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July 15, 2024

What Is the Foundation for Healthy, Spiritual Growth?

Dr. Jason Neill

Scripture reading: John 3:16; 5:24

How would you answer this question? Some might respond by saying, “Bible study is the foundation for healthy, spiritual growth. You can’t grow up spiritually if you don’t know what God says in the Bible.” Others might say, “prayer is the foundation for healthy, spiritual growth. Growing in the spiritual life is a matter of relationship which is cultivated through prayer. If you never talk to God, why would you expect to grow?” Still, others may comment, “evangelism is the foundation for healthy, spiritual growth. Our faith needs to be active versus stale and how we achieve that goal is by sharing our faith with others.”

These are all interesting answers; however, I am going to suggest a different foundation than the ones mentioned above. Of course, I would not argue with the need for Bible study, prayer, or evangelism. Those are essentials for a Christian’s growth. Nevertheless, I am going to suggest something you may not have considered.

I think the foundation for spiritual growth for every believer is the assurance of our salvation (certainty that we possess everlasting life, certainty that we will go to Heaven when we die). There is a reason I suggest this is the foundation for healthy, spiritual growth. If a person isn’t certain they are a Christian (e.g., they possess everlasting life), then they will constantly be preoccupied with making sure this issue is settled. If this issue isn’t settled in their minds, then it is hard to grow in faith. For instance, they may say a prayer multiple times to “be sure.” They may walk an aisle at every opportunity; however, they still struggle with whether they possess everlasting life. Unfortunately, these methods never provide long term relief. Oh, it may bring temporary relief but then their worries pop back up regarding their eternal destiny. The word “plagued” by this concern may seem strong; however, for some people it clearly pictures their inward struggle for assurance. It seems they can’t find any peace regarding the most important thing in life.

The following thoughts characterize those that struggle with assurance of their salvation:

“I don’t remember the date I became a Christian. Does that mean I’m not His?”

“I said a prayer, but I am not sure I did it right. Maybe I need to pray again.”

“I don’t feel like I’m a Christian. Does that mean I’m going to Hell?”

More reasons could be provided, but you get the picture. Let’s address these errors in order. First, John 3:16 does NOT read as follows, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him AND KNOWS THE DATE shall not perish but have eternal life.” When the Bible provides assurance of salvation it always goes back to a fact not a date. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (NIV). The fact is believing in Him for everlasting life. If you are believing in Jesus alone, not the good things you’ve done, not money you’ve given to charity, nor any other good thing you would point to, for everlasting life, then you have it (e.g., everlasting life) the moment you believe. Our assurance is based on the objective promises of God in the Bible. Our assurance is based on something objective (the promises of God in the Bible) not something subjective (remembering a specific date).

Second, saying a prayer never saved anyone. Although it is popular to talk about praying the sinner’s prayer, it isn’t Biblical. There is no example in the Bible of a person praying to receive everlasting life. The sole condition for receiving everlasting life is faith alone (e.g., believe) in Christ alone for what He promises. We can tell God, via prayer, we are believing in Jesus for everlasting life; however, prayer is only a means to tell God what we are doing. The prayer does not save us; Christ saves us. So, our assurance is not based on us doing something (e.g., praying, walking an aisle, etc.). Our assurance is based on the objective promises of God in the Bible. Our assurance is based on something objective (the promises in the Bible) not something subjective (saying the “right” words in a prayer).

Third, assurance of our salvation is not based on our feelings. In seminary, I had a chaplain who had a great sense of humor. He would jokingly tell me and fellow seminary students he “didn’t start walking with Jesus until after his first cup of coffee.” His point was clear. We may not always “feel” like Christians, but our assurance isn’t based on how we feel. We may even feel we have everlasting life because of doing good works (e.g., praying for someone, giving our time to encourage someone, donating money to a Christian cause, etc.); however, those feelings cannot provide assurance of our salvation. Again, our assurance is based on the objective promises of God in the Bible. Our assurance is based on something objective (the promises of God in the Bible) not something subjective (our feelings).

The one question you must answer to know if you possess everlasting life is this: Have I believed in Jesus alone for everlasting life? If the answer is “yes,” then you can rest on the promises of God found in the Bible that you possess everlasting life, your eternal destiny is secure, and you are on your way to Heaven (see John 5:24). Assurance, like salvation, is by faith alone in Christ alone.

It may be helpful to set aside some time and review the following passages that speak about God’s promises: John 1:12; 3:16, 18, 36; 4:14; 5:24; 6:35; 6:47; 10:9, 28; 11:25-26; 12:50; 13:10; 20:30-31; 1 Timothy 1:15-16; 1 John 2:25