guaranteed ... in writing

Ever promised someone something, but then reneged and failed to keep your word? 

I certainly have; you probably have, too:  after all, "weasling out" of an agreement is only human (though it's certainly easier to remember the times other people have broken their pledges than it is to remember the times we've broken ours).

Especially if you're the one doing the weasling, which can be easily rationalized with excuses like "Well, things change" or "I didn't know as much then as as I know now," breaking a promise or going back on your word might not seem like such a big deal ... until we remember that breaking a vow is something God will never do.

"Get It In Writing"

If somebody offered you an irresistible deal on the car of your dreams, what would be the first words to come flying out of your mouth?  Will you put that in writing and sign it?  In ink too please, if you don't mind.

"Getting it in writing" serves to spell out the terms and offers an assurance that the other guy is willing to follow-through without reneging, while a signature serves as authentication and acknowledges an agreement to the contract. 

So how can we know our salvation is assured through Christ?

Here's the terms ... guaranteed

We know our salvation in Christ is assured because God doesn't renege or break his promises.  Unlike us, God doesn't change his mind, have second thoughts or go back on his word.  God doesn't make excuses either, because God does not change ... and besides, God already knew everything about everything and everybody before he created the universe: God had all the 411 up front.

Which tells me it's impossibly hard to surprise, outsmart or out-negotiate the Creator ... no matter how hard folks keep trying.

But but but ... who signed the guarantee?

The promise of our salvation wasn't written in ink; after all, ordinary ink is short-lived and unstable.

Our promise of eternal life was signed in Christ's blood instead.

And that's an imperishable guarantee.

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

- Hebrews 9:15

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

- Matthew 26:28

But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

- Galatians 3:22

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

- Hebrews 10:28