Why Believers Lack Assurance 1

Quite often I have the opportunity to share the gospel with individuals who pray with me to receive Christ and then later I learn that they had already received Him in the past. I try to assure them that it doesn*t matter when they received Him and the important thing is that they HAVE received Him AND that they live for Him. And, of course, we must receive Him at a time when He offers Himself to us, at a time of His choosing.

Isaiah 55:6: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

The question concerns me, Why do saved people doubt their salvation? There are several reasons.

Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Isaiah 32:17: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

One reason for this lack of assurance is that some who receive Christ do not seek God*s righteousness. They have not been serving the Lord. Either that, or they have not truly received Him. One high price to pay for believers not serving the Lord is a lack of assurance. A crucially important thing for individuals to do after they receive Jesus is to desire to do what God wants them to do instead of sinning. They seek and do the work of righteousness. If they do not, it is no wonder that they lack assurance and that others will not be aware that they are believers either.

1 Thessalonians 1:5: For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Paul and his companions demonstrated that the power of the Holy Ghost was working in them and through them and what manner of men they were. All believers sometimes choose to walk in the flesh rather than in righteousness. Our flesh wants to continue sinning and NEVER do what is right. Like Paul, we must strive to keep our bodies (our flesh) under control.

1 Corinthians 9:27: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Galatians 5:16: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Our flesh will always prefer to quench the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Another reason for this lack of assurance is that Satan knows that believers who doubt their own salvation will seldom share the gospel with others. He works hard to convince people who possess eternal life that they do not possess it. I heard of one dear Christian lady who wanted to share the gospel with another individual but wasn*t sure she was saved. She prayed something like this: Lord if I am not saved, save me so I can do this? I have heard of others who prayed similar prayers in similar circumstances. I heard of a man who asked Jesus to save him while driving in his car. He asked himself what just happened and his answer to himself was nothing. But that evening he opened the Bible and began reading it. He said that someone messed with my Bible. I don*t recall his next exact words but the Bible had suddenly begun to make sense to him. That was how he gained assurance that he was saved. It is unusual that an unsaved person would be concerned for the salvation of others. A concern for the salvation of others usually comes along with our own salvation. If we understand how wonderful and secure salvation is we will want others to have it. If we don*t understand how wonderful and secure it is, we will be hesitant to share it with others. Assurance of our salvation is very important and will make us fruitful for the Lord.

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