How to be sure

One of the biggest struggles Christians face is that of assurance.  Confidence that we are "in".  It seems to be particularly acute for those who have been raised in the church.  Verses like Matthew 7:21-23 ("Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.") can be really frightening.  We wonder, how much of His will do we need to do to be sure?

I have talked with many dear sisters who worry that they will find themselves in this rejected group come Judgment Day.  In fact, I personally have "accepted Jesus" hundreds of times...just to be sure...just in case I hadn't "meant it" enough the other times.  (BTW, I was raised in the church and I promise you that it really rattles some folks that I cannot confidently "pin down" the date of my conversion!!!)  

I have counseled lots of folks who, like my own self, have spent hours wondering if they have done "enough", believed "enough", or really understand "enough" for their salvation to be for sure.  This problem has been around for a long time...longer than you and me...the Apostle John addressed this same issue in his letter (1 John ).  Throughout that epistle, he seeks to reassure the Church that their salvation is secure, to give them confidence that they are indeed "in Christ".  Apparently, John is aware that many of his readers were experiencing the same worries that are around today.

So, what are we to do?  How can we know?  Does God want us to know?

Let me strongly assert that the last thing I want to do is to give anyone false security.  I don't want any reader to think that "praying a prayer" one day when they were 5 is their ticket to Heaven.  I believe that there are lots of folks that count on this as some sort of fire insurance don't really trust in Christ at all.  And that is cause for concern.

But I also believe that lots and lots and lots of precious brothers and sisters are tossed about by doubt that prevents them from approaching God with confidence, from living in the joy of being loved, and from victory over sin.  To those dear ones I suggest the book of 1 John, especially chapter 3, verses 19-24:

 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; ²⁰ for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²² and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³ And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴ Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

I believe with all my heart that God wants those who belong to Him to know it for sure.  As in, don't I want my children to know they are mine??  Of course I do!  I am proud that they are mine and I want them to know it!! So, can we know?


Instead of looking back at some past event of our own (which can make us wonder if it was "for real"), instead, look at what we are currently trusting in.  Our own behavior....or what Jesus did FOR us with His death and resurrection.  That's what Scripture means in 2 Corinthians 13:5 -

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Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

As I close today, I close with the prayer that you will have knowledge of the Truth -- if you are falsely assured, that He will convict you and that your eyes will be opened, turning you from darkness to light.....and if you are wrongly accused, that He will comfort you, and you will become confident of your place in Him.

Psalm 23:2b

He leades me beside quiet waters.

A sheep will not drink from rushing waters or from a swirling stream.  Other animals will, but not sheep.  Sheep need calm, quiet sources of fresh water. Turbulent waters or even murmuring springs are frightening to sheep.  They have to have quiet and fresh water sources. A shepherd takes great care to locate proper sources for drinking.  Some streams are too agitating.  Some still water is stagnant.  Sheep need a quiet but fresh supply of water.   Oftentimes, there are no such bodies of water in the area of their grazing.  In those times, the early morning dew soaking the pasture grasses are their best source of hydration.

Thoughts that result from this knowledge of sheep and meditation on verse 2b -

1.  We need spiritual water. We are on a constant quest in hopes of getting that thirst satisfied.
2.  Our thirst is not quenched from frenetically paced lives. Trying to drink from a chaotic lifestyle puts us in turmoil. Nor is it quenched from temporary things like riches, fame, popularity, success.  These things are stagnant waters which give an initial sense of refreshment but soon leave a sickening taste in our mouths and stomachs.
3.  Early morning is a good time to get the spiritual hydration that we need.
4.  Divine water is found in a quiet, still state. Time in His presence, in His Word.
5.  Jesus tells us that He is the source of living water and that if we drink from Him, we won't be thirsty for lesser sources, things that don't satisfy.
6.  This living water that Jesus offers His sheep comes from the Throne of God and of the Lamb (Christ).  It is His love and His joy, available to us all if we come to His Throne to drink.  Here we are free from fear and worry, full of joy and  contentment.

Isaiah 40:11 promises us that Jesus is taking care of us, leading us to the living waters that we need.  Check it out.  It's even got a precious extra promise for Mommies.
"Like a shepherd, He will tend His flock, in His arm, He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes."

do all things...

. Philippians 2:14 says Do all things without grumbling or complaining.  Whoa.  ALL things?   Really?

Seems pretty impossible.  I mean, really, everybody complains.  At least a little!  Even if it's just about the weather!  It would be odd not to, wouldn't it?

That seems to be precisely the point. Check out the next verse

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Oh.  Oh. 

So maybe, just maybe, if we Christ-followers don't grumble and complain like everybody else does, we might stick out like lights in the darkness.  And the world might take notice that we are different and wonder why.

And maybe, just maybe, we could then give an account for the hope that is within us.  And gladly explain that we can do all the things we do cheerfully without complaint because we trust our loving and sovereign Heavenly Father who directs our lives and is always at work for our good. 

ALL things.  Oh.

who cares

You know that feeling when you just need to talk to somebody, to unburden yourself, to share your heart?  Intuitively you know that it would help for someone to listen, to empathize, and perhaps provide some insight, some counsel, some help.

So you do. You "cowgirl up" and summon the courage to talk about what's bothering you, your hurts, and your confusion.  You work up the nerve to "do this community thing" and you lay your cards on the table. For somebody to listen, somebody to care.

It really does take courage to do that.  At least it does for me.  I figure everybody has their own troubles and I am hesitant to add mine to theirs.

So sometimes I do.  And sometimes you do.

And sometimes what happens is worse than the burden we are hoping to ease.

The "listener" checks her phone while we are talking.

Or worse, she responds to a text. Or she somehow gets distracted in the midst of our tale and consequently asks questions that reveal her lack of attentiveness.

Maybe she listens to us but fails to hear with empathy and launches right in to preaching at us.

Ouch. Those "Bible bullets" are painful when they implode on an already bleeding target.

It feels like she just doesn't care, like you don't matter.  Perhaps that's not actually the case, but it sure feels like it.

I think there are some people who will listen.  With the ears of their hearts.  And I think God will lead us to them.

But first I think He wants us to know that it is good to be

Casting all your care on Him,

Confident that He will always listen, always empathize, always give the best response....

 because He cares about you  (I Peter 5:7)

He really cares.  He loves you and me with an Everlasting Love.  An unconditional Love.  A personal, individual, deepest of all Loves.

Tell Him about your troubles.  He cares...........and He can do something about your hurt.