Where Do We Place Our Trust?

Like many others I have “doubted” my salvation.  As a younger person when I would fall short or sin as God refers to it, I would have this overwhelming guilt and shame which would ultimately lead me to doubt that I was ever saved.  So, through the years I just dealt with this scenario (daily) as best I could until I decided one day that I wouldn’t simply be a sideline Christian, but rather an active believer.  The after shocks of that decision were life changing.

I discovered that just like a new born baby who desires to be feed (1 Peter 2:2) I too had a strong urge to feast on God’s word.  It took  several years for me to come to this knowledge, but I am thankful it came.  I recalled back to the day I accepted Jesus as my Savior that there was a very strong desire for me to know more about God.  I sadly was never discipled and therefore didn’t learn to feed the Holy Spirit which now dwelt within me.

I was asked a few years ago whether or not I ever doubted my salvation.  I came to the conclusion that my salvation is not what I was doubting, it was God’s faithful to keep his word that I doubted.  I discovered that the more I read and meditate on His word, the more I trust His Word. (John 1)

Assurance of Salvation

I have noticed that there are many people who seek approval.  They will seek it from literally every person they come into contact with.  Where this comes from is for another time,  however, I’d like to point out that it is convincingly clear that most of these people seek approval to avoid conflict.  Conflict is inevitable in life.  I’ve yet to meet a person who hasn’t at one time or another had to deal with conflict.


I worked for a man whose philosophy was to ignore conflict and it wait for it to go away.  My leadership suffered because I served under his authority.   His philosophy was wrong and has never been true.  Those who avoid conflict are those who are in desperate need of approval.  Ultimately, beliefs and convictions are compromised in effort to avoid conflict.


Sadly, most Christians live their lives trying to avoid conflict.  I’m referring to the conflict that is the result of their miserable relationship with Jesus.  They spend more time dodging darts of doubt than they spend in the Word (Bible).  It’s difficult trying to balance on a fence and dodge darts.


God wants His children (born again believers; John 3) to live lives with confidence and assurance.  1 John 5:11-13 explains that eternal life is provided through Jesus and that assurance accompanies the relationship.  Simply put, if you have Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have life (eternal), if you do not have him as your Lord and Savior, then you do not have eternal life.


The icing on the cake is that He says in verse 13 that we can “know” we have eternal life.  We can live our lives with full assurance and knowledge of our salvation.  We need not battle this conflict as Christ followers.  Never again is there a need to compromise convictions and/or beliefs.  The conflict between our flesh and the spirit can end if only we get serious about our relationship with Jesus.

Feast of Famine

I think often of a friend who passed away a few years ago. We leaned on each other about losing weight and eating better. He told me one day with a serious look that he loved food. I said, “Jim, I do too.” He replied, “No, you don’t understand. I really love food.” My response was, “Yeah, me too. I didn’t get this way by not loving food.” He looked at me and reiterated, “You don’t get it. I love food! I lie in bed at night and think about what I’m going to eat tomorrow.” All I could say was, “Well, I guess you really love food.”

I took notice after that day. Some people eat to live while others live to eat. God gave us food to sustain the body, but I also believe He created it so that it could be enjoyed.
Christians, we are told to digest God’s word and digesting is part of the eating process. We are to feast on God’s word, digest it and allow it to nourish our spirit. If we are to stay healthy and strengthened, we must eat. That is true physically and it’s just as true spiritually. The problem is when things are good we don’t display our need for God. It’s true! Sadly, most Christians only spend time with God when times are bad.

When times are good we don’t want to read God’s word or spend time in prayer with Him. It’s just like the man who just finished a feast and then offered a slice of pecan pie. He replies,”I’m stuffed and couldn’t eat another bite.” On the other hand, the man who hasn’t eaten in days would eat a greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ash tray. (Proverbs 27:7) One of the men has no need for more food, while the other man would be happy to just place something in his stomach. We need to learn to eat to live, not live to eat.

Blinders of The Heart

blind•er \ˈblīn-dər\ noun
(1809)
1 : either of two flaps on a horse’s bridle to keep it from seeing objects at its sides
2 plural : a limitation or obstruction to sight or discernment

Blinders are used when the jockey wants to obstruct the sight of the horse he/she is riding.  The purpose is to prevent objects on the horse’s side from becoming a distraction.  I’m not too sure many Christian shouldn’t wear blinders.  It seems we become easily distracted with the things of this world, thus preventing us from fulfilling our duty as believers.

On the other hand, I’m afraid several Christians are wearing a form of blinders, but not to prevent distraction.  These particular blinders work in the same manner as the previously mentioned blinders, but they blind our discernment.

Blinders are blinders, but their function is dependent upon the one who places them.  If we allow the Master to place them on us, then we have done well.  If we assume the role of the master and place them on ourselves, then we have chosen to squelch the Holy Spirit.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,  Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; Psalm 1:1

Know it All...

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

Each person who has called out to God the Father for eternal salvation, and means it, is saved from eternal damnation by the work of the gospel provided through Jesus Christ.  When a person asks for salvation, they receive the Holy Spirit of God.  The Spirit indwells the believer to teach and guide until we are called home to be with our Heavenly Father.

The thing that sticks out to me in John 14:26 is the phrase “…He will teach you all things…”  I have always had to try harder than most to accomplish anything academically.  After being dismissed from the University twice for scholastic probation as a young man, I returned while in my thirties and earned a place on the Dean’s list three of the four semesters I was enrolled.  I discovered that prior to ANYONE teaching you ANYTHING, there first must be a willingness to LEARN.  When we get to the place  when we feel we know it all, watch out!

Confident Conviction

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness Romans 4:5

Meaning, that we are justified completely by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Our confident conviction that Jesus is the ONLY means of salvation is rewarded with a righteousness provided on our behalf by Jesus Christ, which is required to enter Heaven. 

The opposite is true. Those who work to be justified or saved do not believe God or in His son, Jesus Christ. A definition of works is required here.  Works would be anything one does to gain God's approval and forgiveness other than trusting solely in the gospel.  The gospel being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. 

The argument can be made that one can believe in God, but not have a clear understanding of salvation or justification.  A simple belief that God exist does not qualify one as being justified.  If this were the case, then Satan would be justified, because he believes God exist. 

There is more than just believing God exist.  This is where faith comes in to play.  Faith is the confident conviction in something or someone to the point of putting your life on the line. In this case, we are talking about a faith in Jesus and the gospel. 

According to James 2 we perform works because we are saved which in turn strengthens our faith.  Our faith leads to actions or works, not the other way around!

Due Diligence

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

 

A craving desire to have Jesus rule in order that I might live a virtuous life as well as think and act correctly is what I must do.  Instead of searching for fame and fortune and worrying about my "rights", my focus is to be on that which concerns Heaven. The added benefit is that the amenities of life will be provided.  My due diligence is to aim to obey the Word of God.

The promise is found here, "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."  Matthew 7:7,8

The tense of the word "shall" in the Greek is a future tense.  Which simply means asking, seeking, and knocking is to be a daily task. Need anything?  Ask in accordance to God's will, and it will be yours. Many of us should first ask that God cleanse us from all "unrighteousness" before we begin to think of asking for more.