The Problem With The Lack Of Assurance

The Problem with the Lack of Assurance

1 John 5

Some Americans today don’t trust their immigration dept. people anymore. It seems many terrorists have slipped through their fingers. There is a fear that more terrorist attacks may come because they cannot keep track of all the illegal immigrants who overstayed their visas and hiding somewhere in the US, planning their next target. It was said that the US govt should put Blockbuster Video people to be in charge of Immigration because if u are two days late they are all over u. They will hunt u down! Hence life in US is on the edge for some, people don’t feel secure.

People traveling by air today go through security checks. Told to come early to the airport to go through a vigorous security check. Post 9/11 we rely on these checks to ensure safety of air travel. Since April, the federal government has been charging travellers a $24 fee for security upgrades at all Canadian airports. Don’t wanna be blown up, do we? So we subject ourselves to these security checks and pay the extra $24. We want to be safe.

Now what about people traveling to heaven? How safe are u? Are there security checks we could use so that we know for sure we’re on the way to heaven and not the other direction? How will u know the minute u die u gonna be in paradise? How do u know u are really a born again Christian believer? Perhaps u doubt whether u are. You seem to see all the flaws of your own character. Every day u live on the earth u see Christians making big mistakes, blowing it. The bible does state that not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” is a Christian.

Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV) Jesus says:

Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ’Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ’I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

How can I be a Christian when it is obvious I am not at all perfect. Could I be the one who calls Him “Lord” and find out later I am destined for hell and not heaven? I think John wrote his letter to remind us of something…

13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

True Christians are …

1. FAITHFUL: BELIEVERS in Jesus as the Son of God who are LOVERS of the church

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Thought here: your assurance/security for eternal life is worked out in the here and now. In your clear confession that you trust Jesus right now as your God, the promised Messiah who can deliver this messed up world out of darkness, oppression. You cannot see Jesus but you know He loves you here right now this minute. Right now, you have no doubt that Jesus came to seek and save you. Received this message gladly into your heart. You are open to God’s spiritual light entering your darkness.

Also here right now this minute, in the faces of people you can see in the church, you have a heart change. Perhaps you were cynical about church before, but now see the same possibilities the same potential that God sees in his children. And u love that vision, and u love them as they are believing with hope and patience that they will be transformed, and be perfect one day.

Faith itself is the victory and is you’re your assurance clearly in a changed life transformed by love. The LOVE of Christ becomes the controlling motive. And it is seen clearly in personal relationships forged in love and transferred to another person, namely the church that Jesus died for. You claim to love Jesus, well, the auto response for those who love Jesus is the love for His church, His bride. You will choose to love the church as much as Jesus did. This is the faith that will overcome and is not at burdensome. It becomes a joy! Commandment is simple LOVE! Remember the joy, satisfaction u have when u serve someone in church? Give something of yourself away?