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You Can Rest Assured

“Theres no sight like seeing the light from Calvary kiss a human face as it fills the heart with the assurance of Divine forgiveness.” Gipsy Smith 

 

Recall the old schoolyard method of picking teams? All the kids who wanted to play lined up, waiting, hoping to be selected. The captains of each team took turns—first this kid was selected, then that one, then another, and another.  

Each turn your name wasn’t called, you feared you might be standing there forever, wondering, “What’s wrong with me?” 

If someone doesn’t choose you, it’s a painful experience. Your self-esteem and self-confidence can take a tremendous blow.  

How about a little boost? Your God wants you! He selected you out of the crowd! He loves you and chose you to be His child! Let the apostle Paul tell you: 

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 1:4-6). 

We didn’t have to do anything to merit His choosing. In fact, there is nothing we could have done!  

The gospels include the story of a young man who approached Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16). The question: What must I do? 

Consider what Jesus didn’t say in answering him. He didn’t say, “Bow your head and say the sinner’s prayer.” He didn’t say, “Read your Bible, and go to church every Sunday.” He didn’t say, “Don’t drink, smoke, or chew—or go out with girls who do!”  

No, Jesus answers: “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). The young man was confused. He believed he’d done this to the best of his ability. Yet, he had no assurance he’d done enough.   

Doing—even when it’s done to the best of our ability—will always leave us insecure. Have I done enough? Have I done it long enough? Have I done it well enough? How can I be assured?  

You can’t. As long as it’s about what you do, you’ll always be lacking assurance.  

Here’s the good news: It’s not about what we do. It’s about what God has done! 

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-6).  

God’s love! God’s mercy! God’s grace! When we understand it’s about what He has donethen we can truly rest assured.  

 

My prayer this weekGracious Heavenly Father, thank you for this blessed assurance: By your grace alone I am saved. May my acts of devotion not be attempts to impress you or earn your favor, but rather to reflect my love and thankfulness for what you’ve done!