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Topic:
Thoughts And Things Of The Bible -- Assurance
The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance"
(Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has
given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The
"full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, 'full bearing'] of faith"
(Heb. 10:22) is a fullness of faith in God which leaves no room for
doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an
entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of
Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction
that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance of
hope" (Heb. 6:11) is a sure and well-grounded expectation of
eternal glory (2 Tim. 4:7, 8). This assurance of hope is the assurance
of a man's own particular salvation. This infallible assurance, which
believers may attain unto as to their own personal salvation, is founded
on the truth of the promises (Heb. 6:18), on the inward evidence of
Christian graces, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption (Rom.
8:16). That such a certainty may be attained appears from the testimony
of Scripture (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14), from the command to seek
after it (Heb. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:10), and from the fact that it has been
attained (2 Tim. 1:12; 4:7, 8; 1 John 2:3; 4:16). This full assurance is
not of the essence of saving faith. It is the result of faith, and
posterior to it in the order of nature, and so frequently also in the
order of time. True believers may be destitute of it. Trust itself is
something different from the evidence that we do trust. Believers,
moreover, are exhorted to go on to something beyond what they at present
have when they are exhorted to seek the grace of full assurance (Heb.
10:22; 2 Pet. 1:5-10). The attainment of this grace is a duty, and is to
be diligently sought. "Genuine assurance naturally leads to a
legitimate and abiding peace and joy, and to love and thankfulness to
God; and these from the very laws of our being to greater buoyancy,
strength, and cheerfulness in the practice of obedience in every
department of duty." This assurance may in various ways be shaken,
diminished, and intermitted, but the principle out of which it springs
can never be lost.
Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries
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These words were posted at one of Shepherd's Care Ministries Sites
called Wisdom Minute. This site is located at:
http://www.findthepower.com/wisdomminute
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