IV. ASSURANCE.

One great cause of failure in many Christians as to their walk and conduct, is the lack of assurance, or confidence as to their eternal salvation. Some seem to be carrying a mirror constantly before them, in which they vainly seek for the reflection of themselves as an evidence of their acceptance with God. Others are searching their hearts, in the endeavor to discover some inward change or emotion to rest upon for their acceptance before God, and as all views of self, whether the sinner's self, or the believer's self, are discouraging, Satan takes advantage of such, and strives to draw them away into deep sin, or failing in this, causes great disquietude and unrest of soul.

Now the word of God gives no "uncertain sound" upon this subject.

In Rom. 1:16 it says, "The gospel of Christ "is "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth," and i Cor. 1:18 speaks of the great division which "the preaching of the cross" makes between "them that perish" and "us who are saved;" and in ver. 21 it may be clearly seen that, by preaching the gospel, God declares His purpose "to save them that believe." Heb. 5:9 shows that Christ "became the Author of eternal salvation," so that any one believing the gospel in accordance with Rom. 10:9, 10, must be eternally saved. See also I Cor. 15:2; Tit. 3:5; 2 Cor. 6:2.

This salvation includes complete Redemption,(Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Tit. 2:14; i Pet. 1:18, etc.);

Forgiveness, (Col. 2:13; Acts 13:38; i Jno.11, 12);

Justification, (pronounced clear of any charge) (Rom. 4:25 ; 5:9 ; Eph. 5:27; Acts 13:39);

Acceptance, (Eph. 1:6).

Here is where the trouble lies, souls do not see that one's acceptance with God is "in the Beloved," not in one's self or changed manner of life, or self-denial, or emotions of sense, whether good or otherwise, but in Christ, in the value of all that He is to God. It is an act of God Himself, not through any evidence in our senses, but the plain, clear proclamation of God based upon His value of Christ's atonement, and this declared to us through the Word. "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Ps. 119:89), "whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever" (Eccl. 3:14), so that the believer is proclaimed forever accepted with God in the full value of Christ, by the word of God. Thus the same basis of knowledge of one's sinnership is also the foundation of the knowledge of the believer's acceptance. It is this which gives settled peace and rest of soul (Col. 1:20; Rom. 5:i).

Should this meet the eye of any believer who has a doubt in his soul as to full acceptance with God, look away from self, no matter how marvelous a change may have taken place in your life; look away from your ever changing emotions, your resolutions, self-denials, and see Christ, in His unfailing preciousness to the Father as the One in whom your acceptance lies, and rejoice in Him and be at peace.

Eternal life, (Jno. 3:16; 5:24; Rom. 6:23; i Jno. 5:13, etc.).
The Holy Spirit, (Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:12, 13; 4:30; Jno. 14:16).

Access to God, (Eph. 2:13, 18; Heb. 10:19).

Fitness for Heaven, (Col. 1:12; Rev. 1:5, 6; 5:9).

Such are some of the blessings obtained for us by the Lord Jesus Christ; for God "hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessing sin heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3), and assured to us by His Word.
Thus let every doubting, trembling believer be encouraged to believe the record that God gives us of His Son, and looking away from self, know " that ye have eternal life." B. W. J.