Assurance in Christ: The Guilty Heart Has Found Relief

The present and eternal security of humans is Jesus Christ the righteous.

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. Hebrews 7:22.

He says to His followers:

I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28.

We are filled with a sense of security when keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, trusting in His power.

Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 

by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1, 2.

The cities of refuge appointed for God's ancient people were a symbol of the Refuge provided and revealed in Jesus.

The offering made by our Savior is sufficient to make a full expiation for the sins of the whole world.

Thus all who by repentance and faith flee to this Refuge will find security.

Furthermore, amid all the changes and agitations of the world, the Rock of our salvation stands firm.

Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11.

That great Corner-stone, the Rock of Ages, stands unshaken today. He still offers rest to the weary and the water of life to the thirsting soul.

I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6.

Fallen humans could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8.

Therefore, all who wish for security on earth and in Heaven must look to the Lamb of God. 

Well established Assurance

The Infinite wisdom chose the foundation stone and laid it Himself. He called it a sure foundation.

The entire world may lay upon Him their burdens and griefs. Moreover, with perfect safety we may build upon Him.

Christ is a tried stone. He never disappoints those who trust in Him.

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: 

he that believeth shall not make haste. Isaiah 28:16.

He has borne the guilt of humanity and come off more than conqueror of the powers of evil.

In Christ the guilty heart has found relief. He is the sure foundation. All who make Him their dependence rest in perfect security.

Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; 

and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24, 25.

God's way is always the right and the prudent way. Therefore, let us trust Him wholly and be led by His wisdom.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James 1:5, 6.

In the time of trial

Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:21.

God's pledge of security will be placed upon those who have kept the word of His patience.

I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10.

Furthermore, Christ will say to His faithful ones:

Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: 

hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Isaiah 26:20.

Every faithful one will surely be gathered.

He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31.

There always have been and always will be two classes on the earth to the end of time - those who believe in Jesus and those who reject Him.

The Lion of Judah - terrible to the rejectors of His grace, will be the Lamb of God to the obedient and faithful.

Those who receive Christ as personal Savior behold Him as their substitute and surety, pledging Himself to accomplish their salvation.

Surety of our deliverance

God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

The Son of God - the Creator of our world, became the Redeemer of fallen humanity.

Christ was the:

• Father's appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds. Hebrews 1:2

• Brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:3.

Furthermore, He:

• Possessed divine excellence and greatness. Psalms 150:2. It pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell. Colossians 1:19

• Exchanged the throne of light and glory which He had with the Father, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Philippians 2:6

• Took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…

• He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7, 8.

It was Christ who from the bush on Mount Horeb spoke to Moses.

I AM THAT I AM. Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 

This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations. Exodus 3:14.

This was the pledge of Israel's deliverance.

Thus when He came in the likeness of men, He declared Himself the I AM. 

The Child of Bethlehem - the meek and lowly Savior, is God manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16.

All power is given unto Me in Heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18.

I AM the assurance of every promise.

I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.

God with us is the assurance of our deliverance from sin and of the power to obey the Law of Heaven.

A safe abiding-place

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God…

And your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1, 3.

This is an amazing representation of the security, peace, rest, and confidence we may have in the love of God.

No human, nor earthly power can force us from our refuge.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38, 39.

Therefore, Abide in Me, and I in you…I am the vine, and ye are the branches. 

He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; For without me you can do nothing. John 15:4, 5.

Thus when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4.

His victory - in human nature and through Divine power elevates the human race in moral value.

It is not because of anything humans have done.

The sins of the world were laid upon Christ and He was numbered with transgressors.

The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5, 6.

He bore the curse and was treated as a transgressor, in order that the repentant sinner might be clothed with His righteousness.

Christ was condemned for sin in which He had no share, in order that we might be justified by righteousness in which we had no part.

Thus when we take Him as our personal Savior, we place ourselves under His blood-stained banner.

No one can take us from under His standard, as long as we desire to prove loyal to Him who has died for us.

All you are brethren

We are all exposed to the same temptations and danger of making mistakes.

There is no security nor support in the midst of trial but the conviction that God is present, watching over His people, and ready to answer their cries.

Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am…

And the Lord shall guide thee continually…Then shall thy light break forth as the morning…

and the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord. Isaiah 58:8, 9-11, 14.

God reads every heart. He is the heart-searching God, and He alone, with absolute certainty, knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19.

As the graft receives life when united to the vine, so the sinner partakes of the Divine nature when in connection with Christ.

Thus a finite human unites with the infinite God and the branch becomes part of the living Vine.

Moreover, there is a certainty in His words: Because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:19.

Christ reveals His grace to all true believers. He imparts to them His own merits in grace and goodness, that they may bear fruit unto holiness.

This connection with Christ results in the purification of the heart, a circumspect life and faultless character.

The fruit borne upon the Christian tree is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

A future life security

God grants humans a probation in this world, that their principles may become firmly established in the right.

Thus He precludes the possibility of sin in the future life and assures the happiness and security of all.

Through the atonement of the Son of God alone power is given to humans to establish them in righteousness and make them fit subjects for heaven.

The blood of Christ is the eternal antidote for sin. 

The offensive character of sin is seen in the Son of God's unparalleled humiliation, suffering and death.

All the worlds behold in Him a living testimony to the malignity of sin, for in His Divine form He bears the marks of the curse.

He is in the midst of the throne as a Lamb that hath been slain. 

The redeemed will ever be vividly impressed with the hateful character of sin, as they behold Him who died for their transgressions.

The preciousness of the Offering will be more fully realized as the blood-washed multitude more fully comprehend how God has made a new and living way for the salvation of humanity.

It is through the union of the human and the Divine in Christ.

Furthermore, the death of Christ upon the cross made sure the destruction of him who has the power of death - the originator of sin.

When Satan is destroyed, there will be none to tempt evil. 

The atonement will never need to be repeated and there will be no danger of another rebellion in the universe of God.

That which alone can effectively restrain from sin in this world of darkness, will prevent sin in Heaven. 

The significance of the death of Christ will be seen by saints and angels.

Fallen humans could not have a home in the paradise of God without the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Moreover, the angels ascribe honor and glory to Christ, for even they are not secure except by looking to the sufferings of the Son of God.

It is through the effectiveness of the cross that the angels of heaven are guarded from apostasy.

Without the cross there would be no security against evil as it was before the fall of Satan.

Certainty of the Christian's hope

Believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him…

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:

and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14, 18.

Our only hope is perfect trust in the blood of Him who can save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. Hebrews 7:25.

The death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will be our theme in the world to come.

The gift of God in His beloved Son was the expression of an incomprehensible love.

Moreover, it was the utmost that God could do to preserve the honor of His holy Law and still save the transgressor.

Christ's suffering and death have placed life upon an eternal basis of security.

Christ lived a life of complete humankind in order that he might stand as a representative of humanity.

He was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin…that He might be able to succor them that are tempted. Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 2:18.

The Prince of Life in human flesh endured and overcame every temptation that could be brought against fallen humanity.

Humans cannot be saved by their own works. It is impossible for them to render perfect obedience to the Law of God without Chris.

Heaven can never be gained by an imperfect obedience. For this would place all Heaven in jeopardy, and make possible a second rebellion.

A carnal state

People are putting far off the second coming of Christ. They laugh at warnings and boast:

All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 2 Peter 3:4.

Tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. Isaiah 56:12.

Nevertheless Christ says: Behold, I come as a thief. Revelation 16:15.

The signs are fulfilling at the very time when the world is asking:

Where is the promise of his coming?

Furthermore, while they cry Peace and safety, sudden destruction is coming.

Thus the world is taken in the snare and lulled into a feeling of security, not to find out their awful deception until the seven last plagues are poured out.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6.

Nonetheless, it is not enough that sinners believe in Christ for the pardon of sin. They must, by faith and obedience, abide in Him.

For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins;

but a certain fearful looking for judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26, 27.

Conclusion

All who wish for security in Heaven or earth must look to the Lamb of God.

Here they will find peace from the heaviest pressure of guilt, and relief from the deepest condemnation.

We are reconciled to God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ and His work of mediation on our behalf.

The blood of Christ will prove efficient to wash away the stain of sin.

Angelic perfection failed in Haven. Human perfection failed in Eden.

The plan of salvation manifests the justice and love of God.

Furthermore, it provides an eternal safeguard against conscious abandonment of allegiance in unfallen worlds, as well as among those who will be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

In Christ alone is peace, strength and security.

References

1. ST Jul 1883; RH Oct 1908; ST Jan 1882; YI May 1902; RH Dec 1893; DA 24, 598, 635; RH Nov 1897; 3SP 38; RH Feb 1899; 6T 404; ST Jun 1897;  RH Jul 1894; ST Dec 1889; EW 91 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Version (KJV