“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:5
When Paul writes in Romans 5:5 that “the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” he’s not speaking of a trickle or a fleeting feeling. He’s describing a flood—a divine outpouring that assures us we belong to Him. This section of Romans is all about the security of salvation. True faith, when tested, doesn’t just survive—it deepens. Trials, tribulations, and even correction reveal that we are God’s children because they draw us closer to Him, not farther away. They expose the difference between emotional experience and genuine salvation. And at the heart of this assurance is one unshakable truth: God is faithful. In a world riddled with broken promises and failed commitments, His faithfulness stands as the anchor of our hope. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
God’s faithfulness is not just a comforting idea—it’s the foundation of our security. He doesn’t just save us; He keeps us. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” That means if you are truly His, He will confirm you to the end. The Holy Spirit, given to every believer, is the guarantee of this promise. He doesn’t come and go—He abides. And He doesn’t just teach us truth—He pours God’s love into our hearts. This is where assurance moves from the head to the heart. It’s not just knowing we’re saved—it’s feeling it, sensing it, being led by it. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). That internal witness is something no one can take away.
But when we live in disobedience, that sense of assurance fades. The fruit of the Spirit—especially love—is quenched. We may still know the facts of salvation, but the joy and peace that come from walking with the Spirit are lost. That’s why Paul urges us to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). If you’ve felt distant from God, if the love of God seems quiet in your heart, stir up the Spirit again. Return to Him. Let Him pour His love into you afresh. Because when the Holy Spirit is active in your life, you won’t just know you’re saved—you’ll feel it. You’ll sense it in your worship, your prayers, your hunger for the Word. And that assurance will carry you through every storm. True faith tested produces assurance. And the Holy Spirit is the voice within that says, “You are Mine.” Let Him speak. Let Him reign. Let Him pour.
“The Spirit is not only a Comforter, but a Sealer; He gives the saints assurance, and sets His seal upon them. The Spirit whispers peace and love to the soul, and assures it of God’s eternal favor.” – Thomas Watson
surrendered devotions 