GOODNEWS LETTER
Number 368 April 20,2011
ASSURANCE
"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever,"
Isaiah 32:17.
Everyone knows about the ASSURANCE that is brought to the heart by the Gospel. "How Sweet The Sound" always resounds within the heart each time we sing about our "Blessed Assurance" ... All together, now - a one and, a two...!
Assurance comes with from love which, is never far from the work of the Holy Spirit. When we preach this blessed truth, God lifts us up in the FINISHED WORK, of Jesus. Such leadership always rejoices in the KNOW-SO-SALVATION that we have by grace.
Our "Blessed Assurance" is against THAT DAY; when we must all stand before the throne of God (saved at the Judgment Seat of Christ). Paul writes in Acts 17:31, "Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He shall judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus) whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given ASSURANCE to all men in that He hath raised Him from the dead."
Response to the sermon of the resurrection of the dead gets the same reception today as Paul heard in his day. First, "...some mocked." Then, they say, "...we will hear again of this matter" (v 32). Man has always leaned toward the "later" attitude; even, when they hear about eternal things. Their mind-set says, "I hope this is true but, right now, I'm too busy. Besides, I like what I'm doing."
However, but, nevertheless and all the conjunctions we can come up with, cannot remove the love of God from us. We have experienced Jesus in the saving of our souls. God's love produces the glorious assurance in us that we thank the Lord for His witness of the Holy Spirit.
Of course, we get this truth from Paul in the first Chapter of Ist Thessalonians, verse 5: "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;" The power of God only, can remove the sin in our hearts. The result is total peace. At the moment of trust, the Holy Spirit removes sin, replacing it with eternal salvation and the peace that comes from God's love. This is the testimony of all who have trusted. It's glorious!
Yes! Assurance is sweet and blessed. Paul desired that all hearts come to know it's meaning; stating, that each one "might be knited in love ...' and 'the riches of the full ASSURANCE of understanding." Pastors have the same spirit as Paul, crying out for all church members to accept, "...the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;" fruther knowing that " ... all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (of salvation) are hidden in the Trinity and the respective work of each Person of the GodHead (Colossians 2:2-3).
True ASSURANCE comes to our hearts when we are "knited in love," according to I John 3, verse 18. John instructs us, negatively, that we "... not love in word, neither in tongue (only), but in DEED AND IN TRUTH."
Every preacher and pastor reminds the congregation that Love is a mandatory teaching. Without love, we cannot grow. And, this is especially true when congregated together. Often, we have to PUT UP WITH each other. And, that's a good thing; for, patience is a gift of the Spirit, too. As love works, we can know that "we are of the truth." The same verse of Ist John 3:19 states that love is required; in order to have our 'hearts assured before Him.'"
The heart is the answer to God's grace given to mankind. Check out if there's enough love in your heart. Can we answer with a great big "Amen?" We can, if we receive His grace. His eternal assurance fills our heart with the message of the writer of Hebrews, 10:22. We must learn to "... draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
I think the water in this verse is used for the Word of God; but, anyway, we are to "hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, for He is faithful that promised. And then, Hebrews goes to the answer of the heart; which, always works things out in love. Again, we are informed " ... to provoke unto love and to good works" (10:24).