Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:12-14
Confidence of Our Salvation
Intro.
1. Bible Question Box (7/23/25):
“Verses like 1 John 5:13, Hebrews 4:16, 1 John 4:17, and other verses of Scripture indicate that we should have confidence in our salvation.
“However, I – like many
others, I imagine – find myself fearful that there may be aspects of the
Law and of my Faith that I am lacking – either in knowledge, practice,
or both. So,
is this fear productive (in
motivating studies)? Will it change in time? Or am I lacking a greater
‘confidence’ described in God’s word?”
2. Will we choose fear or faith?
I. YES, CHRISTIANS CAN BE CONFIDENT OF OUR SALVATION.
A. “That You May Know,” 1 John 5:11-13.
1. Know (ĕidō): to see, to know—be aware, behold…perceive, be sure, understand (G1492).
a. Perceive that you have eternal life (13).
b. And continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
B. 1 John Was Written So Christians Can Have Full Joy, 1 John 1:4.
1. Joy: An abiding calm. cf. John 14:1.
2. “By this you know:” 1 John 2:3-5 (obey); 2:28-29 (practice righteousness); 3:1-3 (His promise, purify ourselves); 3:14 (love brethren, 3:16-19); 5:12 (have the Son…have life); 5:14-15 (answered prayers).
II. THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION REPLACES FEAR WITH FAITH.
-How to be confident of our salvation.
A. First: Our Confidence of Salvation is in the Lord, Gal. 2:20.
1. Live by faith: Christ lives in you. Confidence is in Him.
2. Rely on God’s grace and mercy that forgives, helps, Heb. 4:16.
B. Second: Love God and Others With All Our Being Removes Fear, Matt. 22:37-39.
-Love casts out fear, 1 John 4:17-19.
C. Third: Growing in Faith Increases Our Confidence and Removes Fear, 2 Pet. 1:5-11. Confidence grows as we grow.
-The results of growth include (1) Bearing fruit (8), (2) A diligent faith that secures you (10), and (3) Entrance into eternal kingdom supplied abundantly (11).
III. FEAR (LACK OF CONFIDENCE) IS DESTRUCTIVE, NOT PRODUCTIVE.
A. Fear (Lack of Confidence) Debilitates and Destroys Faith.
1. Israel at Red Sea, Exod. 14:10-14.
2. 10 spies, Num. 13:32-33 (14:11).
3. Joshua, Josh. 1:6-9 (9).
4. Peter on the water, Matt. 14:27-31.
B. Fear Is Replaced with Confident Faith As We Will Grow in Our Faith (2 Pet. 1:5-11), 1 John 4:17-19.
1. cf. John 14:1-6: Calming assurance (1), comforting promises (2-3), and confident knowledge (4-6).
2. God is at work in you when your faith is at work, Phil. 2:12-13; 1:6 (3-6).
Conclusion
1. The devil plants seeds of doubt that are intended to weaken our faith in the word of Christ that assures our salvation and heavenly inheritance, 1 Pet. 1:3-5.
2. Christians who walk in the light (practice the truth) have fullness of joy and a confident faith that the Lord will save, 1 John 1:4-9.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted August 6, 2025