Hope of salvation does not mean the hope that at last we will be saved. A person can know today that he is saved and going to heaven. The person who confidently says, “I know I am saved!” is not exhibiting pride; he is demonstrating faith in God’s Word. First John was written to help us know that we are saved.

Hope of salvation means “the hope that salvation gives to us.” There are actually three tenses to salvation: (1) past—I have been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin; (2) present—I am being saved from the power and pollution of sin; (3) future—I will be saved from the very presence of sin when Christ returns. The blessed hope of our Lord’s return is the “hope of salvation.”

Yes, you may know: “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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

Other Scripture: 1 John 5:10; John 5:24; Ephesians 2:8-9.

Action assignment: Find the song “I Know Whom I Have Believed” and sing it. Thank God that you don’t have to guess whether you are His.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in