Assurance

We become Christians by being effectually called - as we have seen. We then enjoy justification, adoption, sanctification and perseverance. Another blessing which we enjoy in life is ASSURANCE.

• Why some believers do not have assurance
  • Some look upon the very idea with suspicion. Yet the Bible makes it plain that it is the believer's NORMAL experience. Rom 5 vs 1-2, 2 Tim 4 vs 7-8, 1 John 3 vs 14, Gal 2 vs 20 etc...
  • Some are put off by their failures and sins. Because they are not sanctified as they should be, they doubt that they are even justified.
  • Some have a stereotyped idea of conversion.  This often comes from listening to testimonies. They do not fit the pattern - so wonder if they are saved.
  • Some mix up 'faith' and 'strong faith'. Because they are not as 'saintly' as somebody else, they doubt that they are saints at all.
• Some people have false assurance
  • They think they are true believers, when they are NOT.
  • NONE of the following things is a proof that you are a believer :-
  • possession of spiritual gifts. 
  • correct doctrine.
  • disillusionment with the world.
  • conviction of sin.
  • the Bible 'speaking' to you.
• TRUE assurance
  • True assurance comes this way :-
  • you see how God describes true believers in His Word.
  • you ask yourself whether you fit the description. 2 Cor 13 vs 5.
• The marks of a Christian (1 John) :-
  • faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
  • a unique attitude of indwelling sin.
  • brotherly love.
• The work of the Spirit (Rom 8 vs 16) :-
  • He it is who has provided the description of true believers in the Word.
  • He does not work independently of (or additionally to) these evidences.
  • But He takes hold of the description, and BY MEANS of them persuades you that you are such a person as has been described and - that the general description is personally true of you.
• So then..... - assurance does not come by the Word alone. - nor does it come from the Spirit alone...It comes by the Spirit working through the Word.
  • it was by this means that you were effectually called, and brought into the blessings of justification, adoption and sanctification.
  • it is by the SAME means that you are brought to be SURE that you are in such a happy condition.
• We may then expect
  • your assurance to increase, the more you are exposed to the Word which the Spirit uses.
  • your assurance to decrease, if you turn from the Word, or neglect it.

But it is important to stress that the ordinary believer, by using ordinary means, may come to FULL ASSURANCE of his salvation.