Assurance and Reassurance

Assurance and Reassurance 

Having been raised in a Christian family all my life, it is hard “not” to believe in God.  However, I found out later (after accepting Christ into my life) that I have taken for granted many of the foundations of my Faith and not all together clear about God’s Salvation plan in my life.  It is as if “Know what you believe” and “Know why you believe” from J. I. Packer’s two books are missing in my steps to Assurance. 

After the discussion last night at the RHG, I wish to follow up with the sharing of my understanding of Assurance and Reassurance at the present moment. 

Please correct me if I am wrong….

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8 – 9) 

Assurance of our Relationship to Christ:

·       KNOW God, as my Almighty creator who is holy and sovereign.

·       ADMIT to God and myself that I am a sinner needing Christ’ cross to reconcile me to Him.

·       CONFESS all (as much as possible) my sins specifically by naming them.

·       BELIEVE that Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross, so that I am justified as righteous before God.

·       BELIEVE that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, overcoming death and is now seated on the right hand of God to intercede for me.

 “Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,” 

(Ephesians 1:13) 

Reassurance of Faith:

·       TRANSFORMED LIFE...

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”   

(II Corinthians 5:17)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22)

·       CONFESSING CHRIST AND SHARING THE GOSPEL

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  (Romans 10:10)

·       DESIRE TO WITNESS CHRIST

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witness.”  (Acts 1:8)

·       SURRENDERED LIFE TO CHRIST

“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices….Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

(Romans 12:1-2)


Jane

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28)

Like most of you, this is an all time favorite Bible verse for me over the years, praising the Lord for His many blessings.  However, every time I quoted this particular verse, I have always omitted the second part of “who have been called according to his purpose”.

About five years ago, one of my Spiritual mentors was the first to remind me that the essence of this verse actually lies in the second phrase and not just the first.
 
Without further question or disagreement, I left it as such, at the back of my mind.

Right now at BSF, we are studying book of Ephesians, which has been taught by Albert in Adult Sunday School.  For some unknown reason, the Biblical Truth mentioned in chapter one (which is not new to me) stroke me like lightning this time around, into a much deeper understanding of God's plan of Salvation.  It is like a mountain top experience (as described by my BSF instructor) to open my eyes to the panoramic view of God’s creation, how some (not all) are chosen and predestined to be adopted as sons, to receive the forgiveness of sins through the redemption of Jesus’ blood and to be sealed in the Holy Spirit.

How blessed are we, to be “chosen” and be given a foretaste of eternity through the work of the Holy Spirit in our new transformed life.  Amazingly, all this came about not because of what we have done (which is nothing in God’s eyes), but rather who we “are” in Christ. 

It really struck home when I read:

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”.  (Ephesians 1:11)

What a striking resemblance to Romans 8:28b!!

Whenever we found bargains (good deals) or discovered a good restaurant, many of us cannot wait to tell our family and friends.  Some even go to the extent of bringing others to the shop or restaurant to let them experience the “find” so that it can be spread to benefit others.

God came into my life, impacted my life, and transformed my life!!!

If you seek Him with all your heart, He will be found!!

jane