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Sermon #52 — Romans Series

 

      Title:                                 Assurance

 

      Text:                                  Romans 5:1-2

      Subject:               Assurance

      Date:                                Sunday Morning — April 26, 2015

      Reading: Luke 15:1-32

      Introduction:

 

(Romans 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

What blessed confidence, what blessed assurance these words express! And that is my subject today —Assurance. Happy are those sinners saved by grace who can confidently sing with Fanny Crosby…

 

“Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood!”

 

Two Problems

 

When I think about this matter of assurance, as a believer, a pastor, and a preacher of the gospel, I am faced with two problems, two facts that I have to deal with.

 

1st. There are many people in this world, probably some people sitting here, who enjoy the assurance of salvation who have never experienced the grace of God in Christ. You claim peace, but you have no grounds of peace, and really have no peace. You delude yourself with a false peace. Many live and die being fully persuaded that they are saved, only to wake up in hell under the wrath of God (Matthew 7:21-23). They base their assurance upon something in the past, a time, a place, an event, an experience when they began to believe; and they are sure they are saved.

 

Illustrations: Betty Willis — Bobby Smith

 

There are many who enjoy the assurance of salvation who have never experienced the grace of God.

 

2nd. There are some who have been saved by God’s grace but lack what God calls the “full assurance of faith” in Christ. It may be that some of you now find faith in your heart, faith in Christ, repentance toward God, and love for the Savior, but you have never confessed Christ as your Savior, because you lack assurance that your faith is real. You have had no climatic experience that you can point to and say, “There I began to trust Christ.” Salvation is not always a climatic experience. It is sometimes a gradual thing. We do not all experience the grace of God alike. The need is the same and the grace is the same, but the experience is different.

 

Illustration: Compare Mark 8:22-25, Mark 10:47-52, and John 9:5-7

 

(Mark 8:22-25) And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. (23) And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. (24) And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. (25) After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

 

(Mark 10:47-52) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (48) And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (49) And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (50) And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. (51) And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. (52) And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

 

(John 9:1-7) And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. (2) And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. (4) I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (5) As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (6) When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, (7) And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

 

If you now trust Christ, if you now repent of your sins, if you now love the Lord Jesus Christ, it does not matter when or where you began to do so. If you trust Christ you are born of God! You are an heir of God! You have eternal life!

 

(1 John 5:1) Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

If God the Holy Spirit has given you faith in Christ, I urge you to confess your Lord and Savior today. I hope that this message will be used of God to give you the full assurance of faith” that speaks peace to the hearts of God’s elect.

 

Men and women spend a lot of time debating and arguing about who is saved and who is not saved, who knows God and who does not know God, who will be in heaven and who will not be there. — John Newton once said, “When I get to heaven I am sure that I will be greatly surprised by three things. Many will be there I never thought would be there. Many will not be there I was sure would be there. And most surprising of all, I will be there!” — It is not our business to sit as judges over men and decide who is saved and who is not.

 

Illustration: David Adkins — L. R. Shelton

 

We do not have the ability to examine anyone’s heart! That is God’s prerogative alone (1 Samuel 16:7). We must each examine ourselves and determine whether we are in the faith. It is my business, and should be my concern, to make my calling and election sure. It is your business, and should be your concern, to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). That will keep us busy enough (2 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 4:1).

 

(2 Corinthians 13:5) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

(Hebrews 4:1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

 

Some think, “If you doubt you’re damned.” Others think, “If you don’t doubt you’re damned.” What does God say in his Word about this matter?

 

Proposition: It is possible for a person to know whether or not he is saved. — In fact, there is no reason for believers not to enjoy what God the Holy Ghost calls “full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 5:10-13).

 

(1 John 5:10-13) He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (11) And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

·      David did. — “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.

·      Peter did. – “Thou knowest that I love thee!

·      Paul did. – “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded…”

 

(Romans 5:1-2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

I want what only God himself can give. I want an assurance of hope, assurance of confidence, and assurance of faith that is built upon and arises from the Word of God. Do you? If you do, give me your attention. I’ve got a message from God for you. I’ll give it to you in these four points:

 

Essential Things

 

First, three things are essential to knowing God, being saved and entering into the Kingdom of Heaven. I am talking about essential things now, three things are essential to salvation.

 

A New Nature — Our Lord said, “Ye must be born againThat which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…Ye must be born again!But how? How is a person born again? Where does this new nature come from?

 

I am not talking about a religious profession, a decision for Jesus, or a doctrine. I’m talking about life! — A New Life! — A New Heart! — A New Will! — A New Nature! — This is not the work of man, but the work of God alone (1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Behold I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5).

 

Sinners are born again by the will of God (John 1:11-13; Romans 9:16).

 

(John 1:11-13) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

(Romans 9:16) So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

 

We are born again by the Spirit of God (John 3:5-8; 6:63).

 

(John 3:5-8) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 

(John 6:63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 

We are born again by the Word of God — The Seed of Life (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23-25).

 

When a person is born of God he is made to be a partaker of the Divine Nature. He has a new nature (1 John 3:6-8; 5:1).

 

A Perfect Righteousness — Now, listen to this preacher. — What men call righteousness is not righteousness. (Luke 16:15).

 

(Luke 16:15) And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

 

God demands perfect righteousness, perfect holiness. — “It must be perfect to be accepted” (Leviticus 22:21).

·      Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

·      Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

·      Christ is our Righteousness! (Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:9; Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16).

 

(Romans 9:31-10:4) But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (33) As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (10:1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

 

(Philippians 3:7-10) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

 

An Atonement for Sin — “Without shedding of blood is no remission!” (Hebrews 9:22). “It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul!” (Leviticus 17:11).

·       God demands satisfaction for sin.

·       There is no way for satisfaction to be made other than by a Substitute.

·       Christ, our Substitute, has made satisfaction for our sins; and he is the only one who could (1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 53:4-6, 8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

 

(1 Peter 3:18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.

 

(Isaiah 53:4-11) Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (11) He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

 

(2 Corinthians 5:17-21) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

·       Believing on Christ we receive the atonement. That is what we are taught in Romans 5 (Romans 5:11).

 

(Romans 5:1-11) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. (8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

 

These three things are essential. Without them, no one can be saved…

·       A New Nature

·       A Perfect Righteousness

·       An Atonement for Sin.

 

Three Reasons

 

Secondly, I want you to see why these things are essential. This is not the mere whim of a preacher, a speculative point of theology, or the requirements of a religious creed. Here are three reasons why you and I must have a new nature, perfect righteousness, and atonement for our sins if we are to be saved.

 

The very character of God and Heaven demands these three things (Psalm 24:3-4).

 

(Psalm 24:3-4) Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? (4) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

 

The holy, unchanging, law of God requires these things (Galatians 3:10).

 

(Galatians 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

 

And the holy justice of God demands satisfaction and must be honored (Exodus 34:6-7).

 

(Exodus 34:5-7) And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. (6) And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 

All three of these requirements (A New Nature – A Perfect Righteousness – An Atonement for Sin) are fully met in the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30).

·      Christ our Life (Colossians 1:27; 3:4).

·      Christ is our Righteousness (Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

·      Christ is our Sin Offering, our Atonement (Hebrews 10:11-14).

 

“From whence this fear and unbelief?

Hath not the Father put to grief

His spotless Son for me?

And will, the righteous Judge of men

Condemn me for that debt of sin,

Which, Lord, was charged on Thee?

 

Complete atonement Thou hast made,

And to the utmost farthing paid

Whate’er Thy people owed.

Nor can His wrath on me take place,

If sheltered in Thy righteousness

And sprinkled with Thy blood!

 

If Thou hast my discharge procured

And freely in my room endured

The whole of wrath Divine:

Payment God cannot twice demand,

First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,

And then again at mine!

 

Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest;

The merits of thy great High Priest

Have bought thy liberty:

Trust in His efficacious blood,

Nor fear thy banishment from God

Since Jesus died for thee!”

— Augustus Toplady

 

All in Christ

 

Thirdly, these and all other spiritual blessings are ours in Christ Jesus as the free gift of God’s grace in him (Ephesians 1:3-14).

 

(Ephesians 1:3-4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (4) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (10) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (14) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 

All the blessings of grace are in Christ! All the blessings and benefits of grace are ours by faith in Christ. — Works have nothing to do with grace! (Romans 11:6; 4:1-8, 16-25).

 

(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

 

(Romans 4:1-8) What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? (2) For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. (4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (6) Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, (7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (8) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

(Romans 4:16-25) Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (17) (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. (19) And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

 

·      Grace is free!

·      Grace is received by faith alone!

·      The faith that receives grace is the gift of grace!

 

Can you believe? Do you rest in Christ alone? If you can, if you do, you have been saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:1-10).

 

(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

 

(Ephesians 2:1-10) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

My Assurance

 

Fourthly, let me wrap this message up by addressing this question. It is a question that I ask myself and a question I hope you are asking – How can I Know that I am resting in Christ alone? How can I know that I am born of God, that I have a new nature, that I have the perfect righteousness of Christ, that I am washed in his sin-atoning blood?

 

I ask myself — Has the holiness of God and the law of God slain me, shut my mouth, and destroyed my righteousness? — (Look back at Romans 3:19).

 

(Romans 3:19) Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

 

Illustrations: That’s what happened to…

                                                                                    Job (Job 40:3-4; 42:5-6)[1].

                                                                                    Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8).

                                                                                    Saul (Philippians 3:7-8 – “Dung”).

 

Do I really believe that my righteousnesses are filthy rags in God’s sight? Adam and Eve could not be clothed with the skins of God’s providing until God had stripped them of their fig leaf aprons! And I cannot come to Christ until I can come saying…

 

“Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, come to Thee for grace!”

 

The sweet, sweet comfort of grace, the comfort of the Holy Ghost, is the blessed comfort of Divine conviction (John 16:7-11).

 

(John 16:7-11) Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 

I know that “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” I know that I must meet God in judgment! Realizing that fact, I ask myself — Where and in whom do I hope to find acceptance with God in that day? Where shall I stand? What is my hope? What is my claim to Glory? — Christ Alone!

·      He is my Ransom!

·      He is my Mediator!

·      He is my Righteousness!

·      Heavenly glory is the reward of grace!

 

Bold shall I stand in that great day,

For aught to my charge shall lay,

While through Thy blood absolved I am

From sin’s tremendous guilt and blame?

 

Christ is my Hope! Christ is my Salvation! Christ is my Assurance!

 

(Romans 8:31-34) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (33) Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. (34) Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

 

(Hebrews 10:1-22) For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. (2) For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. (3) But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. (4) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (5) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (8) Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; (9) Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

 

(10) By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (11) And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: (12) But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; (13) From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. (14) For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

 

(15) Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, (16) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; (17) And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (18) Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

 

(19) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

 

When my heart is heavy, when my conscience is bleeding, when I am aware of my sins and my guilt, where do I run for peace and assurance? Where do I find relief?

·      To a Profession of Faith?

·      To my Experiences?

·      To the Duties of Religion?

·      To Signs, Tokens, and Evidences of Grace?

No! I run to Christ as he is revealed in the Word of God!

 

Illustration: Charles Wesley’s Hymn — The Frightened Bird!

 

“Jesus, lover of my soul,

Let me to thy bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll,

While the tempest still is high.

Hide me, O my Savior, hide,

Till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide,

O receive my soul at last!

 

Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee:

Leave, O leave me not alone,

Still support and comfort me:

All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All my help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head

With the shadow of thy wing.

 

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,

More than all in Thee I find;

Plenteous grace with Thee is found,

Grace to cover all my sin;

Thou of life the Fountain art,

Freely let me take of Thee,

Spring Thou up within my heart,

Rise to all eternity!”

 

One more question — Can I stand confidently and steadfastly in the person and work of Christ? Indeed, I can. — Indeed, I must!

·       I claim his righteousness as my own!

·       I do look to Christ alone for atonement!

·       At all times I look to him for all things, and come to him for all things!

·       I have not yet been moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23); and by the grace of God I never shall! — Christ is my Assurance!

 

(Galatians 5:1-6) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (5) For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (6) For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

 

Christ is my Assurance (2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 5:1-2). — He is my Righteousness! — He is my Redemption! — He is my Justification! — He is my Peace! — He is my Access to God — He is my Hope! — He is my Assurance!

 

(Romans 5:1-2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

If you would be saved, you must trust him. If you would have assurance, even the “full assurance of faith,” with which to stand before God in peace, you must trust the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, may God the Holy Ghost give you faith in my Savior, even that faith that brings the sweet peace of assurance!

 

(Romans 5:1-2) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

“My name from the palms of His hands,

Eternity will not erase:

Impressed on His heart it remains

In marks of indelible grace.

Yes, I to the end shall endure,

As sure as the Earnest is given:

More happy, but not more secure,

The glorified spirits in heaven!”

Augustus Toplady

 

Amen!

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] (Job 40:3-4) Then Job answered the LORD, and said, (4) Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

 

(Job 42:5-6) I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. (6) Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.