Certainty

A sure knowledge or conviction that what is believed is true and trustworthy. Christian certainty does not arise from the credulity of the believer, but is based on the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God.

Affirmations and statements of certainty

Job 19:25 See also Joshua 23:14; Psalm 27:3; Daniel 3:17; Mark 5:28 parallel Matthew 9:21; Luke 1:3–4; Romans 8:38–39; Philippians 3:8; 1 John 5:18–20

But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.

Certainty in God

Because of his character

Hebrews 6:18 See also Numbers 23:19–20; Deuteronomy 7:9–10, Deuteronomy 32:3–4; 2 Samuel 7:28; Psalm 18:30–31; Isaiah 26:4

Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.

Because his promises are confirmed

Hebrews 6:16–19 See also Romans 15:8

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument. So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

His intervention encourages certainty

Judges 6:36–40 See also Exodus 16:6–8, Exodus 33:12–23; Joshua 3:9–13; 1 Kings 18:36–39

Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew — a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew.” And that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground.

Jesus Christ's certainty about his identity and mission

John 13:3 See also Mark 8:31 parallels Matthew 16:21, Luke 9:22; John 10:14–18, John 14:6–11

Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.

Certainty and the believer

Certainty about who Jesus Christ is

2 Timothy 1:12 See also Matthew 16:16 parallels Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20; John 11:27, John 20:28–29, John 21:24

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.

Certainty of salvation

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 See also Romans 4:16, Romans 8:31–39; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 6:18–19; 1 John 4:13

Now it is God who establishes both us and you in Christ. He anointed us, placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of what is to come.

Certainty gained through obedience

1 John 2:3–6 See also Matthew 7:24–27 parallel Luke 6:46–49

By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

Certainty in prayer

1 John 5:14–15 See also Matthew 7:7–11 parallel Luke 11:9–13; Matthew 18:19–20, Matthew 21:21–22 parallel Mark 11:22–24; John 14:13–14

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

An area of permissible uncertainty

Mark 13:32–37 See also Acts 1:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–2

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return — whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!”