Can I Be Sure I'm Saved? (Crucial Questions, #7)

by R.C. Sproul

making a decision to follow Jesus has never converted anyone.

We get into the kingdom not because we make a decision, walk down an aisle, raise a hand, or sign a card. We get into the kingdom because there is true faith in our hearts.

We need to distinguish between a conversion and a conversion experience.

one of the most dangerous things we can do as Christians is to determine our theology by our experience, because no one’s experience is normative for the Christian life.

We talk about the perseverance of the saints, and I believe that the saints do in fact persevere, but they persevere because they are preserved by God.

To be born again means to be changed by the supernatural operation of God the Holy Spirit. Understanding this is critical for our assurance of salvation.

All professing Christians believe that mankind experienced some kind of a fall and that there’s something wrong with our constituent nature. We all believe that we are corrupt creatures.

It is critical to understand that regeneration is something that the Holy Spirit does that really and truly changes a person; it changes the very disposition of his soul. If a person is truly regenerate and manifests faith, it is impossible for that person not to bring forth some measure of obedience.

When He makes a down payment, the rest will be paid—guaranteed. This is a firm basis for our assurance.