What is the next step? This is also
most important and it 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 Ephesians 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 and
Romans 8:28-39).
·
Position. Because
of our salvation we have unchangeable positions before God.
o
We are declared legally innocent; as
in a court of law this cannot be overturned (Romans 3:21-25)!
o
We are legally adopted as God’s
children (Ephesians 1:5).
o
We are sealed by the Holy Spirit to
salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; II Corinthians 5:5).
o
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 (Romans 6:2-9)!
·
Perseverance. God
causes us to persevere through our life unto salvation not by our own stamina (II
Timothy 1:12, Philippians 1:6, I Thessalonians 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.
WC
Stewart
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