Assurance or Presumption

In 2017 hurricane Irma came through Florida and many of us evacuated. I went to Tennessee to
stay with my sister. The morning the hurricane hit Tampa where I live, I received a text from a
friend there who was unable to evacuate. She said she was afraid, but she knew God was with her
and that she would not get hurt. I thought to myself that God was with my mother when she drew
her last breath and died. Of course, I did not text my friend back and tell her that God has been
with many people while they drew their last breath.

Just because God is with us does not mean we won’t die. When a storm comes, having faith that
God is with me is one thing, but having faith that I will not die is presumption. After all millions of
people have died in various storms throughout earth’s history. I would have to be a blatant fool to
think I’m a better Christian than millions of other people or even that I have more faith than those
who have died in storms. 

It’s the same when I get in a car. I pray for safety, and I know God is with me. I also know I have
heard testimonies from people who survived a car accident where a loved one died. They say they
too prayed for protection before their trip. A pastor friend of mine was killed in a car accident just a
few Christmases ago. He was in his forties. Am I still alive because I am a better Christian than he
was or because I have more faith? Of course not! To think I have survived storms and car
accidents because I am a faithful Christian is beyond presumption. It is absurd! Millions more
worthy than me have perished in storms and car accidents. I know God is with me regardless of
my fate. While Hebrews celebrates the victories of the faithful it also recognizes the deaths of the
faithful.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still
others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were
stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—  of whom the world was not
worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews
11:35-38 NKJV

Faith is knowing what God has promised. God has promised me eternal life. See Titus 1:2.
Presumption is assuming what God has not promised. God never promised me I would never die
in a storm or car accident. 

So now let’s get to the title of our topic here. How do I know I have the assurance of salvation in
Jesus and am not just being presumptuous that I am saved? Let’s take a look at some Biblical
examples of people in the Bible who were being faithful and those who were just being
presumptuous. 

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works,
and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even
the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without
works is dead? James 2:18-20 NKJV

In the book of James we are taught that true faith will bear the fruits of good works and obedience.
“Faith” that does not bring forth good works and obedience is a presumption which will not make
us any better off than the demons who believe and tremble. 

Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons
were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of
them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the
Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul
preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.  And the evil
spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”  Then the man in
whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that
they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:11-16 NKJV

The sons of Sceva were presumptuous because they did not know Jesus for themselves. By the
way, 1 John 2:4 says if we say we know Jesus but do not obey the commandments that just
makes us liars. We know they did not know Jesus for themselves because they said. “The Jesus
whom Paul preaches.” Paul knew Jesus. They did not. They were being presumptuous thinking
the name of Jesus was a magic word like abracadabra. Jesus and Paul are not magic. They both
got their power from an obedient relationship with the Father. 

In Numbers 10:33-35 Moses sent the ark out before their battles and victories. However when
Israel was in apostasy their faith in the ark turned into presumption, and the ark itself was captured
by the enemy in 1 Samuel 4:1-22. The ark was not magic. The ark was  a symbol of their faith and
obedience toward God. Without obedience the ark had no power for them – much like Samson’s
hair. There was no magic in his hair. His long hair was a sign of his loyalty to God. When he was
no longer loyal to God, the long hair was meaningless. See Judges 13:5. 

Romans 1:5 talks about faith that leads to obedience, and Revelation 14:12 tells us God’s last day
saints will have faith and keep the commandments. True Biblical faith produces obedience. A
supposed “faith’ without obedience is mere presumption. In Matthew 4:5-7 Satan tells Jesus to
jump off a tower and have faith that God would save Him. However there is no command from
God to jump off a tower. Jesus knew that jumping off the tower would not be in accordance with
God’s commands and would not be an obedient faith but mere presumption. By they way, today
we wear seat belts in our cars and masks at church because, while we have faith in God, we were
given no command to be careless and presumptuous with our safety and health. Jesus gave us an
example of using common sense and faith in God at the same time. One does not cancel out the
other. 

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. Hebrews 11:30
NKJV

But a few days later the children of Israel were defeated when disobedience led to presumption.
See Joshua 7:1-26. 

While Romans 1:5 and Revelation 14:12 talk about faith and obedience David links presumption
with sin. 

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over
me. Psalm 19:13 NKJV

Faith is when we claim a promise in the Bible, such as that God is with us. Presumption is when
we claim assurance the Bible never gave us such as I will never die in a storm or car accident. Or
even that I will never get  COVID-19 therefore I do not need to wear a mask or social distance. In
the wilderness Jesus used faith and common sense, and so shall I. 

Faith leads me into good works. Ephesians 2:8-10. Faith leads me into commandment keeping.  Revelation
14:12. Presumption encourages me to carelessness and sin. Psalm 19:13. 

Matthew 7:21-27 teaches me claiming salvation without obeying Jesus is mere presumption. When I put
God’s Word into practice I have the assurance of salvation.