Posted on by Bill

The Assurance of The Believer

Gal 4 v 1-7 (KJV) – Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

This post is very much a paraphrase of another excellent John MacArthur sermon about the Assurance of the Believer. The gospel is not ambiguous as are most of the false religions. The gospel states that every human being is a sinner and will experience the judgment of God at the appointed time if a remedy is not found. We can do nothing to change this on our own. The proof that we are all sinners is that we die! The penalty for sin, according to scripture is death.

The good news is that God loves the world and loves sinners, and he provided deliverance for us in the form of the sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. The question to be discussed in this sermon from Pastor John is How can we be sure that Christ is The Savior and can save me? Well, according to scripture and many witnesses, He died and rose from the dead. He took the wrath of God on Himself willingly – God was satisfied – and He raised Jesus from the dead.

Now – How can WE be certain that WE have received salvation? Many people lack the assurance of their salvation! What are some of the reasons we lack this assurance?

  1. We see paltry or no result to our efforts as Christians! We believe that we are making no impact.
  2. We see inconsistency in our life and our desires.
  3. We struggle with indwelling sin.
  4. We neglect worship, fellowship and prayer on occasion.

So, if we are saved, how can we be sure? Eph 1:13 (KJV) says: “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”. He gives us His Holy Spirit upon salvation! The evidence of salvation of course is the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, meekness and self-control.

God has predestined us and chosen us into His family from satan’s family and we are protected there by His Holy Spirit. This only happens because of Christ. The Holy Spirit shows us the blessings God has given us, He leads us, He instructs us, and He convicts and comforts us.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. But how can I be certain I am really adopted and in Christ?  Gal 4:6 says that we are adopted and we cry Abba father!

In your darkest hour, do you cry out to your daddy in heaven to save you? By His spirit we cry Abba (daddy) Father.

So, in sum, when we are saved, we receive the Holy Spirit and He protects us and leads us. He also causes us to cry out to our father in heaven when we are in distress.

The Holy Spirit Is your inner guarantee that you are a child of God. Be assured that you have been chosen and predestined if you see the Holy Spirit in your life.