I believe that my surrender to Christ was genuine
I have no doubts that it was/is. But we can't be our own judges. Many people will say "I don't steal, I have compassion, I am a good person, I love God...I know when I die I will go to heaven." Sure sounds like "I earned it" if you know what I mean.
Just ask yourself if you love others as you love yourself. If the answer is no, then none of us can be sure of salvation because none of is is Christ-like. If we are saved it's only because of God's incredible mercy.
I think it is also admirable to love God with assurance
But is it easier?
the Christian theology behind it should make no difference as to whether and how we love God
If we can say "Thy will be done" and have no second thoughts.
I have no doubts that it was/is. But we can't be our own judges. ...
That's right. (And I have no doubts about you. :) We cannot be our own FINAL judges because that job is already taken. (We should always be judging ourselves in our daily walk, as scripture says concerning the Lord's Supper.) All I can say is what I believe based on the scriptures and the promises therein.
Many people will say "I don't steal, I have compassion, I am a good person, I love God...I know when I die I will go to heaven." Sure sounds like "I earned it" if you know what I mean.
I do, and you're exactly right. Except for "I love God", if those are the reasons that they give for being entitled to Heaven, then they are toast. As you said, many people are going to be like this, and if I am one of them, then it is all my fault. My assurance means that I know that is not possible, to the extent a human can "know" anything. This "knowledge" is not based on anything any other Christian cannot have. So, there is no magic about it. It's just based on scripture.
FK: "I think it is also admirable to love God with assurance."
But is it easier?
I don't know why it would be. We (Protestants/Baptists in the whole) have to fight against the temptation of resting on our laurels, which we MUST do. I admit that can be difficult, so it's a little different. The more mature person has greater activity with the Holy Spirit so this is less of a problem, but across the board I'm sure there are many who think everything is already locked in the bank. So, maybe it's true that our respective laities face different issues, and we all should just strive toward obeying the Lord because we genuinely love God and are commanded to.