Grace based on facts not on personal feelings
“What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? And that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment? How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.”
Job 7:17-2
A person may not feel assured of their salvation, but feelings can be an unpredictable indicator of truth. Objective certainty grasps the facts of the principle itself, while subjective belief is based on what I might think or feel. The assurance of my salvation is total trust in my heavenly Father to forgive and pardon me of my sin based on my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and risen Lord. I might not feel forgiven or deserving of grace, but I can rest assured, because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for sin and set me free to live by grace. Assurance of salvation is God’s gift.
Job struggles with his assurance of God’s forgiveness, because his mind and emotions have been whipsawed back and forth into a faithless frenzy. His friends condemn him for his perceived sin and heaven seems silent to his prayers, as he pours out to the Lord in his unmerited suffering. Job lacks assurance of salvation not because his faith is not genuine, but because he has succumbed to subjective feelings of guilt and fear that flow from his horrendous circumstances. Life can crush us into a state of confusion, while we still desperately cry out to Christ for clarity.
“I, even I, am he who blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” (Isaiah 43:25).
Christ offers calm assurance in the middle of circumstantial chaos. Out of confusion, you may ask, “Where do I go? What do I do?” Relational conflict may have caused your resolve for decisions of integrity to reach a breaking point of emotional collapse—like the twin towers on 9/11, you feel viciously attacked by outside forces. First take a deep spiritual breath—exhale fear and inhale faith. Do not allow panic to take your mind and heart to a worst case scenario, instead hope in the Holy Spirit to do a work of grace in your heart. Assurance comes to a submitted soul.
Humility of heart is your default when you feel no one understands your situation—not even your heavenly Father. A humble spirit is not afraid to admit its mistakes and ask for help, nor does it demand to have its way. You do not have to do what the world says is important to be important. Be faithful where the Lord has you—be assured you are very valued and cherished by your Savior Jesus. Let your humility grow your heart of patience with other people. You can’t change them, but you can let the Spirit change and grow you. Salvation’s assurance ensures the humble.
“Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, by faith I receive Your gift of my assurance of salvation.
Application
How can I grow in humility in my expectations of others?
Related Readings
Psalm 16:11; John 17:3; 1 John 3:15, 5:13; 1 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 11:1
