DAVID DECLARES IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS Devotion 3 of 28 Confidence, assurance, knowing you have eternal life – these are not common topics of discussion in certain church circles. Some believe they deal only with radical positions held by certain denominations, and have little or no relationship to salvation. Confidence, however, ranks high in living by faith. For example, in Jesus, we "have boldness and access with confidence" to the Father, by faith in Him (Eph 3:10). -- Tomorrow:
"But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." (Romans 4:5-8, NKJV)
This confidence is so critical that it directly relates to the matter of partaking of Christ. "For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end" (Heb 3:14). Believers are urged, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb 10:35-36). Confidence, then, is required if we are to finish the race set before us. As a believer in Christ, you simply cannot afford to run "uncertainly" (1 Cor 9:26), unsure of your standing with God and your inheritance in heaven.
These things are not mere technicalities to be debated in schools of theology. Nor, indeed, are they intended to be a means of dividing the body of Christ into various systems of regimented thought. Assurance and confidence are experiences -- spiritual experiences. They are deeper and more profound than any bodily experience. They have an impact upon the human spirit, and produce all manner of spiritual fruitage within.
It is inconceivable that confidence and assurance could be possessed without those receiving them knowing it. If a woman healed of an issue of blood could know "what was done in her" (Mk 5:33), ought not deeper the experiences of the soul and spirit also be known to the individual? Knowing one have assurance and confidence will prompt expressions like, "I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (2 Tim 1:12, NASB).
The truth of the matter is that all people brought into Christ had a profound knowledge that something great had occurred to them. Thus those who were converted on Pentecost continued "daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people" (Acts 2:46-47). When the city of Samaria had given heed to the word preached by Philip, it is written, "And there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:8). Following his baptism, the Ethiopian eunuch "went on his way rejoicing," without Philip or any fellow believer accompanying him (Acts 8:39). After responding to the Gospel by being baptized, and after the Philippian jailor brought Paul and Silas "into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house" (Acts 16:34). It simply is not possible to have such rejoicing if there is doubt about being forgiven, accepted, and blessed by God. Rejoicing accompanies the perception of a change in status before the Lord.
This is a consistent pattern throughout Scripture. The conversion of the Ephesians is described in this manner. "Christ, in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Eph 1:13). It is said of the Thessalonians, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance" (1 Thess 1:5).
Our approach to God is to be accompanied by 'the full assurance of faith" (Heb 10:22). Every person in Christ is admonished to show diligence in order that they might realize "the full assurance of hope until the end" (Heb 6:11). Everything about salvation encourages and maintains assurance and confidence. Nothing about it inhibits or diminishes them. Both can, and ought, to, abound amount the people of God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant that I may see You and Your salvation so clearly, and have such faith, as will give me confidence and assurance in Your presence.