As Scripture makes clear, perseverance in the faith is not guaranteed, yet personal assurance of salvation is attainable – ultimately communicated by the Holy Spirit witnessing with our spirit437; the Holy Spirit being given to us to enable our hearts to become filled with love for God, and others438. Paul’s reference to the “love of God poured out in the heart” is a genitive of origin. It refers not so much to God’s love for us or ours for Him but to the impartation of the divine quality of love439 engrafted by the Spirit such that we come to love
others more as God loves them440. It is in the context of partaking of the divine nature by which we come to possess more of what God possesses: especially holiness aligned with love; God being love and thrice holy. Loving the Lord in our hearts, thrilled by His goodness and coming ourselves to possess the love of the Father towards the rest of humanity, we may be confident we are being saved and heading for victory. Yet even this is subjective; assurance of salvation in Scripture is more often expressed in terms of actions rather than feelings:
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him” and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this
we know we are in (Christ)” 441
“We know we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.
He who does not love his brother remains in death”442
435 Heb10:26-29
436 1Cor3:11-13
437 Rom8:16
438 Rom5:5
439 Cf. Jn17:26
440 1Jn2:5 cf. v15 “those not having the love of the Father within them”
441 1Jn2:3-5
442 1Jn3:14 – the expression “remains in death” again affirms “death” (like eternal life) refers to a current state – not “going to hell (or heaven) when you die”
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“Little children let no one deceive you: he who practices righteousness is
righteous, just as He is righteous”443
Truly, personal righteousness must wholeheartedly be pursued and practiced. As for the reality of one’s faith, anyone may extol the Being whom they believe is going to bless them eternally. John confirms that all who claim to love God will demonstrate it by their love for humanity444 and by keeping God’s commandments, the heart of which is love for neighbour. That is Christ’s commandment, and it is not burdensome445.