Some Sure Things

 ~ Are Your Thoughts and Decisions Aligned With Reality? ~

Our culture has a saying: “There are only two sure things—death and taxes.”  The Word of God provides a different list of things that are sure!

Universal Death  ~  Each of us are terminal the day we are born!  “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.  To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Exposure of Sin  ~  “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23b).  “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.  To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

The Truth of God  ~  “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:19). 

The Truth of Biblical Prophecy  ~  “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:19-21).

The Truth of Christ’s Second Coming  ~  “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly’  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).    

Eternity Future  ~  “This hope [literally: this certainty] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Christian Certainty

 

~ Certainty (not doubt) Is The Normal Christian Position ~ 

What Christians Are  ~  “For the message of the Cross is … to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).  “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake” (1 John 2:12).

What Christians Know  ~  “We know that we have passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14a).  “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him.  And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (1 John 3:24).  “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 John 5:11).  “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (1 John 5:19). 

What Christians Have  ~  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).  “Be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).  “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14a).

What Christians Expect  ~  “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).  “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16). 

Blessed Assurance  ~  Consider the great Christian hymn:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

Closing Question  ~  To you have this Blessed Assurance?  If not, why not?  You can have complete confidence in the One who died on your behalf as payment for your sins!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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