“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NLT
Some believers today still get frightened by the thought of rapture and so begin to question their salvation. They spend so much time wondering if they are blameless and holy enough to make heaven.
This happens because a wrong doctrine of righteousness has been taught to them. Instead of righteousness to birth peace in them, it births frightfulness and instead of having an assurance of salvation, it is conditional (Isaiah 32:17). They are taught that their works are what qualifies them for heaven, and that is plain wrong.
The Bible sets the record straight by telling us that true righteousness, salvific righteousness births peace. Salvation is neither gotten by good works nor by religious obligations lest any man should boast. Salvation is a gift! (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our anchor scripture makes it clear that God has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and the good news is that he no longer imputes our sins upon us (2 Corinthians 18-19).
We have an assurance of salvation because we confess that Jesus is Lord and we believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9, 1 John 5:13)
God is a master designer, and by His design, He has given us eternal life first before we step into eternity. This means that before we get to heaven, we already have heaven inside of us. And because we have received the gift of salvation, we can rest assured that we are His forever.
There is no salvation without assurance. Jesus unequivocally said that salvation would come with assurance (John 6:38-39). And we have this assurance because Jesus did not only save us but He also gave us His Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Therefore, we can rest assured of our salvation.
Being assured that we are righteous and saved is not all. God also has an assignment for us. We are to take this message to others. We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. (Ephesians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
In summary, salvation is a gift received by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone. This is the priceless gift we preach.
CONFESSION FOR THE WEEK:
The assurance of salvation is mine through Christ Jesus
I walk in the knowledge of it
I boast in the knowledge of it
I rejoice in the knowledge of it
I announce it to the world!
Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 18:9-17, 2 Tim 3:10-17, Proverbs 13:1-12, Nehemiah 10