INTRODUCTION: Into July I will again follow the devotionals of John MacArthur in his book Strength for Today; and his topic for the month of June is THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. ... I hope you can say, with assurance, that you know you are saved and living "in Christ." If not, this will be a very important topic for you. If you do know you are savied, this study should allow you to help others be assured in their salvation.
After my post for July 1st, each of my successive entries for this month will be added as comments to this blog. But if you're following along, feel free to add your own comments as well to this journey toward Christlike integrity. ... <'BB><
==================
A Year of Daily Devotionals: A Journal by Bill Berry … July, 2008
July 1, 2008 …
Passage of the Day: 2nd Peter 1: 10a … 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.
My Journal for Today: New month … new topic! And the topic is one which is always pertinent for God’s people … those who call themselves, “Christian.” This month I will be delving into the assurance of our salvation as Christians, again with the help of John MacArthur’s powerful devotional text, Strength for Today [if you have it, it will be covered during the month of July, as you might expect].
Above, in our text for today, we read the Apostle Peter’s strong exhortation [really, a Spirit-led command]; and he’s saying that we, as Christians, should not only have confidence in our salvation as believers in Christ, but we should also develop that assurance in the maturing of our faith over time. In other words, if you’re truly a Christian, you should find your assurance of your salvation growing as your relationship with Christ grows.
Actually, Peter’s friend and fellow Apostle, John, wrote an entire book in the canonized Bible, the Book of 1st John, to help Christians have assurance in their faith (see the theme verse for that book in 1st John 5: 13).
------------------------
1st John 5: 13: I [John] write these things to you who believe [i.e., Christians] in the Name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
--------------------------
It is true that there are people claiming to be “Christian;” and sadly they have false assurance, primarily wrapped in their works or in legalism; … and this works-driven “fire insurance” mentality is sorely misplaced. Jesus spoke to this with one of His most gruesome prophesies (found in Matt. 7: 21 – 23) when he said that many who call Him, “lord, lord,” would never be allowed into His heaven.
That, to me, is one of the saddest sayings from the heart, mind, and mouth of Jesus. And this month my study will focus on how real Christians can have a rock-solid assurance for their salvation and can, as Peter exhorted in today’s verse, exercise that faith to give them hope and strength in any or all situations. This is certainly a worthy study for my mind and heart; and I would also want to be able to help other believers to have that rock-solid faith as well.
So, if you’re reading this, come with me, and with the help of John MacArthur, and more importantly the direction of God’s word and His Spirit, we will find true assurance of our salvation in Christ. And after this month of devotionals I would hope that we all, in the strong assurance of our own salvation, can help other Christians find that ROCK solid knowledge that they will spend eternity with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My Prayer Today: I know You, Lord; but I want to know You even more. Amen
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
