8 Marks of Genuine Salvation, Pt 1, Faith That Works

Do you ever worry about whether or not you are saved? Have their been seasons of doubt and concern for your standing with God? Can a person really know what they have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life in Jesus? In the section we are moving into now the Apostle gives thanks for the Thessalonian believers. He gives reasons for why he and his companions pray for and thank God for them. But as we give close attention we see that there is more at work in this prayer. 

Michael W. Holmes: “Thanksgiving, however, is not the only thing going on here. In the course of his prayer, Paul explains why he is thankful; thus on a second level, the passage provides us with important details about the founding of the Thessalonian congregation. This thankful remembrance of the church’s early history in turn, on yet a third level, serves to praise and confirm the Thessalonians, and thus encourage and reinforce the behaviors Paul is praising. Clearly, this is a complex and multifunctional …prayer report.” TNAC, p. 47.

I agree with Dr. Holmes that there are multiple levels of action and thought going on in this prayer of thanksgiving from Paul. It is apparent that the whole idea, even the prayer itself, is for the purpose of affirming the salvation of these believers. The Apostle gives thanks because the marks of genuine salvation are present in the life and conversion of the Thessalonians Christians. Contrary to the belief of some it is possible to know that you are saved. Listen to a few portions of Scripture that teach that assurance of one’s salvation in Jesus is not only possible but encouraged.

• 2 Peter 1:10,11 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV)

• 1 John 2:3–6 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. [4] Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, [5] but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: [6] whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (ESV)

• 1 John 3:7–10 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. [8] Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. [9] No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. [10] By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (ESV)

• 1 John 4:13–15 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. [14] And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. [15] Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (ESV)

• 1 John 5:4–5 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. [5] Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (ESV)

• 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (ESV)