The Blessings of Assurance (from the book “Strength for Today”) (Protestant/Evangelical Caucus)

Grace to You.org ^ | 1997 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“For as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10).

Assurance of salvation lets us enjoy earthly blessings.

It is encouraging that scriptural assurance results in specific, practical blessings in the Christian life. Here are six I’d like to share with you today.

Assurance makes you praise God. There is no way you can be filled with praise and gratitude to God if you’re not sure you’re saved.

Assurance adds joy to your earthly duties and trials. No matter what happens to you, you can be certain that all will work out well in the end. Difficulties are easier to handle when you know they’re temporary.

Assurance makes you zealous in obedience and service. If you’re doubtful about your salvation, you will be apathetic and discouraged. But if you’re sure, you will be hard-working and encouraged in serving the Lord.

Assurance gives you victory in temptation. When you are confident about your salvation, you can overcome the strongest temptation (see 1 Cor. 10:13). Even if you stumble occasionally, you will know that those events have not changed your standing before God. But you will be depressed and discouraged by temptation if you have no assurance. You’ll doubt your ability to cope with temptations and will wonder if falling victim to one or two will send you to Hell.

Assurance gives contentment in this life. You’ll rest secure in the promise that you have a glorious heavenly inheritance to look forward to. At the same time, you will be happy and satisfied that God “shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). But if you lack assurance of salvation, you’ll scramble and reach for all the world’s material goods and feel cheated when you don’t obtain them.

Assurance removes the fear of death. If you know you’re a child of God, you can be sure that the moment you die you will enter Heaven. If you don’t have that assurance, however, you’ll be even more afraid to die than one who has never heard of Christ.

If you are growing spiritually, you will have assurance, and that will let you enjoy these and other blessings as you look forward to being with the Lord for all eternity.

Suggestions for Prayer

Pray that God would help you share the blessings of assurance with someone else.

For Further Study

Read Psalm 138.

What was David thankful for? What reassurances are there for every believer?

[metmom]

ping

[Mark17]

When I was led to the Lord by the Navigators, one of the first things I was taught, was assurance of salvation. It truly is a beautiful thing. There is nothing more important than Heaven/Hell, and it is has been the the most wonderful blessing in my life, to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that I will be with Jesus FOREVER. Praise the Lord for that.

[metmom]

Without that assurance of the security of our salvation, we IMMEDIATELY fall into the trap of trying to work our way into KEEPING it.

We didn’t have to do anything to get it.

We don’t have to do anything to keep it.

There’s nothing we can do to get it.

There’s nothing we can do to keep it.

[Mark17]

Jesus sets us free. Free from the bondage of sin. We are slaves to whatever controls us. Previously, sin controlled us, so we were slaves to sin. He frees us, so we are no longer slaves to sin, not to do as we please, but to do what we should. 😎 Keep it going. 😂