Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”  I have never met a single Christian that at some time in his life he has not had to deal with assurance of his salvation.  You will face this personally and with your children.  Doubt is one of the strategies of the enemy which actually started in the Garden when Satan deceived Eve to doubt what God has said.  So, the question comes down to how can I have assurance of salvation?  How can I know for certain that I belong to Christ?  We can stand on the many Scriptures which confirm it.  However, the bottom line is given in our verse this week.  If we have the Holy Spirit living in our heart, the Spirit bears witness and testifies with our spirit that we are a child of God.  It cannot be denied when it is real and we have asked Jesus to live in us. 

 One answer I have given is that I know because I know.  I know what is in my heart and when it got there.  One of our daughters dealt with this issue and doubt in her younger life which is common for children.  A recognized spiritual giant once said, “Because you are a Christian and have had doubt is proof that you are a Christian.”  If you are not a Christian, the enemy would not have to challenge your assurance. We must be prepared by our own assurance to help and lead others through these times.  My daughter had accepted Jesus and was baptized on Easter Sunday.  I told her to take her Bible and write the date down in the cover.  When doubt came up, she could turn to that page and recorded date and show the enemy.  My father told my brother and me that we should never forget that our name was Gage and we were to always remember it, honor it and not do anything to tarnish that name.  The same can be said of us as a Christian.  Our name should reflect with assurance who we are and whose we are.  It is Jesus and the Holy Spirit living in our heart.  I John 5:10 “Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself (in his heart).”  This is your spiritual family name that provides assurance.