Assurance Is Attainable

Immediately the Father

of the child cried out

and said with tears,

'Lord, I believe; 

help my unbelief

Mark 9:24

     The question in regards to assurance is: is it essential to faith? No! To say so is to speak contrary to Scripture and to the experience of Christians. What is meant? First the Bible speaks of a weak faith and throughout Scripture there can be found consolation that is surely intended for those doubting and are despondent. Here is some good news: God accepts those who can only say the above Scripture; "help my unbelief." Maybe this has happened to you that faith has become mere intellectual assent because faith has become founded on assurance. If so, then faith is nothing more than an intellectual function. Furthermore, when faith is founded upon assurance it is easy to become censorious. We begin to refuse and recognize those who do not agree with us. Now, this is not to say not to disagree with those whose practices and theology are contrary to Scripture for we are commanded to be on watch for those types and to correct wrong when it occurs. The Apostles and early Church fathers spoke and wrote against heresy and wrongdoing. What is refused is matters of indifference such as simple as using chairs, or Church pews, maybe more serious would be communion; is it done every Sunday, once a month? When? The Bible speaks clearly on that matter, when it is done, then do it as set forth in the Bible. If we continue to refuse other brothers and sisters in Christ we often are also, antinimian. 

     The Scriptures teach and experience teach that assurance is attainable and is a privilege and a duty. When faith is not present there may be assurance, but where there is true faith, the lace of assurance is either to the weakness of faith, or to erroneous views of the plan of salvation. It is easy to become to introspective, meaning that those who are are looking exclusively within themselves and their hope is graduated by the degree of evidence of regeneration which they find in their own experience. Only rarely can this lead  to the assurance of hope. It is that we may examine ourselves microscopically and never be satisfied that we have eliminated every ground  of misgiving and doubt. You see, the ground of assurance is not so much within us, it is without us. Scripture is universal and unconditional in regards to the promises that God gives to those who come to Him in Christ. God will in no way cast them out and whoever will come, take this living water can and without any money for there is no price that can buy that promise. We must abound in assurance that God is faithful and will certainly save those who believe. God love in infinite, immutable, and gratuitous. Paul writes in Romans 8:34, and emphasizes these points: "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 (Romans 8:34). The covenant of redemption promises that all given by the Father to the Son, shall come to Him, and that none of them will be lost: :While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept, and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (John 17:12). Christ infinitely makes intercession for all those given to Him and the Holy Spirit assures us that we are the objects of that love which Paul goes on to describe as not only infinite, but immutable, and gratuitous (Romans 5:3-5). It is the Holy Spirit that bears witness that we are the children of God. Now, if any true believer lacks the assurance of faith, this fault is within themselves and not in the plan of salvation or in the promises of God.

     Our assurance is not of faith, but, it is included in faith. Assurance is just that, it is assured, it is promised by the immutable and infinite God, through His Son and testified to His children. Rest assured, have faith in God, and allow the rest and peace of God guard your hearts.

For the LORD is righteous,

     He loves righteousness;

His countenance beholds the 

    upright.

                 Psalm 11:7

May God Bless

Richard L. Crumb