Are You Sure?-1/31/2012 (rp)

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

Even among the people of God, if asked about the certainty of our salvation, many are anything but. For those plagued by this doubt, the source almost certainly comes from our limited grasp of the concept of salvation, our intimate knowledge of our own shortcomings or our failure to understand the power of God.

The fact that salvation is a multifaceted gift causes us to struggle at times. For as long as we can remember, we were taught to work hard for what we want. Yes we know what a gift is, but the concept of the gift of eternal life tests the bounds of credibility and our own understanding. In fact, legalism sprang from this very idea. To this day there are many who, by virtue of the way they live their lives (and teach others) are trying to earn heaven. Eph 2:8,9 states that, "For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

The opposite side of the coin of earning your way is feeling the hopelessness of knowing that we are sinful creatures. How often have we heard or said that God can never forgive us for what we have done or that we are undeserving, leaving us too ashamed to lift our heads, let alone darken the door of a church building? Beloved, we must understand and believe that God knows each and every one of us even better than we know ourselves. This knowledge and His love caused him to perform an act greater than creation itself: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Rom 5:8.

Finally, if we suffer from either of these thought processes, it demonstrates a lack of understanding of the power of God. And because God exceeds us infinitely, this is understandable, however, He has given us His word that we might understand what He wants us to know. Those who feel they can earn salvation should know that it can only be supplied by Him. Those who feel that they can never be saved should know that the same God who spoke the universe into existence in all of its vastness can surely preserve you and I. The Spirit inspired John to "write these things that we may believe and that we might know." Rest assured brothers and sisters. God has seen to it.

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Lee