The Holy Spirit and Assurance

When a person first turns to Christ as their Saviour and Lord they are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is God’s Spirit in us that gives us a sense of belonging to God and his family. Paul wrote,

“ . . . but you have received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15

The Holy Spirit is a communicating Spirit. He reassures those who are committed to obeying the Lord Jesus that we are secure. He also testifies through his people, he wants everyone to know that they can also be God’s children. It is a personal commitment to Christ that admits us to God’s family and at this time God’s Spirit is given to each of us. The evidence that we have the Holy Spirit is the effect he has on us. Jesus had said,

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow out from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” John 7:38-39

How does the Spirit overflow in our lives? Paul answers this:

“That if you confess with your mouths that ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

The presence of the Spirit of God enables us to say ‘Jesus is my Lord, I want to live in a way that pleases him.’ There are very few people who get engaged who are able to keep quiet about it. When we have been saved and put right with God we will want others to understand who Jesus is.