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Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!¹

As a nation we commemorate our Independence Day every Jun 12; it is a reminder of the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898.² It was like a reset—from colonized to a freed country. The Jews have their Passover³—a yearly celebration of freedom, which has a global significance among Christians.

Christians have reason to rejoice for we were spared from God’s wrath—Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.⁴ Together we sing to the LORD, the rock⁵ of our salvation. We make a joyful noise for the joy of the Lord is our strength.⁶

Those who believe in the finish work of Jesus⁷ are welcome into his presence—by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.⁸

What assurance do you have that indeed you are saved and have secured your salvation for eternity? Here are the basics to begin with: Accept that you are a sinner who needs a Savior. Believe in the work of salvation that Jesus had done by dying on the cross, resurrecting, and ascending. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is both your Lord and Savior.

Scriptures state that we cannot merit our own salvation for we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.⁹ For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.¹⁰ Thus, repent!¹¹ Do a 180 degree turn.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke mentions that the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom at the moment Jesus surrendered his breath.¹² While John quotes Jesus’ last words, “It is finished.”¹³ 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.¹⁴

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believed in him will not be put to shame.”¹⁵