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