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IEA Devo 2023 assurance for believers • Becoming a Disciple-Maker

Assurance for Believers – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

“…they will never perish…”
(John 10:28b)

 

Part One

Charles Spurgeon, Britain’s greatly loved 19th century pastor once asked, “How could we ever grieve our God by doubting His timeless grace? It is contrary to every promise in His precious Word that we should miss the privilege of experiencing His forgiveness and simply be left to perish.” Those who accept the Savior will be saved forever.

Quietly pause to contemplate the unshakable certainty of the word never which was spoken by our Lord. In context, He was speaking about believing disciples when He said, “…I give them eternal life, and they will never perish…” Consider this theological truth – if any forgiven sinner who placed their faith in heaven’s Savior were to die and then be separated from God – all of the Holy Spirit’s other promises in the Bible would be meaningless! Jesus words, “…no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:29b) is the basis for our assurance. The Lord’s full statement describes a double grip salvation. Jesus said, “…no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:28b-30)

 

Part Two

Jesus said, “I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matthew 12:31) Except for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, all our sins have already been paid for. This is the assurance provided through God’s grace! Salvation only needs to be appropriated by sincere faith in Jesus Christ. In one solitary, life changing moment our heartfelt “yes” makes all the difference. Through that deeply sincere act of our will, God’s eternal presence becomes personally and permanently ours! Said another way, potentially, the gift of eternal life already belongs to every person on earth. However, that peace and security only becomes experientially ours – when we humbly receive it. That requires placing our faith in the Savior.

Self-help provides no benefit when it comes to the blessing of eternal life. Everything rests in the finished work of Christ on the cross (see John 19:30). The Bible explains that we are helpless when it comes to removing the deep stain of our chosen iniquity. Only God’s chosen sacrifice possesses the eternal power to cleanse and forgive our sin!

 

Part Three

The Lord’s limitless capacity to change us overwhelms our understanding! Both for time and all eternity, heaven’s promises have forever been sealed. This transaction took place at the moment of the Lord’s death. His sacrifice provided the timeless substitution and provided our forgiveness when – He painfully announced, “It is finished…!” (John 19:30) With that declaration – our Savior literally became the sin of all mankind! In that divine moment of fathomless love, an unseen spiritual exchange took place which made eternal life possible! The Bible explains this miracle saying, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Our assurance rests securely in our Father’s hands, so our fears and doubts can all be banished. The amazing truth is – “… with God nothing is impossible.” (Luke 1:37) Instead of endless questioning, start rejoicing! Remember that doubt dishonors truth and cannot express thanksgiving. It belittles the open evidence of God’s divine love. Did He not declare, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17b) and did He not say, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5b)

In a hurting world, the privilege given to every Christian is the ability to share heaven’s joy with complete confidence. Assurance is at the very heart of your testimony!

 

By Billie Hanks Jr.

Leave a comment

  1. It was a blessing to have encountered this wonderful teachings. It was wonderful and would love to explore the greatest depth of it.
    Thanks so much to Dr. Hanks Jr.

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