Welcome back. Last month we started an important
journey on what the Bible says about wellbeing. Last week we considered the
vital topic of entering the gateway to receiving improved Biblically based
wellbeing: by faith in Christ’s
forgiveness for your sins by his death on the cross. By his gracious sacrifice,
God sees you as without fault and completely accepted by him (Eph 2:7-9, Rom 3:21-25, Rom 10:9).
What
is next step? This is also most important and is to realize that as a Christian
you are SECURE in your relationship with God. Why is this critical? We
cannot grow in our faith and serve others well if we lack confidence God that accepts
us.
The Bible itself makes a great example in Eph 5:20-33. In
this fascinating letter the Apostle Paul likens the relationship between Christ
and the church (individual believers) to marriage. In the same way a married
couple will find it difficult to grow in their love, intimacy and confidence in
each other if they fear their partner will reject them, so a Christian will
find it next to impossible to grow in the love of God if they fear His
repudiation.
Likewise
our loving God, who made and understands us, knows we cannot grow in His love
without the confidence that He will not reject us. Wow, this seems incredible!
How can we know this from Scripture? There are three basic arguments:
Direct statements. Scripture says it directly in a number of verses (I Peter 1:3-5, John 10:27-31, Rom 8:28-39).
Position. Because of our salvation we have unchangeable positions
before God.
We
are declared legally innocent; as in a court of law this cannot be overturned (Rom 3:21-25)!
We
are legally adopted as God’s children (Eph 1:5).
We
are sealed by the Holy Spirit to salvation (Eph 1:13-14; II Cor 5:5).
We
are baptized by the Holy Spirit, being made like Christ in his death and
resurrection. Therefore, we are a new person in Christ, a change that cannot be
undone (Rom 6:2-9)!
Perseverance. God causes us to persevere through our life unto salvation
not by our own stamina (II Tim 1:12, Phi 1:6, I The 5:23).
What
great promises! Because of our faith in Christ we are a new person who cannot
be unmade, with legally unchangeable promises that guarantee our salvation.
This comfort and confidence allows us to invest ourselves in knowing and serving
within a wonderful relationship with God.
We should not be burdened with guilt and worry over the status of God’s acceptance
of us.
Everyone
wants security! Next time we will continue our discussion security and how it
relates to guilt.
Thank
you as always for joining me I'm honored that you would read my blog.
If you experience guilt, why? To participate in our
latest poll question - please visit our website at http://teleiosresearch.com/#anchorpoll
WC Stewart
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