"The first Divine movement for the salvation of an individual, after the prayer of intercession by the Spirit, is illumination by the Spirit." (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer, Satan)

The child of God was saved from the guilt and penalty of sin when he believed!

THIS IS A VERY HUMBLING, and at the same time, a very blessed word to the true disciple.  It was very humbling to the disciples to be told that they had not chosen Christ.  Your wants were so many, your hearts were so hard, that ye have not chosen me. And yet it was exceedingly comforting to the disciples to be told that he had chosen them: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you'.  This showed them that his love was first with them — that he had a love for them when they were dead. And then he showed them that it was love that would make them holy: 'Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.'

Gospel Light OR Gospel-lite Our understanding is totally dependent upon the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit NOT intellectual prowess. Therefore, we are without excuse and misunderstanding is no longer an option.

What is the Gospel?  How can I be saved?

"Don't talk don't fool don't try to mess around I'll make a monkey outta you You sign your name right on that dotted line boy I'll be damned" AC DC

There are a great many in this world who possess a faith which is so similar to a genuine saving faith that they themselves are deceived.

 Another reason for lack of assurance is that we tend to trust our feelings rather than the Word of God.

Many believers lack assurance. Since we live in a performance oriented society, we often transfer this expectation from the world into our religious expectations. The problem with this expecation is that "our salvation is not based upon our own performance, but on our relationship to Jesus Christ." (Billy Graham)