Assurance

We had a request to post the outline of a message that Rodney recently preached at our home church on "Assurance."  Many of us have doubted our Salvation at one time or another.    This leads to anxiety and fear.  The Lord does not want us to live our lives in fear.  He has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and love and of a sound mind.


I.  Causes of Doubt
    
     1.  Sin separates us from God. 
 Isaiah 59:2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.


This leads to isolation because you cannot commune or communicate with God effectively.  An example of this is Adam & Eve.  After they partook of the tree, they no longer could walk and commune with God in the cool of the day.


     2.  Slackness causes us to forget that we were purged from our old sin. 
 2 Peter 1:5-9  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
When we are being slack in the spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, church attendance, etc.  we will begin to doubt our Salvation.


    3.  False Teachers cause us to think we can lose our Salvation or that we have to do something to be saved or to keep our Salvation.  
1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Colossians 2:14  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you of all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;


Hebrews 10:10-12  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,


     4.  Satan tells people that they are saved and they are not saved.  
Matthew 7:22-23  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you:  depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
          Satan also tells people that they are not saved and they are.  
John 8:44 (speaking of Satan)   ...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.


II.  Cures for Doubt


     1.  Salvation is eternal. 
I John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life...   Eternal = Endless


John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.


John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth my word and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.


I Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


Calvary was a permanent transaction that covers sin of the past, present, and future.  You cannot lose your salvation.


     2.  Salvation has evidences. 

1 John 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
We have his Spirit.  His Spirit will not contradict the Bible and will promote Jesus Christ.


1 John 3:14  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren...
We will love the brethren.


1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
We will have a God given desire to live a pure and holy life.


1 John 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
We will keep his commandments and endeavor to live a life of obedience.


     3.  Salvation is easy.  Even a child can be saved.  Salvation is a matter of the heart.  


Romans 10:9-10  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.


In conclusion, God does not want you to live in doubt and fear.  His love is perfect, and perfect love casteth out fear.  Examine your life and determine if you are doubting because of sin, slackness, false teachings, or Satan's lies.  And, look at your life and search for the evidences of Salvation.  If you determine that you are not saved, why not be saved right now.  Christ desires a personal relationship with you.