When clouds of doubt block the view of the sunshine of assurance of salvation, it’s a big deal.

First and certainly foremost, eternal destiny is at stake for the one in doubt. To a sincere soul, this is huge. There is a psychological impact because where one will spend eternity matters. Hell is real. There is a sense of foreboding that plagues one who doubts their salvation.

Second, assurance is a big deal because of the loss of joy in salvation for a believer in doubt. The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Fear arising from doubt troubles the soul; peace and joy depart. The troubling effect hinders a joyful walk with the Lord.

Third, lack of assurance is a big deal because when you leave the ground of faith you leave the ground of victory. Faith is the victory because faith accesses the indwelling Christ who is our life and victory. The victory that overcomes the world is faith (1 John 5:4), and God gives the victory through Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:57). To doubt means losing confidence in your salvation, and this affects confidence in accessing Jesus because of the uncertainty over whether you even have Jesus. Therefore, one is left susceptible to being overcome by the world instead of overcoming through faith.

Lack of assurance is a big deal. From time to time, people who have struggled with this have communicated with me, and some of these conversations have been quite drawn out. This is understandable given the toll incurred from doubt. Much is at stake; it’s a big deal!

Next, we will consider causes of doubt.

John Van Gelderen

John Van Gelderen

Post Author