Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Seminary
    • Seminary Info
    • Fall 2023 Classes
    • GES Seminary Curriculum
    • GES Seminary Faculty
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
Is It Enough to Believe That Jesus CAN Save Me? 

Is It Enough to Believe That Jesus CAN Save Me? 

June 12, 2023 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Assurance of Salvation, Jesus’ ability vs. His guarantee

Chris asks a great question:

If I believe that Jesus has the power to give me everlasting life, is that the same as believing that He is the Giver of everlasting life (because I believe He has the power to give me everlasting life)? The Scripture says that all who believe Jesus is the Giver of everlasting life have everlasting life, right? So I was wondering if I have everlasting life because I believe that Jesus has the power to give me everlasting life.

I’ve heard a number of variations on that question. It boils down to whether we need to believe that Jesus can give us everlasting life because we believe in Him or whether He has given us everlasting life because we believe in Him. In the first case, we don’t know where we’re going when we die, but we know that Jesus can save us if He wishes. We just don’t know whether He will save us. In the second case, we’re sure we’ll be with Him forever because He can save all who believe in Him and guarantees that He will. His guarantee is better than the U.S. government’s FDIC guarantee.

Chris lacks assurance of his eternal destiny: “So I was wondering if I have everlasting life…”

He alludes to John 4:10 when he speaks of Jesus being “the Giver of everlasting life.” Chris needs to notice that John 4:10 has two elements that we must believe, not just one. Not only must we believe that Jesus is the Giver; we must also believe that He gives the Gift of God, which is everlasting life, to all who drink the living water—that is, to all who believe in Him for that Gift (John 4:14).

The woman at the well thought that Jesus was offering a special type of water that would mean she’d never need to draw or drink physical water again (John 4:15). She understood the permanent aspect of the living water. But she did not yet understand that He was talking about His own life (John 11:25; 14:6), which He imparts to the believer. That life, when received, can never be lost. In order to have the Gift of God—everlasting life that can never be lost—she had to believe that it is guaranteed to the believer.

I urge Chris, and all who lack assurance, to ask God to guide them into the truth. Don’t just ask once. Ask repeatedly (see Luke 18:1-8; see also Matt 7:7-11). And while you’re at it, read the Gospel of John, the only evangelistic book in the Bible (John 20:30-31). It is designed to lead people to assurance of their eternal destinies (e.g., John 3:16; 5:24; 6:35, 37, 39-40, 47; 11:25-27).

Believing that Jesus has the power, authority, and ability to give everlasting life is great. But that is not the same as believing in Him for the gift of God. You must also believe that He guarantees everlasting life to all who believe in Him for that gift.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Bob_W

by Bob Wilkin

Bob Wilkin (ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Founder and Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. He lives in Highland Village, TX with his wife, Sharon. His latest books are Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses and Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

September 26, 2023

Is It Possible that Charles Templeton Is With the Lord Even Though He Died an Atheist?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about eternal security and especially the extent of eternal...
September 26, 2023

You Can Believe the Small Things Too (Luke 1:18) 

When Gabriel told Zacharias that he and his wife would have a son, and that the son would be John the Baptist, I find Zacharias’...
September 25, 2023

Were Old Testament Saints and Will Tribulation Saints Be Sealed by the Holy Spirit? Are Roman Catholics Saved?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates are answering a question about the ministries of the Holy Spirit toward redeemed...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Elisabeth: Christ's Medal of Honor Recipient $11.95 $10.00
  • Six Secrets of the Christian Life (Second Edition, Includes Study Questions) $6.00 $4.00
  • Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses $15.00 $10.00
  • Tough Texts: Did Jesus Teach Salvation by Works? $15.00 $10.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube