Assurance is, as it were, the cream of faith.” –William Gurnall
One of the benefits to the spiritual practice of conference (two to ten people gathering together to discuss a variety of spiritual topics) is the believer’s possessing a sense of assurance. The Rev. Henry Newcome’s question, “What evidences do I have for heaven?” is a soul-examining, soul-assuring kind of question. Similar questions might be: How do I know that I have come to faith in Jesus Christ? What kind of fruit is present in my life that confirms that I am walking with Jesus Christ? Assurance is different than faith and William Gurnall captured that difference nicely, “Assurance saith, I believe my sins are pardoned through Christ; faith’s language is, I believe on Christ for the pardon of them.” [William Gurnall, The Puritan Remembrancer, 17.] Assurance has to do with your confidence that you are in right relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Having assurance is not the same as having salvation. There are plenty of believers who do not enjoy assurance but have crossed from death to life and who will never be cast aside by the Lord. (John 5:24; 6:39-40; 10:29)
There are some who might falsely reason, ‘Perhaps God does not want his children to have assurance because if they did then they would not pursue him or work diligently for him?’ Borrowing the language of the apostle Paul, I say, ‘God forbid!’ May God strike any such thought or question down immediately. Such a thought grieves the Spirit of God and is contrary to the plain testimony of Scripture. The apostle John draws a direct link between eternal life and assurance of salvation:
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:11-13, ESV)
In the weeks to come, we will explore the Scriptural notion of assurance. We will observe why it is so important and beneficial. We will examine some test questions to help guide us toward its possession and enjoyment. Wow! If that doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is wet! Have a blessed week and we will see you on this particular Sunday at Crossway Bible Church.
Your friend and servant in the concerns of your soul,
Pastor Dale