How can we all know our standing earlier than God? In accordance with the Confession, those that are Christians “really consider within the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, [and are those] endeavoring to stroll in all good conscience earlier than him.” (WCF 18.1) The threefold dynamic to assist Christians know they belong to Christ is present in three H’s: our Head, our Coronary heart, and our Palms. We may be positive we belong to Christ by what we all know, by what we love, and by what we do. That is the sum of the Confession’s instructing. The place did the authors to this Confession get these concepts although? They discovered them from the pen of the Apostle John.

Take into account the next statements by the Apostle John: “And by this we KNOW that we’ve got come to know him, if we maintain his commandments.” (1 John 2:3 ESV); “We KNOW that we’ve got handed out of loss of life into life, as a result of we love the brothers. Whoever doesn’t love abides in loss of life.” (1 John 3:14 ESV); “Little kids, allow us to not love in phrase or speak however in deed and reality. By this we will KNOW that we’re of the reality and reassure our coronary heart earlier than him;” (1 John 3:18-19 ESV); “I write this stuff to you who consider within the title of the Son of God, that you could be KNOW that you’ve everlasting life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)

A cautious examination of those texts reveals that the data of our salvation is the intention of Scripture. Additionally, we be taught that the data of our salvation is just not a mere inner actuality, however is seen to others. There’s certainly an invisible part to our certainty, specifically in perception and love. Nevertheless, what’s most seen, is how we select to reside our lives.

However a Christian’s assurance of their salvation doesn’t merely come from themselves. First, we should take into account the promise of God which comes out sincerely and objectively. God’s guarantees and oath are unchangeable and meant to empower believers to be assured in hope (Hebrews 6:17-18). Second, there may be additionally the inside testimony of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul make clear this latter dynamic when he spoke of the distinctive ministry of God the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we’re the kids of God,” (Romans 8:16 ESV).

Van Dixhoorn once more highlights the uniquely trinitarian part in assurance. He writes, “The triune God assures us that we’re his kids, purchased with the blood of his Son, and sealed by his Spirit.” (p. 229) In salvation, God the Father perpetually welcomes us as His personal kids. His want is just not for us to wander in uncertainty and ambiguity. As an alternative, simply as any loving father needs to convey to his kids, God wishes for us to know that we’ll be liked perpetually.

What occurs to us after we start to know this for ourselves? The Westminster Confession factors to 6 results. When a Christian grows of their assurance of their salvation they’ve peace as an alternative of panic, pleasure as an alternative of dread, love as an alternative of loneliness, thankfulness as an alternative of satisfaction, energy as an alternative of shortcoming, and cheerfulness as an alternative of distress. How can we not be moved by such data?

God’s want on your life is to know your self as a sinner saved by a Savior, so that you simply could be made a saint adorned in salvation. Might the Lord grant you such data that you simply would possibly relaxation within the joyful expectation of an unshakable salvation bought for you in Christ.