Let us read 1 Corinthians 12:3.
“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
People often want to know for certain whether they are truly saved. If we have a clear assurance that we are children of God, we will not consider it a loss to give ourselves for the gospel. Rather, we will regard it as an honor. Serving God will become a source of true joy and happiness.
The apostle John also wrote to the church:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
This verse shows us that even those who already believe in Jesus may sometimes lack assurance that they have eternal life.
Scripture gives us several ways by which we may have assurance of our salvation. One of them is our confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins. This is because understanding and believing the gospel of forgiveness cannot take place apart from God’s help.
Second Corinthians 6:2 says:
“For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
He Hath Abounded Toward Us in All Wisdom and Prudence
Some people think that they can believe in Jesus whenever they choose. But it is not that simple. Those who think this way do not understand how cunningly the devil works to keep the human heart in darkness.
The devil thoroughly deceives people so that they will not believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore, Scripture says:
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Therefore, a person needs God’s help in order to be saved. Let us look at Ephesians 1:7–9.
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” (Ephesians 1:7–9)
There is an important statement here:
“Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will.” (Ephesians 1:8–9)
It is difficult for us to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ through our own wisdom alone. God must give us wisdom and understanding. Therefore, the fact that we have come to understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins shows that we did not discover it merely through our own ability; God made it known to us.
Jesus asked His disciples:
“But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)
Peter answered:
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Then Jesus said to Peter:
“Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17)
Peter came to understand that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, because God revealed it to him.
In the same way, if we have come to understand the mystery of the gospel—that through the blood of Jesus Christ we have received the forgiveness of sins—it is because God has made it known to us.
Therefore, Scripture says:
“No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
In His Son
People often think that they must first receive forgiveness and become holy before they can enter into Christ. But Scripture presents it differently. Let us look at Colossians 1:13–14.
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13–14)
There is an important phrase here:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14)
Scripture says that we have received the forgiveness of sins “in” the Son.
God delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. And in His Son, He gave us wisdom and understanding so that we might understand the gospel of the forgiveness of sins.
Therefore, the fact that we have received forgiveness does not merely mean that our sins have been taken away. It also shows that we are already in Christ.
Those Who Have Obtained Mercy
God desires that all people should be saved. Yet not everyone is saved. Salvation comes through the mercy of God. Romans 9:15–16 says:
“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” (Romans 9:15–16)
The Bible tells us of many people who received mercy from Jesus. When we look carefully at them, we find that they were not those who considered themselves healthy and therefore had no need of a physician. They were like the sick who knew they needed a physician.
What do we see when we look at ourselves?
We are ignorant, and yet we are also proud. We may seem to be people far removed from deserving the mercy of God. Nevertheless, we have received the forgiveness of sins.
That means we have received the mercy of God.
Therefore, when we can confess that all our sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ, it is powerful evidence that we have received God’s mercy, have been brought into Christ, and now belong to Him.
As Scripture says:
“For all men have not faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:2)
The confession that we have received the forgiveness of sins is not something that comes naturally to everyone. It is possible because God, in His mercy, has made the gospel known to us and has brought us to faith in Jesus Christ.