Grace in Focus — Episode Summary
Can We Have Assurance That We Will Persevere?
Date: April 8, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr (Grace Evangelical Society)
Episode Overview
In this concise yet thought-provoking episode, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr tackle the question: “Can believers have assurance that they will ultimately rule and reign with Christ in the life to come by persevering in faith and good works?” Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and theological distinctions, they challenge popular perspectives from Calvinism and Lordship Salvation, emphasizing the Free Grace viewpoint. The conversation details the differences between assurance of everlasting life and assurance of perseverance, addresses common anxieties among believers, and provides a graceful path centered on relationship with Christ—not on performance.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Foundation of Assurance: Everlasting Life Through Faith Alone
- Everlasting life is a present possession at the moment of faith in Christ, not a reward for future perseverance.
- Assurance of salvation can be experienced at conversion but may fluctuate over time ([01:53]).
“At the very moment of saving faith, we do have assurance that we are secure... But as you just said, that assurance may go away. We can and should have ongoing assurance. But you talk to people all the time who've lost assurance.” — Bob Wilkin [01:53]
2. Perseverance and Ruling with Christ: Theological Clarifications
- Perseverance in faith and confession is indeed related to rewards—specifically ruling and reigning with Christ—but not to the guarantee of eternal life ([03:13-03:26]).
- Biblical references (2 Timothy 2:12; teachings of Jesus) point to enduring as a condition for certain rewards, not for one’s salvation.
“If we endure, we’ll reign with him. 2nd Timothy 2:12… Jesus said, he who confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father... So, yes, this is the issue of perseverance.” — Bob Wilkin [03:26]
3. Calvinism, Lordship Salvation, and the “Ouroboros Assurance”
- Calvinism teaches that genuine believers will inevitably persevere, making assurance depend on performance and works rather than faith ([04:14]).
- Sam introduces the “Ouroboros” metaphor, critiquing the circular logic: if you persevere, you're saved; if not, you never were—making true assurance impossible ([04:25]).
“That's like an Ouroboros assurance, where you have to believe and persevere. But if you don't persevere, then that means you didn't believe in the first place. So you can't have both at the same time and be assured.” — Sam Marr [04:14]
4. Can We Be Assured of Our Own Perseverance?
- The answer is a qualified “no.” While believers can have assurance that they are currently persevering (walking in the light), no one can be certain they will remain faithful until the end ([04:51-05:52]).
- Perseverance is contingent upon future choices and ongoing fellowship, not a predetermined or guaranteed outcome.
- Lordship Salvation’s focus on evaluating works for assurance leads to perpetual insecurity ([06:00-07:20]).
“Can I be assured that I am currently persevering? ...Yes. But no, I cannot be certain that I will continue...” — Bob Wilkin [04:57]
“If you’re a Lordship Salvation person, you cannot have assurance that you’re born again. Because no matter how good your works are today, they're imperfect today and you can't be sure you fall away tomorrow. So there is no assurance of your salvation.” — Bob Wilkin [07:20]
5. The Problem with Works-Based Assurance and Fear
- Many believers shift their focus from eternal security to anxiety over earning future rewards, falling into fear and performance-oriented Christianity ([10:00-10:52]).
- This legalistic approach is discouraged, as it promotes fear rather than love and confidence.
“They live in the same kind of fear and anxiety of I'm not doing enough, I'm sinning too much... But is that the mindset that believers should have as born again people?” — Sam Marr [10:52]
6. The Antidote: Focus on Christ, Not Commandments
- The answer is to love Christ, not to obsess over commandments or performance ([10:52-12:36]).
- Key scriptural support includes Romans 7:13-25 and 1 John 2:28; 4:17-19: perfect love casts out fear, and abiding in Christ produces confidence.
- Growth in love for Christ, not fixation on perfection, yields assurance and fruitfulness.
“Our focus cannot be on legalism, it cannot be on the commandments… The key is to focus on Christ... as God’s love is matured in us, we’re not afraid of the judgment seat of Christ.” — Bob Wilkin [11:00-12:36]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the Futility of Works for Assurance:
- “Because Dallas Seminary historically taught assurance is based on the promises in God’s word alone. We don’t look to our works for assurance.” — Bob Wilkin [07:20]
- The Ouroboros Metaphor for Lordship Assurance:
- “The Ouroboros is the snake eating its tail.” — Sam Marr [04:27]
- Assurance Available Now, Not For Tomorrow:
- “I can be sure that right now I'm walking in the light, and right now I am persevering. I am one who is in fellowship with God... That doesn't mean I won't fall away in the future.” — Bob Wilkin [08:53]
- Love Trumps Legalism:
- “Our focus is not on loving the Commandments, our focus is on loving the Commander, loving the Lord Jesus Christ. If I love him, that produces in me the kind of confidence I should have concerning his coming.” — Bob Wilkin [12:15]
Key Timestamps
- [01:13] – Introduction to the core question; Bob defines assurance at salvation
- [03:13] – Persevering in faith vs. assurance of salvation; role of future rewards
- [04:14] – Critique of Calvinism’s perseverance theology
- [04:51-05:52] – Direct answer: can we be assured of our own perseverance?
- [06:00-07:20] – Works as false grounds for assurance; critique of prominent teachers
- [08:53] – Assurance possible now, but not assured in the future
- [10:00-10:52] – The shift from salvation fear to rewards anxiety
- [11:00-12:36] – The solution: focus on Christ, not commandments; perfect love and confidence
Takeaways for Listeners
- Assurance of salvation is grounded in faith in Christ, not in the uncertainty of future perseverance or works.
- Believers can have present assurance of walking with God; future endurance is not guaranteed and should not be a source of fear.
- The Christian journey is about deepening love and fellowship with Christ—fruit, rewards, and stability flow from this relationship, not from legalistic striving.
“Let’s all keep grace in focus. Amen.” — Bob Wilkin [12:47]
