I can’t give you assurance of salvation. I can’t say, “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti, you are saved.” Only the Holy Spirit can give you that assurance.
You must pray for assurance. You must have a proper understanding of the gospel. Have you come to Jesus? Have you believed in Him—and in Him alone—for your salvation? Do you believe that anything you do is going to contribute to your salvation? Do you look to anyone else but Jesus for your salvation? Has anything in your life changed that might suggest you have been born again and have a new heart? Where do you find your greatest sense of joy?
An indicator could be that oftentimes there is something about worshiping Jesus. There is something about reading the Scriptures. There is something about being in church surrounded by believers that gives you a sense of fulfillment and helps you know who you are in a way the world never could.
Pray for assurance. At the same time, the Westminster Confession of Faith tells us that God may withdraw assurance for a season to make you long for it more, to make you cry out Him more, and perhaps even to humble you for a season.
This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with Derek Thomas and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.