Blessed Assurance
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“Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:22-23
The Scriptures tell us we can be absolutely certain that we are saved, and yet many Christians are plagued by doubts. What causes this uncertainty?
Sin can trigger something inside us that gnaws away at our faith. Satan says, “Don’t tell me you’re saved. Look at your past. Look at your life.”
Another cause of doubt is false teachings. Some people claim there is no way to be certain we are saved. Others teach that we can somehow lose our salvation. But the Bible promises that we can know we have eternal life and that true salvation is irreversible.
A third reason for doubt is failure to believe God’s Word. The Bible promises that if we have His Son, we have eternal life. (1 John 5:12) We can either believe or reject what God promises in His Word.
Another reason is that we focus on emotions, which can quickly change. If salvation were based on feelings, we would never know from one day to the next if we were saved. What’s more, believers sometimes doubt their salvation because they compare themselves to other people. Take your eyes off them, and start looking to Jesus!
Sometimes trials and tragedies make us vulnerable to doubt. When Satan sees a child of God discouraged or hurting physically, he will often launch a vicious attack.
Our faith must not be based upon our circumstances, but on the truth of God’s Word. When you doubt for any reason, go back to Scripture and let the Lord assure you of His love and His provision.
Question: Which of the “causes of doubt” that Dr Stanley lists do you find yourself facing most often, and why?
About this Author: Charles Stanley
It is a blessing to read today’s letter! I’m used since childhood to worry, fear, doubt, scruple and get negative thoughts about almost everything in my life! Although I pray a lot and have Faith, but sometimes or many times I feel worry & negative instead of having strong Faith and Hope in God, although God helped me and always helping me and giving me new chances and hopes! Now I’m in a new adventure in my life, but still having fear and many times pain in my heart because of anxious thoughts! I’m always praying to make my belief, Faith and hope in God stronger because we can receive protection, blessings and anything we request through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
When trials face us the only place to turn is to Gods word. Right now I am facing a trial of losing my job of 15 years and some days satan tries to get at me by making me feel worthless, but if I stay in the word and pray through out the day Jesus lets me know that there is hope. The Holly Spirit fills us with the knowledge that thevHeavenly Father has control of every event here on earth and always has the perfect plan for us and our lives.