blessed assurance

I had two conversations this week about assurance. One was with someone who was lamenting their own lack of assurance-they struggle to trust that they are forgiven and saved because they can see the sin in their own life.  The second conversation was with my husband. We were at a funeral recently where assurance of salvation and eternal life was NOT preached-even though the deceased was a professing Christian.

Article 11 of the 39 Articles, a foundational document of Anglicanism, says this:

We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings: Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort,

We are comforted by this doctrine of justification because it tells us clearly that it is the merits of Christ that save and transform us, not our own effort. Jesus has poured out his loving grace on us so that we have harmony with God. We do not claw our way back into God’s graces, we submit to the Kingship of His Son and become members of His Kingdom.

When we know who Christ is-our humble Savior-we trust that He will do what He has promised. We can rest in the assurance of our salvation.

The hymn Blessed Assurance expresses this beautifully:

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

We are heirs, because our ransom was paid for by the sinless Son of God. We are washed by the blood of the lamb, and blessed with His Holy Spirit. That same Spirit works in us to sanctify us-to make us more like Jesus. But don’t be confused, beloved. Our incomplete sanctification doesn’t somehow nullify what Jesus did on the cross.

St. Paul tells us: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

And Jesus himself said: I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 

So rejoice in the assurance of your salvation, brothers and sisters. The great love, compassion and sacrifice of Christ has secured eternal life for you.

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

Grace and peace, Tracey+