Layers Of Assurance

1 John 2:3
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.

Romans 8:16
The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

Do you have the assurance that you are one of God's children, forgiven of your sin, and headed to be with him in heaven when you pass from this life? This assurance does come in layers, but is it there? There is a kind of assurance that comes logically by inference through the words in the Bible. There is an assurance by examining the fruits of the Spirit in your life. And there is an assurance that makes direct contact with your soul, which is experiential.

We read "believe on the Lord and you shall be saved." We say, ’I believe, therefore I am saved.’ We look at the fruit of our lives as well to bring our hearts assurance. We read 1 John 2:3, we examine our lives with what the Bible states about obedience and say, ’my life accords with Jesus’ commands, therefore I am saved.’

There is another kind of assurance that comes experientially by the direct movement of the Holy Spirit. It is an inward testimony from God that assures you that you are indeed adopted as one of Gods children. The text does not say it is a strong emotion that may come during moving music at Church. It does not say it is an audible voice. It is an inward testimony.

Do you have all three layers of assurance that you are a Christian? I hope that if you say no, you will earnestly seek the Lord until he is found.