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

by R.C. Sproul

we not only can know today that we are in a state of grace, but that we can have full assurance that we still will be in a state of grace at the times of our deaths.

Jesus says that His true brother is the one who does the will of the Father, not one who simply makes a decision to follow Him.

The only works of righteousness that serve to justify a sinner are the works of Christ. So when we say that we are justified by faith alone, we mean that we are justified by Christ alone, by His works; our works do not count toward our justification.

True faith that connects us to Christ always manifests itself in works, and if there are no works on the right side of the equation, that tells us there is no faith on the left side of the equation. Sadly, if there is no faith on the left side of the equation, then there is no justification on the right side of the equation.

it is not a decision that converts a person; it is the power of the Holy Spirit that does so. 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.

Assurance of truth claims operates on a broad continuum.

if a person thinks he has faith but lacks confidence that Jesus Christ is saving him, does he really have faith at all?

We have to determine our theology from the Word of God, not from what we feel.

Paul is telling us in Romans 1 that people do not have to be exposed to biblical preaching to be aware of their lost condition. Through God's natural revelation, as God writes His law on the hearts of people and implants His Word in the human mind by way of conscience, people know that they are culpable for their behavior and that they are out of fellowship with their Creator.