Sunday, February 17, 2013
THE SPIRIT AND ASSURANCE
Rom. 8:14-16
Please
allow me to share some thoughts from my heart this morning. I confess to you that sometimes I don't
properly appreciate the gravity of sharing God's Word with His people. It's not that I don't want to take it
seriously, but I am capable of getting comfortable in routine. Perhaps some of you struggle with the same
issue in how seriously you take hearing the Word of God. But I must say that in these days I am
feeling the weight of the responsibility, especially when I consider again that
I must give account as an undershepherd for the way I have watched over the
souls of this flock. I trust this is a
good thing. I can honestly say that God
gives me joy, but I cannot deny that this is something that must be taken with
the utmost seriousness.
Perhaps the
reason I am sensing the weight of my responsibility has something to do with
where we have been lately. Three weeks
ago we baptized a new brother. What a
great joy. Yet who can fail to be
reminded that we live among many others who are in danger of having to say,
"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are saved" (Jer.
8:20). And that is true of
people right here in our midst this morning.
In other words, life is not a game for any of us; we are dealing with
life and death matters day in and day out.
I find that
truth to be especially sobering, when preaching the Word of God. Two weeks ago we looked at those strong words
in Galatians 5. Let me read them again from
Gal.
5:19-21...
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions,
heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I
tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who
practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We spent
some time with that concept that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God. We were
forced to acknowledge that this is a very strong message. However, it is not an isolated truth that is
not found throughout the New Testament.
We read a similar statement in 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Do you not know
that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." We won't take time to read I John 3:4-10, but
it is even stronger. The force of the
New Testament message is that those who have been born of the Spirit do not
continue in a life of habitual sin.
While the
biblical message is clear, our own experience gives rise to some very difficult
questions. How do we define the term
"practice" that we found in the NKJV of Gal. 5:21? We know it doesn't mean that committing one
of these sins on one occasion reveals that the person is not a Christian. But if that isn't practicing these sins, then
what constitutes practice? What if I
commit one of these things a half a dozen times? And how long can a true Christian persist in
committing such sins? And what if a
professing Christian is plagued by one particular sin that he can't seem to
shake? Sometimes it is referred to as "a
besetting sin." Whether it be lust
or gossip or cussing or losing one's temper, does its continual presence mean
that I am not a true child of God? Those
are real questions that arise in the minds of most believers.
Having said
that, I need to say something else. I am
aware that preaching on such texts as these might cause people to have doubts
about their salvation. We might say,
"If unbelievers have doubts, that is good." Yes, that's true, but what if true believers
have doubts? It is a serious thing to
bring doubts into the hearts of those who are genuine children of our heavenly
Father. I can't take that lightly. This last week I read these lines from Pastor
John MacArthur...
Some lack assurance because of being under strong
biblical preaching on God's holy standard. Such preaching forces people to see
their sinfulness and acknowledge that the holiness of God calls them to a lofty
standard of living. Is that bad? No, the pulpit should be the creator of
anxious hearts. How else can it unsettle those who have false assurance?
However, the consistent call to righteousness may unsettle some Christians,
particularly those who are frequently succumbing to temptations. (Sermon:
A Believer's Assurance: A
Practical Guide to Victory Over Doubt. Find at http://www.gty.org/resources/positions/P17/a-believers-assurance-a-practical-guide-to-victory-over-doubt)
We want to
be sensitive to our tender consciences, but if we are not careful, we can have
such a fear of causing doubt that we shy away from the truth of scripture. God's Word is not designed to always make us
feel good. Remember that "all
scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim. 3:16). An important function of God's Word
is to point out sin and bring us to correction.
There are times when the process may cause a person to doubt his
salvation. And remember that the Bible
itself leaves room for doubt, because Paul says, "Examine yourself as to
whether you are in the faith" (II Cor. 13:5). Though we don't want to be consumed with
self-examination, there is a definite place for it. Rather than denying doubt, we care called on
to deal with doubt.
So does the
Holy Spirit have any role in this process?
Absolutely. Perhaps that brings
to your mind a passage we have looked at before. Let's read again Rom. 8:14-16, "For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did
not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of
adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' 16 The Spirit Himself bears
witness with our spirit that we are children of God." What a wonderful passage of assurance -- led
by the Spirit of God, blessed by the Spirit of adoption, witnessed to by the
Spirit Himself. Add to that those
glorious words from later in the chapter -- Rom. 8:28-38...
And we know that all things work together for good
to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His
Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He
predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and
whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these
things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His
own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely
give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God
who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and
furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes
intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We
are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we
are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that
neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things
present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created
thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
This
morning let's look at three sources of assurance. I realize that we are only scratching the
surface, but I believe it will help us to think along these lines. As our thinking is stimulated, we can expand
these ideas in personal conversations and perhaps in our Wednesday evening
meeting.
I. Assurance through Faith
"For
by grace are you saved through _______" (Eph. 2:8). We know it well -- we are saved by grace
through faith. Paul goes on to say that
it isn't by any works on our part. If
that were the case, there would be room for boasting. In I Corinthians 1 Paul emphasizes the fact
that God chooses the weak and the foolish and the base, that no one can ever
boast in His presence (I Cor. 1:26-31).
Our part in justification, the initial stage of salvation, is faith, and
even that faith is a gift from God.
But as you
well know, that is only the beginning of salvation. Though Paul speaks of being saved in the past
in Eph. 2:8, other scriptures make it clear that we are being saved in the
present (sanctification), and one day will come the ultimate completion of our
salvation (glorification). That presents
a question: If we were initially
justified through faith, then how are we sanctified? To put it another way, if we were saved by
faith in the first place, how do we remain saved?
Let me
pause right here. We are not going to
deal with the issue of whether or not a person can lose his salvation. We have dealt with it in the past, and we will
certainly deal with it in the future, but we don't have time to adequately do
so this morning. We teach without
apology that salvation is of God and the God who saves is the God who keeps. However, we also acknowledge that there are
genuine and sincere brothers and sisters who believe that we can lose our
salvation, and we can have blessed fellowship with those brothers and
sisters. But understand this morn-ing
that I am operating from the conviction that we cannot lose our salvation. I trust that you will not lump me in with
those who say we can trust Christ for salvation and then live any way we want
to. That is a perversion of the
truth. Those who are saved will
persevere in faith.
And that
brings us back to the term "faith."
Please turn to I Peter. Let's
read I Pet. 1:3-9...
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved
in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for
salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than
gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor,
and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith--the salvation
of your souls.
What a
beautiful picture. Peter moves from
initial salvation in verse 3, when he speaks of us being born again, and then
moves to ultimate and final salvation in verse 9. The life in between is a life of joy, even
though it includes some not-so-gentle testing along the way. But how does a Christian stay the course from
conversion to glory? We are told in verse
5, "Who are kept by the power of God." Praise God!
There is an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance laid up
for us in heaven. We can trust God to
keep the inheritance for us, but can we trust Him to keep us for the
inheritance? Absolutely. He who has the power to save us has the power
to keep us. But that isn't the end of
the story. How does He keep us? "Who are kept by the power of God
through faith for salvation ready to be revealed at the last time." God doesn't keep us apart from faith, but
through our faith. This idea that a
person can confess Christ, totally abandon the faith, and still go to heaven is
not the faith of the New Testament. God
keeps us by continuing to stir up faith within us.
Make no mistake,
this continuing faith is the work of the Spirit. Let's go back up to the opening words of I
Peter 1. I Pet. 1:1-2, "Peter,
an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied." The Spirit sanctified us, in that He set us
apart unto God, but His work is a continuing work. The work of setting us apart will not be
complete until we meet Jesus face to face.
Sanctification is the Spirit's work, but He does not continually set us apart
by pushing some heavenly button. Rather,
He works in us in such a way that our greatest joy is to continue to put our
faith in Jesus, to trust our heavenly Father in all circumstances. God keeps us by His power, which works
through our Spirit-initiated faith.
When we
trust our Father, our assurance grows.
If you want to be assured of your salvation, trust God. Of course, we have a tendency to make faith
some mysterious fuzzy thing over which we have no control. I have heard people say, "I wish I had
faith, but I just don't." Jesus
commands faith. Mark 11:22, "So
Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God.'" If you have the Spirit, you have the capacity
to trust God. And when you do, you will
find assurance growing within you.
Surely it
isn't a difficult thing to trust God.
You trusted Him to save you; now trust Him to keep you. Trust Him to direct your steps day by
day. "He who did not spare His own
Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely
give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32).
Assurance
comes through faith.
II. Assurance through Obedience
Come back
to Rom.
8:16, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God." So how does
the Spirit do that? How does He bear
witness with our Spirit that we are children of God? Quite a number of people have pointed out
that the Spirit accomplishes this task by revealing His work in us. In other words, the Spirit bears witness with
our spirit that we are children of God by producing certain marks within us
that are characteristic of true believers.
One of those marks is obedience.
To put it bluntly, if you obey God, that is the Spirit bearing witness
that you are a child of God. This is
consistent with those simple words of Jesus, "If you love me, keep my
commandments" [or, "If you love me, you will keep my
commandments"] (John 14:15).
We could
turn to dozens of scriptures that speak about obedience, but let's turn to I
John. Before we read from chapter 2, let
me just remind you that this letter has special relevance to the question of
assurance, for it was written for the very purpose of giving assurance to the
believer. I John 5:12-13, "He
who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son
of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the
Son of God." One commentator
entitles his work: The Tests of Life
(Robert Law). That is an appropriate
title because I John is full of tests by which a believer may look at his life
and evaluate whether or not he is truly a believer. It contains marks of the true Christian.
One of
those tests, and the one which in a certain sense embraces all the others, is
the test of obedience. Let's read it in I
John 2:3-6...
Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His
commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His
word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in
Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He
walked.
As we think
about this test of obedience, we immediately see how appropriate and how
necessary it is. It reinforces the truth
we know well: Not everyone who professes
to know God through Jesus Christ is a true Christian. To say that you know Jesus while disobeying
Him is nothing short of a lie. At the
same time, these words can give occasion to some very serious questions. But I don't always keep His
commandments. Sometimes I disobey. And I certainly fall short of walking as
Jesus walked. Does this mean that I
don't really know Him? How perfectly do
I need to obey Him? How closely must my
lifestyle approach that of Jesus? These
are basically the same questions we asked about the "practice" of the
works of the flesh in Gal. 5:21.
First of
all, let me again be clear that this is not talking about a single act of
disobedience, or even isolated instances of disobedience. Rather, it speaks of a lifestyle of
disobedience. Notice the context here in
I John. Let' read 1 John 1:6, "If we
say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth." That is very
much parallel to what we read here in 2:3-6.
Then in verses 8-10 John makes it clear that we are not to deny the
presence of sin in our lives. Rather, we
are to confess our sins. When we do, God
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness (9).
Now come to
2:1,
"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may
not sin..." This construction is
different than what we find in 2:3-6.
Here John is exhorting us not to commit a single sin. That is our goal. But read the end of the verse: "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate
[Helper, Comforter, One called alongside; same word that is used of the Holy
Spirit in John 14] with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous" (2:1b).
We don't want to sin, but sometimes we
mess up and sin against our God. Praise
God that He forgives us because Jesus, the propitiation for our sins, went to
the cross and bore the wrath of His Father in our place. But verses 3-6 then remind us that we must
not be deceived. If we claim to know the
Lord while continuing to live a life of disobedience toward Him, we do not
belong to Him.
Looking at
this passage helps us to see that obedience and disobedience go deeper than
just action; they include attitude. Has
anyone here ever hurt someone else unintentionally? The last thing in the world you wanted to do
was hurt that person, and yet you did it and you can't take it back. It hurts you to know that you hurt him or
her. That is altogether different that
deliberately causing such hurt. That's
kind of the way it is with obedience and disobedience. What is the attitude of your heart? When you sin, does it break your heart? Do you truly desire not to sin against the
One who redeemed you?
Or look at it
another way? Are you growing in
obedience? Though you still sin, are you
overcoming certain sins in your life?
Are you finding greater joy in walking with the Lord? Do you find an attitude of love flooding you,
even when others mistreat you? These are
strong reasons for assurance.
At this
point, let's be clear on the fact that there is a difference between truly
being saved and having assurance that you are saved. This is the fallacy of always looking to past
experience for assurance. Assurance that
has nothing to do with the present is false assurance. I grew up with the attitude that said,
"If you ever doubt your salvation, you just take that old devil back to
the day when you gave your life to Jesus."
That is not the way we examine ourselves to see if we are in the
faith. Biblical assurance looks to our
present relationship with the Lord. And
as we long to obey Him and find that our obedience is increasing, we gain
assurance, knowing that it is only because the Spirit of the Lord is working in
us.
So the
Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God by giving
us a longing to obey our Lord and enabling us to progress in that life of
obedience. Of course, that obedience
goes hand in hand with the other tests of I John, such as love for the
brethren. We are to obey the command,
"Love one another."
III. Assurance through Worship
We have
seen that Spirit testifies to our adoption as children by producing in us the
kind of life that is characteristic of God's children. However, when I read this passage in Romans
8, that is not the first thing that comes to my mind. Please read with me again Rom.
8:14-16, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are
sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' 16
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of
God." When I read that passage, I get the idea that
the Holy Spirit is going to do more than give me an indirect witness through
certain characteristics in my life. I am
expecting Him to directly testify with my spirit that I am a child of God.
Remember
that Paul was writing this letter to the church at Rome. Adoption was very common in Roman
society. When an adoption took place,
there was a requirement that seven official witnesses had to be present. Why?
Think about it. Suppose the
parents die. Some of the natural born
children may not want to share the inheritance with the adopted child. What is to stop them from claiming that he is
not a true son in the family? Seven
witnesses come forth and testify to the fact that he was officially and legally
adopted into the family and has the same right to inheritance as the rest of
the children.
In the same
way, the Holy Spirit bears witness that the Father has adopted us as His
children. We ourselves may sometimes
doubt that this adoption is real. Our
mind may play tricks on us. But praise
God that the Spirit Himself does indeed bear witness with our spirit that we
are children of God. How does He do
it? By raising from deep within us this
voice that cries out, "Abba, Father."
That term "Abba" is an Aramaic word that is somewhat kin to
our word "Daddy." While
"Father" identifies the official family relationship,
"Abba" is a term of affection.
The Holy Spirit works within our spirit in such a way that we cry out,
"Abba, Father."
On the
bulletin table we have some copies of a little piece called, "The
Exchanged Life." It is a letter
that Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, wrote to his sister. In that letter he describes how discouraged
and desperate he had become. If you read
all of it, you will see how he explains the wonderful victory he found in
Christ, but that was only after some desperate times. In that context, I won't to read a few lines
from that letter...
Then came the question, “Is there no rescue? Must it
be thus to the end — constant conflict and, instead of victory, too often
defeat?” How, too, could I preach with
sincerity that to those who receive Jesus, "to them He gave the right to become
children of God” (John 1:12) (i.e., to become Godlike) when it was not so in my
own experience? Instead of growing
stronger, I seemed to be getting weaker and to have less power against sin; and
no wonder, for faith and even hope were getting very low. I hated myself; I hated my sin; and yet I
gained no strength against it. I felt I
was a child of God; His Spirit in my heart would cry, in spite of all, “Abba,
Father."
Praise God
for the indirect witness of the Spirit, as He stirs faith within us, leads us
to obedience, opens the scriptures to us, but we can also praise Him for the
times when He gives direct witness by producing within us the attitude that
cries, "Abba, Father." Such an
attitude might rise at any time, but surely there is no better time than when
we come to worship the God who has adopted us as His sons and daughters.
Jesus said
to the woman at the well and Jesus says to us, "But the hour is coming,
and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and
truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and
those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). When we worship the Father in Spirit and in
truth, surely the Spirit will cry out with our spirit, "Abba,
Father." "O come, let us
worship and bow down. Let us kneel
before the Lord our Maker. For He is our
God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand" (Ps.
95:6-7). That's not just a song;
it's a song from the very words of scripture.
It is the Lord's invitation to His people, and surely His Spirit within
us will answer when we respond to that precious invitation.
I'm not
just talking about our time to worship the Lord together; I'm talking about how
we as individual believers have the privilege of worshiping our Father. Even experiences of worship can be deceiving,
but such deception is far less likely when we are alone with the Lord. Brothers and sisters, He created us for
worship. We have no higher calling than
to worship Him who sent His Son to redeem us.
As Mary looked away from even the good things that she could have done
and sat at Jesus' feet, may we come humbly to kneel at His feet and give Him
glory.
Brothers
and sisters, if we lack assurance, let us come directly to the throne of God
and worship Him who is worthy. What can
dispel doubt more effectively than proclaiming from our hearts, "Thou art
worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power... Amen!
Blessing and glory and wisdom; thanksgiving and honor and power and might
be to our God forever and ever.
Amen!" (Rev. 4:11; 7:12). If He
doesn't answer immediately, then let us linger in His presence. Perhaps that is what He is waiting for, for
us to long for Him more than anything else in this world. This is who we are -- worshippers of the true
and living God. "One thing have I
desired of the Lord -- that will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to
behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple" (Ps.
27:4). One thing is
needful. Like Mary, may we choose that
good part , which will not be taken away from us.
Conclusion
If you read
the scripture, and that reading of the Word of God causes you to doubt, makes
you wonder if you really belong to Him, don't deny that doubt. Deal with it.
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith" (II
Cor. 13:5). Don't put your stock
in a past experience, but look to Him who is the author of all genuine saving
experiences. Our God is big enough to
handle our doubts. Come to Him with an
honest heart, and you will never be disappointed.
If you want
to be assured of your salvation, trust God.
You say, "But I can't trust Him." If you are His child, you can trust Him. But you don't feel like trusting Him. Then turn to His precious Word and read His
promises. Ps. 2:12, "Blessed
are all they that put their trust in Him."
Ps. 40:4, "Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his
trust..." Jer. 17:7, "Blessed
is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord." Think on those precious promises. Then let us hear the sweet counsel our Lord
gives us: "Trust in the Lord with
all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths" (Prov. 3:5-6). Read it aloud. Then talk to the Lord about it. Ask Him to stir up that faith within
you. As you do, know that the Spirit
will undertake that work that you cannot accomplish on your own.
If you lack
assurance, obey what you know to be the will of the Lord. Don't let the immensity of your past
disobedience paralyze you. Start with
what you know to obey, and in the power of His Spirit obey. As I listened to those sisters sing at the
beginning of the service, I sensed a certain assurance in those heart-felt words...
I'll
say, Yes, Lord, Yes, to your will and to your way.
I'll
say, Yes, Lord, Yes; I will trust you and obey.
When
your Spirit speaks to me, with my whole heart I'll agree,
And
my answer will be Yes, Lord, Yes.
In the times of deepest confusion and discouragement, let us
say, "Yes, Lord, Yes."
Brother or
sister, if you are doubting, if your heart is cold, get away and be alone with
your Lord. I know of nothing more
important. Set aside significant time to
just be with Jesus. Set your heart to
worship your Father in Spirit and in truth, because that is what He is seeking.
With love,
I want to simply say this: You may not
be trusting the Lord, obeying the Lord, or worshiping the Lord, and you may
still be His child... but don't expect to know true biblical assurance. Don't rest on the fact that you had some
experience in the past, because our God is Lord of the present. The good news is that we can know we are His
children. Surely He wants us to rejoice
in such knowledge. And when we are
praising God that we know Him, we will long to make Him known.
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