Assured: Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation

by Greg Gilbert

Despite our professions of belief, our baptisms, and our membership in the church, many of us secretly wonder, Am I truly saved? We worry that our love for Jesus isn't fervent enough (or isn't as fervent as someone else's). We worry that our faith isn't strong enough. We struggle through the continuing presence of sin in our lives. All this steals the joy of our salvation and can lead us into a life characterized by legalism, perfectionism, and works righteousness--the very life Jesus freed us from at the cross!

But Greg Gilbert has a message for the anxious believer--be assured. Assured that your salvation experience was real. Assured that your sins--past, present, and future--are forgiven. Assured that everyone stumbles. Assured that Jesus is not your judge but your advocate. With deep compassion, Gilbert comforts readers, encouraging them to release their guilt, shame, and anxiety to rejoice in and follow hard after the One who set them free.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Audiobook, Counselling, Christianity, Nonfiction

154 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Greg Gilbert (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of What Is the Gospel?, James: A 12-Week Study, and Who Is Jesus?, and is the co-author (with Kevin DeYoung) of What Is the Mission of the Church?.

Reviews

[Libby Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book packed some powerful punches, some that I certainly needed to hear when I read it.
Assured convicts, but also comforts with the truth of Scripture. It clarifies the heart of doubt and where we go to fix it, offering a Biblical understanding of assurance of salvation in easy-to-read language and in a conversational style, without sacrificing the Truth.

It also fit nicely with The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters, which I read only a week or so before. Gilbert references a key part of The Whole Christ a few times throughout, and the two reads together provided for a well-rounded exploration on the character of God and the nature of his salvation.

Highly recommended.

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!

Over years of being a Christian, assurance has probably been my biggest issue to wrestle with. I’m a naturally introspective guy who also can be excessively desirous of things like certainty and clarity. It’s been helpful in some areas and detrimental in others, assurance being one. Reasons being, we often as humans gauge certainty using our sense perception. But Christianity is matter of faith, which fundamentally assumes that we hope and trust in something (or Someone) we can’t see, or touch…yet! Hence why faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Questions and doubts often arise though like:
- have I believed enough?
- is my faith strong enough?
- is my obedience good enough?
- why do I still struggle with this or that sin?
- am I really Christian if I still fell so weak and immature sometimes?

A clear red flag in those scenarios is: you’ve flipped what faith is all about by turning inward on yourself. True faith is fundamentally outward focused, with the strength, sufficiency, and power coming from the “object” of your faith, not the quality or quantity of your faith.
In other words, we’re safe and secure by believing in Jesus, not by believing in our own believing.

One of the most encouraging and practical books on the topic of assurance of salvation. Greg Gilbert is adept at not only handling the relevant scriptures but also pastorally wise in how he deals with sensitive questions, doubts, and objections people have.
He very carefully, pastorally, and helpfully handles topics like:

- the grounds of assurance being the character and promises of God
- the healthy use of fruits and evidences
- the proper and improper understanding of good works
- how to deal with besetting sins

All in all, highly recommend for this essential discussion!

[Michael Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that comes directly from a pastor's heart. It spoke directly to my situation: again and again the author anticipated my questions when I had barely framed them in my mind. And it's Christ-centred, gospel-orientated food and balm for the soul. Highly recommended.

[Eric Durso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very good.

[Matt Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this Greg Gilbert’s best book? It might be.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best theological books I’ve read. So much is packed into this short book. Strongly recommend to any Christian; it’s full of things we often need to be reminded of.

[Becca Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars
I found this to be an interesting and thought-provoking read. There is plenty of gleam from this regardless of where you are at personally when it comes to assurance of salvation. I know of people who have been going to church for years, were active in ministry, and showed a great amount of fruit, unable to sleep at night while wrestling over the assurance of their salvation. On the flip side, I've seen people who have almost never attended church, never picked up a Bible, and don't appear to wrestle with their sin, proclaim that they have no doubts that they will be going to heaven. When it comes to salvation there is a healthy amount of self-examination that should be done, but our focus in that examination needs to be looking to Jesus and not anything of ourselves. Yes, there are evidences of faith, but they do not make or break it. At the end of the day the only way we can have salvation is through Jesus Christ our Savior. Regardless of where people are in their walk, there is something for everyone to learn from and meditate on.

Personally I found this to be both an encouraging and convicting read. It encourages the reader that Jesus desired us to find rest in him and assurance for our salvation as the scriptures affirm. At the same point, we are to realize that while works may be an evidence of faith, there is nothing we can do before or after we become a believer that could have any weight on that. It really resonated to me how this book worked through this.

I got a lot out of this book and found it useful not only for myself but also as a means to help others. As someone who works with the youth at church, it's not uncommon to hear young teens talk about their struggles with assurance. This book provided many tools to help them work through those thoughts and help them to find rest in their relationship with Jesus instead of more anxiety. This is absolutely a study that I find to be worth the read.

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Books Publishing. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve asked the question. Perhaps you’re haunted by it now. “How do I really know I’m saved?” In this brilliant new book, Greg Gilbert cuts through the fog of confusion surrounding our questions—and fears—related to assurance. Bristling with cinematic imagery and clear-eyed biblical reflection, ‘Assured’ will re-anchor you, believer, on Christ the solid rock. All other ground is sinking sand.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assured was such a good read! I listened to the audio version, but definitely plan on rereading the print/digital version, as there are quotes I want to remember. I can't choose a favorite chapter, as each chapter was good and I found myself eager to keep reading.

I loved how this book was written and it was a deep read. It's a shorter read, but one I highly recommend. I loved how it was written in an easy to understand way. I think all Christians struggle with assurance of salvation at times and I think this book is a great read.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

[Nicholas Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not only one of the best books I’ve read this year, but one of the best I’ve ever read. Ever.

I’m not someone who struggles with assurance of my salvation (any more) so I truly wish I had this several years ago when I was deep in anguish, but the way Pastor Gilbert words things and draws out the biblical understanding is both power and captivating. It was difficult to stop reading when I needed to, but kept me thinking long after I set it down. While there was much to chew on, it was not difficult to grasp.

100% recommend. One of the strongest recommendations I can give.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Assured by Greg Gilbert to be a very interesting read and one that I think most Christian readers will be able to relate to. The book is broken down into 9 chapters dealing with different topics related to assurance. Chapter 5, The Undermining of Assurance: The Lies We Believe, was one of the my favorite chapters and contained 4 common lies that Christians might believe about God. I found the explanations in this chapter to be really interesting and relatable. Throughout the book, the author uses Biblical Scripture to reinforce the message that he is writing to readers. Overall, I found the book to be really enjoyable and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Thank you to the publisher, Baker Books, for sending me a review copy of this book.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply encouraging.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Am I truly saved?

When I was a child, I prayed "the sinner's prayer" many times wondering if it had really "worked". Truth be told, "Am I saved?" is a good question to ask. After all, Paul encourages his readers to:

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

The author of Hebrews also warns his readers about falling away from the faith. It was this author who put the fear of God into me a little more than a decade ago as our pastors preached through that book. I was sure that I currently believed that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I wanted to follow him, but I wondered how I could be sure that I would continue to believe. How could I be sure I would never fall away like some of my other friends had over the years? The thought still brings tears to my eyes, but I have far greater assurance these days than I did when these questions first plagued me. Thankfully, my pastors wisely worked through my questions alongside me, directing me to the Word of God where I would find a rock solid foundation for my faith and for assurance of my salvation, but what about those who don't have this luxury?

Greg Gilbert's book, Assured: Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation, addresses some of the same questions that troubled me years ago and then some. Again and again, Gilbert demonstrates how the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the promises of God provide a firm foundation for Christian assurance, "fountainheads from which our sense of certainty of our salvation erupts" (20). Gilbert faithfully unpacks Scripture passages that reveal the role of good works with regard to assurance (including ways we might misuse this tool) and speaks of the witness of the Holy Spirit as the seal of a believer's salvation. Further, Gilbert discusses ways to strengthen assurance or regain it if it's been lost (19).

Truth be told, much of this ground has been covered in previously published titles, but Gilbert also includes a helpful chapter on lies we tend to believe that undermine assurance and another especially encouraging chapter on besetting sins which make this title a unique and valuable contribution to the discussion. Gilbert's writing is accessible, edifying, and utilizes memorable illustrations. I'm happy to commend it to any who find themselves wrestling with this subject or seeking to minister to others who are.

*Many thanks to Baker Books for sending me a complimentary copy of Assured! These are my honest thoughts. I'm praying Assured brings fresh warning and conviction where needed and lead to the peace the surpasses all understanding for those who are trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ for their salvation!

[Kristopher Schaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, excellent book on the topic. Theologically precise but still accessible and pastorally sensitive.

This book helped me distinguish between the driving source of assurance (the character and promises of God) and the confirming source of assurance (the fruit of good works).

I remember asking a friend once, “So salvation is by faith, but assurance is based on our works, right?” This book helped me to see that that is wrong thinking. Certainly, our works play a part, but if works become the driving force of assurance, we slide into a works gospel.

The key to assurance is to look not to myself but to Christ. Look to Christ.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilbert does a great job explaining how the primary basis of our assurance of salvation is found in: 1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and 2. The Promises of God.

The Gospel as Our Primary Means of Assurance:
He states "...the gospel of Jesus Christ is the first source of Christian assurance. Because at every step it calls us to recognize our own spiritual bankruptcy and to put our trust in Jesus, who irrevocably secures our access to God's presence. As long as we're trying to prove that we're acceptable to God by making ourselves less sinful, making ourselves more worthy of what Christ did for us, or making sure our faith is up to some acceptable standard of size or strength, our assurance will collapse as fast as we can build it. Why? Because we'll never be anything less than catastrophically sinful. Because we'll never be remotely worthy of Christ's love and work."

Even our faith is often weak. But as Tim Keller states - “It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you. Strong faith in a weak branch is fatally inferior to weak faith in a strong branch.”

But Gilbert reminds us that "...if we hear the call of the gospel, recognize our own helpless sinfulness, and trust in Christ's promise to save hopeless sinners, assurance will begin to take root - not in the sand of our own struggle to be acceptable, but in the rock of his own infinite trustworthiness and value."

God's Promises as a Primary Means of Assurance:
Our sense of assurance and confidence in our salvation depends on the strength of our trust in God to keep his promises. We must remember that 1) God promises to save everyone who comes to Jesus Christ in faith; and 2) God's promise to make sure none of those who come to him are finally lost.

Gilbert also touches on several other topics including lies that undermine assurance, fruits of obedience, and besetting sins - all the while reminding the reader to continually place his eyes on the finished work of Christ as the primary means of assurance.

[David J. Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastoral, careful with the use of Scripture, and excels in gospel clarity. As it turns out gospel clarity does away with a lot of the problems surrounding assurance.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Christians know, with certainty, that they are saved? God says yes, they can. Gilbert uses this book to guide readers through the often misunderstood and confusing paths of assurance. He divides assurance into three basic components: direct (the promises of God and the atoning work of Christ), supernatural (the witness of the Spirit), and confirming (the fruit of the Spirit evident in the works of Christians' lives). Using helpful analogies and illustrations, Gilbert shows why certain aspects of assurance carry more weight than others and highlights common errors to avoid.

Gilbert's reliance on Scripture to draw these conclusions is a strength of this book. Struggling with assurance is, in some cases, an echo of Eden's "Did God really say?" and the repeated appeals to the Word of God in these pages is a resounding, "Yes, God really did say." Gilbert also lays out the main premise of the book in an easy to follow format and the chapters smoothly build on one another.

Though referenced here, I would have liked a bit more on the role God's adoption of us plays in our assurance. Also, while no fault of the author, this is the kind of book that would greatly benefit from a Scripture Index to allow quicker reference and interaction from those who return to this resource. And return they should. Most Christians will face questions of assurance more than once in their walks with Christ. When those moments occur, Gilbert's book will remain a timely help for troubled hearts.

[EAM · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will start by saying this book is relatively straightforward and easy to read/follow. The book is well organized and if this genre of book is your cup of tea (which it wasn't mine), then I think you could find it a good book to go back and reference as you need.

Unfortunately, my rating stems from the lack of connection I have to the material. I consider myself a Christian and so when I received this book as a giveaway, I was hoping that I could at least find something to 'connect' with and find some advice that would resonate. However, not having experience with 'pastoral ministry' meant that from the moment I picked up the book, I felt like I was reading a foreign language. Nothing about the book's description made me think that this book was for a specific sect of Christianity, so perhaps the marketing for the book could be improved. Alternatively, the author could make an effort from the beginning to connect better with readers that may be outside of his typical readership...I think that would probably improve the point that Gilbert is hoping for - to reach a diverse and wide readership (isn't that what all authors hope for?).

For the sake of writing as thorough and fair of review as possible, I did my best to get through the book's material (perhaps also looking for at least a few points that I could relate with), but alas was disappointed on that front.

[Joel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you questioning the gift of salvation that is yours through Jesus Christ? Are you worried that you can act in such a way as to lose God's favor? Have you experienced ongoing doubts regarding God's commitment to His promise of grace? If this describes you, then it would be of great benefit for you to read "Assured" by Greg Gillbert. In this concise look at God, His character and how His character connects to the gift of salvation through grace, Gilbert offers encouragement and a full understanding of assurance. Of great value in this text is the reminder that God consistently keeps His promises-particularly the promise of grace for the broken, yet repentant sinner. In addition, Gilbert explores the role of The Holy Spirit in the faith of the believer who is unsure, the lies that cause us to believe that God's promises do not remain, and the evidence of our salvation as found in the works we do for the Kingdom of God. This book encourages the person who believes in Christ Jesus as Lord to depend on that belief completely and pursue the righteousness offered through God's promise. I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogging program.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

ASSURED

DISCOVER GRACE, LET GO OF GUILT, AND REST IN YOUR SALVATION

BY GREG GILBERT

BAKER BOOKS

CHRISTIAN

PUB DATE 19 MAR 2019





I am reviewing a copy of Assured through Baker Books and Netgalley:







No matter what our professions of beliefs, our membership in the Church, many of us wonder about whether or not we are truly saved. We worry that our love for Jesus isn’t strong enough, or as strong as another believers! We struggle as sin continues to be in our lives. All this takes away some of the joy of our salvation and can lead to a life that is characterized by legalism and perfectionism as well as works righteousness, the very life we were freed from when Jesus died on the cross!







In this book Greg Gilbert reminds us as believers we can be assured. Assured that our salvation was real, assured that our sins are forgiven whether past, present or future! Assured that we all stumble and that Jesus is not our judge but our advocate.





I give Assured five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

[victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazing writing and inspiring to read with that also giving us to understand and see more clearly to be assured in your faith in not a complicated but it’s simple and easy that we all the Christian should to know beyond a shadow od a doubt that the most important things are indeed true. I highly recommend to everyone must to read this book. “ I received complimentary a copy of this book Baker Books Bloggers for this review”.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite outstanding!

I bought two of these - one for a church member that struggles with assurance and one for me. I thought it would be good to read, knowing she was reading it as well. Gilbert's approach to assurance of salvation is spot on. He continues driving the reader back to the Gospel primarily for assurance.

Whether you are a layperson or a church leader wanting to counsel someone with doubts, this book will help. And, it's a very easy read. I cannot recommend it enough.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The gospel of Jesus Christ and the promises of God. Focus there; these are the driving sources of assurance. Those chapters had me alternately saying "Amen!" and "Yes, yes, yes!" and smiling a fair bit. What an encouraging book. Well organized. Biblically faithful. Includes practical and gracious words on the purpose of the letter of 1 John and a chapter on besetting sins. A truly excellent read, and not difficult material either.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people struggle with the assurance of their salvation, of their faith, their obedience, and of the promises of God to them through His word. Gilbert hits all the basic things that need hit here and doesn't get into the weeds. This makes the book approachable and easy to read, but you may wish that he took more time for further depth in some areas.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and easy to read. This book arrived at just the right time to really be a benefit. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who is going through or has gone through any kind of struggle. Won book courtesy of the author and goodreads.com

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastoral and helpful. A great resource for the church. I may have reordered a few chapters. Last few chapters on the role of works in assurance are really good. His Everest and speedometer analogies were spot on.

[Blake Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on a subject that is often not addressed: Christian Assurance. It is one of the few books you will find on the subject. It is written well and explained clearly. The book will be a great encouragement to mature Christians as well as new Christians.

[Nate Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific easy-to-read book on assurance of salvation that I will recommend to anyone who is struggling with assurance. Gilbert focuses on the most important things - the gospel and the promises of God - but he also deals with the complex issue of fruit/works.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who struggles with assurance of salvation. The author gives a solid view of the work of Christ and promises of God on which we should stand. He then helpfully points out the good and bad in the introspection which we all fall into.

[Joe Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, well balanced, clear and careful use of the Scriptures. Accessible without being simplistic. Nuanced without being messy. Highly recommend pastors read this, and that they then encourage their people, especially the nervous ones, to read it.