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ASSURANCES

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SETTLED ASSURANCE

“The teaching of some…seems…to hinder assurance.  Assurance, say some, is impossible.  Not impossible, say others, but very hard to attainment…I do not see how my being thoroughly persuaded that a holy God loves me…and has forgiven me all my sins, has a tendency to evil…whereas uncertainty in this matter…bewilders me,…sets me striving to work my way into the favour of God…which can do nothing but keep me dreading and doubting all the days of my life, leaving me, perhaps, at the close, in hopeless darkness” Horatius Bonar (ref#326, p36).

“…a clear, well-grounded, habitual persuasion of our acceptance in the Beloved is attainable…They are blessed, therefore, who have such views of the power, grace, and suitableness of Jesus, and the certainty and security of redemption in him, together with such a consciousness that they have anchored their hopes, and ventured their all, upon his person, work, and promise, as furnishes them with a ready answer to all the cavils of unbelief and Satan…”  John Newton (ref#322, p148).

“The characteristic of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that Christ is formed in me.  Immediately Christ is formed in me, His nature begins to work through me” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 25th).

“The Gospel is designed to give us not only a peradventure or a probability, but a certainty both of our acceptance and our perseverance…” John Newton (ref#322, p153).

Who may lay just claim to Christ’s mercy?  “Only those that will take his yoke and count it a greater happiness to be under his government than to enjoy any liberty of the flesh…” Richard Sibbes (ref#311, p80).

“…because he is sure the Lord does all things well.  Therefore his submission is not forced, but is an act of trust” John Newton (ref#322, p155).

“’I knew I was converted when religion stopped being a duty and became a delight,’” Henry Scougal (ref#321, p8).  “When we are so far satisfied with the government of Christ’s Spirit that we are willing to resign up ourselves to him in all things, then his kingdom is come to us, and our wills are brought to his will.  It is the bent of our wills that makes us good or ill” Richard Sibbes (ref#311, p99).

ASSURANCES

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CHECK YOURSELF AGAIN

 “To have grace, and to be sure we have grace…is heaven on this side of heaven.” Thomas Brooks

“Is your belief genuine?…You may be self-proclaimed among His people here on the earth, but you may have to taste of death when the Lord comes.  You may deceive them, but you cannot deceive Him” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p34).

“Do not be too bold or too quick, you who say you are Christ’s.  Never be satisfied until you are absolutely sure.  The best way to be sure is to go again, just as you went at first, and seize eternal life through the power of the blessed Spirit and not by any strength of your own…Get alone with Jesus and…tell Him that at all costs you want to be identified with His death….” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p34-35).

“The divine order…is first pardon, then holiness; first peace with God, and then conformity to the image of …God….For…likeness to God is produced by beholding His glory (2 Cor 3:18), and as we cannot look upon Him till we know that He has ceased to condemn us, and as we cannot trust Him till we know that He is gracious; so we cannot be transformed into His image till we have received pardon at His hands.  Reconciliation is indispensable to resemblance; personal friendship must begin a holy life….first peace, then holiness—peace is the foundation of holiness…” Horatius Bonar (ref#326, p32).

“The evidence that believers are in Christ is that the power of sin has been broken in their lives by the work of the Holy Spirit” The ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p2170, [Rom 8:2]).  “The proof that your old man is crucified with Christ is the amazing ease with which the life of God in you enables you to obey the voice of Jesus Christ” Oswald Chambers (ref#7, Dec 23rd).

“Commit yourself totally into His hands, so that you may be as sure of your salvation as of your existence” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p95).

 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” (Rom 8:16 ESV).

ASSURANCES

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CHRIST’S ACCUSATIONS

We will not understand or rest in the assurance of GOD’s salvation if first we do not examine our motives and actions.  Actually, we must examine the motives for our actions.

For all of us who have labeled ourselves “Christians,” naturally set about fitting ourselves into that role. We default to making an effort to be “good Christians.”

We are concerned about that because of the natural pride in us.  Thus we make every effort to prove to others and ourselves that we are preforming the activities of a Christian.

Unfortunately little is discussed from our pulpits about “…unspiritual preoccupation with outward forms and ceremonies, while neglecting utterly the great moral verities of true religion” James Coffman (Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament, “Commentary on Luke 11:42”).

As I read the gospels I am stopped by CHRIST’s forcible language that condemn His listeners.  Why does He provoke?  The answer comes quickly to mind.

We easily slide into our natural mode described above.  Therefore, we must hear language that condemns.  We must have an accusing finger pointed at us telling us we are not on the Christian path we thought we were on.   To move toward Christianity and the peace of knowing we have the assurance from GOD that we are His we must, before anything else, recognize our sin. And that is the sin of being actors—acting like we are Christians but are not.

CHRIST’s convicting words: “…you…outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt 23:28 ESV).  “A man may appear clean without, who is unclean within; but outward purity will not avail in the sight of God, where inward holiness is wanting” Adam Clarke (The Adam Clarke Commentary, “Commentary on Matthew 23:25”).

We must check ourselves: do we make the decision of what good works we do—do we decide on them because we believe we have the ability to accomplish them successfully?  This is sin; we are operating with our born-with natural abilities.

“…the things done…may be good and godly…but if they are not undertaken in a spirit of complete reliance upon the Holy Spirit, then the flesh is the source of all…Whatever does not issue from waiting upon God, from depending upon the Holy Spirit, is unquestionably of the flesh.  Whatever one decides according to his pleasure in lieu of seeking the will of God emanates from the flesh….” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p114).

If these words convict you, repent and ask GOD to change your heart.  Only a renewed heart can override the flesh, for flesh “never has the sense of utter dependency” Watchman Nee (ref#33, p114).

ASSURANCES

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FALSE HOPE OF SALVATION

“…let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor 10:12 ESV).

“It is better to have no repentance than a repentance that needs to be repented of.  It is better to have no faith than a false faith.  It is better to make no profession of belief than to make an untruthful one” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p77-78).

“I fear there are some who secretly think, ‘Everything is now complete.  I have experienced the necessary change; I have been to see the elders and the pastor; I have been baptized and received into the church. Thus, everything with me is right forever.’  That is a false view of your condition” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p88).

“It is a very good thing for Christians to be in the church.  However, if you are in the church before you are ‘in the Lord,’ you are out of place.  It is a good thing to be engaged in holy work.  But, if you are doing holy work before you are ‘in the Lord,’ you will have no heart for it, and neither will the Lord accept it” Charles Spurgeon (ref#330, p78).

“…they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  For being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Rom 10:2-3 ESV).

“…they failed to submit to God’s righteousness and instead attempted to be righteous before God on the basis of their own works” ESV Study Bible(ref#125, p2174, [Rom 10:3]).

“…zeal and sincerity does not lead them to salvation….many sincere, ‘religious’ people are wrong in their beliefs” ESV Study Bible(ref#125, p2174, [Rom 10:2]).

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YEAR-ENDING POST

Have you read all these “Assurance” posts and verified in your heart a “yes” answer though your actions sometimes don’t live up to your heart?  “Failings, with conflict, in sanctification should not weaken the peace of our justification and assurance of salvation” Richard Sibbes (ref#311, p96).

Be encouraged for once GOD has chosen you you will not fall back into an unredeemed condition.  “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:29 ESV).

“…we learn to stand by falls, and get strength by weakness discovered…We take deeper root by shaking….And…torches flame brighter by moving…When we are foiled, let us believe we shall overcome; when we have fallen, let us believe we shall rise again” Richard Sibbes (ref#311, p95).

“So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts, knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies….Christ, who, as he is the author, so will he be the finisher, of our faith (Heb 12:2)” Richard Sibbes (ref#311, p96).

 

NOTE:  I will probably continue “Assurance” posts into the start of next year because it hit home so much with me.  Us moral people—pew-sitters from infancy, need to beware!  Because we are respectable, moral, and basically good (humanity at its best), we can get along without peace and pardon that comes from the regeneration of GOD.

Blatant sinners and immoral ones who feel they are wretches know for certain when regeneration occurs, for GOD’s peace and pardon flood over them.  They musthave GOD!  Long-time pew-sitters are all too content with being respectable and workers of human-generated good. (ideas from “God’s Way of Holiness, by Horatius Bonar, ref#326, p33).

May GOD grant the regenerated, growth into His holiness in 2020.

ASSURANCES

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JOY

“We may know, and should know, that we are in a relationship to God and that we possess His life…We must not rest until we have full and certain assurance, confidence, and jubilation.…” Martyn Lloyd-Jones (ref#189, Nov 17th).

“Jubilation”—this is what gives us Christians away—we are distinct because of our joy.  It stands above all the other questions to which we have answered “yes” over these past two years on this blog site.

On May 23, 2018 I posted this question: “Do I experience a fullness of joy in GOD’s presence” (Ps 16:11)? Tim McGee, a good blogging friend commented: “Today’s question about joy in GOD’s presence is all-encompassing of the others, I think.  If not experiencing that joy, have I truly put myself in the presence of God?”

FATHER, this joy is my most precious commodity.  It is my goal, and I need Your help to attain it.  Oh, may I strive to experience it in all circumstances—ALL!  I know in my head that this joy is an inner joy—one that is eternal and has no ending to it for it is completely of You.  It does not depend on earthly circumstances; instead, it looks to You in hope.  Please, LORD, motivate my heart to find joy in everything that comes my way.

Isaiah the prophet revealed JESUS’ hope in You: “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied…” (Isa 53:11 ESV).

“…Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” (Heb 12:2 ESV).

I remind all my blogging friends in closing out these two years of “Assurances” blogs:

“…neither…things present nor things to come…will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39 ESV). Does that not bring us constant, inexpressible joy?

ASSURANCES

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A CHRISTIAN IN IGNORANCE

I know after two years of blogging on the subject of “Assurances,” that there are some readers that still only “think” GOD has redeemed them.  It is so easy to do godly things.  As law-abiding humans we are inclined to pursue morality and distance ourselves from the immoral.  The looming problem is that we have the ability within ourselves to be outstanding model citizens, keeping ourselves from indulging in obvious sins and being proud and content with it.

I can’t stop thinking about the Sermon on the Mount.  If one reads those few chapters in one sitting and tests their performance in keeping the commands they would conclude the impossibility to accomplish such tasks—especially when they get to the end of Matthew, chapter five.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48 ESV).

 All my “Assurance” posts read in one sitting indeed would convince a person that they need someone better than themselves to help them.  But, read one verse a day like I post, and it’s easy to “like” that one post and pass over posts less likable.

This subject has come down hard on me today as I read, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.”  “Ignorance” is a guy that believes he’s a Christian (p130-133).   He has all the signs of a Christian—loves good works, loves the whole Christian environment, etc.  He sees himself more righteous than most people so his heart and conscience are at peace.

The whole crux of the matter is that Christians need CHRIST.  Until GOD draws us to tour our personal sin we never see our need, so the best question to ask is “How do I regard my sin?”  Does my sin bother me?

If we think we’re not a constant sinner, we only “think” we’re a Christian.  We have to know how despicable we are before we’re willing to lean on CHRIST for salvation and grow into His likeness.

ASSURANCES

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INTOLERABLE SIN

 “…anyone who lives in willful sin…has none of the marks of God’s elect” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p257). “He that minds first the things of the flesh, has no saving faith” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p188).

“The believer who abides in Him [CHRIST] hath a divine assurance for the fulfillment of every promise the covenant ever gave” Andrew Murray (ref#266, p196, brackets mine).

“There is a spiritual treasure-house in the Word…There you will see…the everlasting election of the saints in Christ,—the special love wherewith God loved them before the foundation of the world,—their mystical union with their risen Head in heaven, and His consequent sympathy with them,—their interest in the perpetual intercession of Jesus, their High Priest,—their liberty of daily communion with the Father and the Son,—their full assurance of hope,—their perseverance to the end” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p249).

“The redemption which he enjoys is eternal.  The sense and comfort of it he may lose by his own carelessness.  But the thingitself, after once believing, is his for evermore….Thy faith shall never be allowed entirely to fail” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p279).

“A day must come, if you are ever to be God’s child, when you will cease to trifle with your soul’s interests.  An hour must come when at last you will bend your knee in real earnestness, and pour out your heart before God in real prayer.  A time must come when the burden of your sins will at last feel intolerable, and when you will feel you must have rest in Christ or perish” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p286).

FATHER, I’m sure everyone reading this post has felt “intolerable sin” or soon will feel “intolerable sin.”  To be humbled, then loved by the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe is our greatest joy. Thank You, FATHER.

ASSURANCES

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FIRE INSURANCE

“True belief in Christ is the unreserved trust of a heart convinced of sin, in Christ, as an all-sufficient Saviour.  It is the combined act of the whole man’s head, conscience, heart, and will” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p183).

“Solemn is it to realize that there are now in Hell multitudes of men and women who on earth were visited with deep conviction of sin, whose awakened conscience made them conscious of their rebellion against their Maker, who were made to feel something of the reality of the everlasting burnings, and the justice of God meting out such punishment to those who spurn His authority and trample His laws beneath their feet.  How solemn to realize that many of those who experienced such convictions were aroused to flee from the wrath to come, and became very zealous and diligent in seeking to escape the torments of Hell, and who under the instinct of self-preservation took up with ‘religion’ as offering the desired means of escape.  And how unspeakably solemn to realize that many of those poor souls fell victim to men who spoke ‘smooth things,’ assuring them that they were the objects of God’s love, and that nothing more was needed than to ‘receive Christ as your personal Savior.’  How unspeakably solemn, we say, that such souls look to Christ merely as a fire-escape,who never—from a supernatural work of the Spirit in their hearts—surrendered to Christ as Lord.”  A.W. Pink (ref#269, p72-73).

“Believing on Christ, again, is not mere feelingsomething about Christ.  This is often no more than temporary excitement…We may be pricked in conscience, and feel drawings toward the Gospel…We may even tremble and weep, and show much affection for the truth and those that profess it.  And yet all this time our hearts and wills may remain utterly unchanged, and secretly chained down to the world.  Doubtless there is no saving faith where there is no feeling. But feeling alone is not faith” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p 182-183).

“Believing in Christ is no mere intellectual assent….Doubtless there must be some knowledge before we can believe.  There is no true religion in ignorance.  But knowledge alone is not saving faith” J.C. Ryle (ref#273, p182).