Assurance, nature of

The God-given security which believers have in the blessings of divine grace. Believers are assured of the unfailing love of God and of their relationship with him as Father, the salvation and eternal life which he offers and the sure hope of one day sharing his glory.

Assurance of a relationship with God

Assurance of God's unfailing love

Psalm 13:5 See also Exodus 15:13; Psalm 51:1, Psalm 130:7–8; Isaiah 54:10; John 13:1; 1 John 4:9

But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.

Assurance of acceptance by God

Acts 15:8; Romans 5:1, Romans 14:3, Romans 15:7

Assurance of adoption as God's children

1 John 3:1–3 See also John 1:12–13; Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 4:6; James 1:18; 1 John 4:7, 1 John 5:1

Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.

Assurance of God's presence

Deuteronomy 31:8 See also Genesis 28:15; Joshua 3:7; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 1:8; Matthew 28:20; John 14:18; Acts 18:10

The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Assurance of access to God

Ephesians 3:12 See also Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19–22

In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.

Assurance of salvation

Isaiah 12:2 See also Psalm 69:13

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Assurance of election

Isaiah 43:1; Ephesians 1:4 See also Isaiah 44:1–2; Romans 8:28–30, Romans 11:29; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:9–10

But now, this is what the LORD says— He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

Assurance of preservation

2 Timothy 1:12; Jude 1:24 See also John 6:39; Romans 8:38–39; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25; 2 Peter 1:10

For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy —

Assurance of eternal life

John 3:15–16; 1 John 5:11–13 See also Matthew 19:29 parallels Mark 10:30, Luke 18:30; John 5:24, John 6:40, John 11:25–26, John 17:2; 1 John 1:2, 1 John 5:20

that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Assurance of a future hope

Assurance of confidence at Jesus Christ's return

Matthew 24:30–31 parallels Mark 13:26–27, Luke 21:27–28; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17

Assurance on the day of judgment

1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 John 4:17

Assurance in the hope of resurrection

John 6:40; 1 Corinthians 15:42–44; Philippians 3:21

Assurance in the hope of glory

Romans 8:18 See also Romans 5:2; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Peter 5:10; Revelation 5:10

I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

Assurance in the hope of an eternal inheritance

Romans 8:17 See also Matthew 25:34; Galatians 4:7; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:3–5

And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Assurance in the hope of an eternal reward

Matthew 5:12 parallel Luke 6:23; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; James 1:12