Topical Bible: Faith: Saints should Have Full Assurance of

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Faith, a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is the confident belief in the truths of God's Word and His promises. It is through faith that believers are justified, sanctified, and ultimately glorified. The assurance of faith is a profound certainty that God will fulfill His promises, and it is a hallmark of the Christian life.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous exhortations for believers to have full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22 encourages believers to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." This passage underscores the importance of approaching God with confidence, rooted in the cleansing work of Christ.

Faith and Assurance

The assurance of faith is not a mere feeling but a deep-seated conviction based on the character and promises of God. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance is grounded in the reality of God's faithfulness and the evidence of His work throughout history.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in providing believers with assurance. Romans 8:16 states, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." This internal witness of the Holy Spirit affirms the believer's status as a child of God, providing a profound sense of security and assurance.

Examples of Assurance in Scripture

The Bible is replete with examples of individuals who demonstrated full assurance of faith. Abraham, often called the father of faith, is a prime example. Romans 4:20-21 describes how "he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised."

Similarly, the Apostle Paul exhibited unwavering assurance in his faith. In 2 Timothy 1:12 , he declares, "I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day." Paul's confidence in God's ability to fulfill His promises serves as a model for all believers.

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to cultivate and maintain full assurance of faith. Colossians 2:2 expresses the desire that "their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth of full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself." This passage highlights the connection between assurance, understanding, and the knowledge of Christ.

Challenges to Assurance

While full assurance of faith is the ideal, believers may face challenges that can shake their confidence. Doubts, trials, and spiritual warfare can all threaten the assurance of faith. However, Scripture provides encouragement and resources to overcome these challenges. James 1:6 advises, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." This call to steadfast faith is a reminder of the stability that comes from trusting in God's unchanging nature.

Conclusion

The assurance of faith is a vital aspect of the Christian life, providing believers with confidence in God's promises and a secure foundation for their spiritual journey. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit, the examples of faithful individuals in Scripture, and the encouragement of the Word, believers are equipped to maintain full assurance of faith, even amidst life's challenges.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blessing of Full Assurance
... of this blessed doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. ... will keep you from denying
the faith; but those ... How sad that our brother should have passed away in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/the blessing of full assurance.htm

The Impossibility of Failure.
... the words to express the Apostle's wish that his readers should continue to minister
to the saints. ... An incentive to faith and endurance will be found in the ...
/.../chapter vi the impossibility of.htm

The Perseverance of the Saints
... not always feel this full assurance of faith and certainty ... that the consideration
of this benefit should serve as ... of Scripture and the examples of the saints. ...
/.../anonymous/synod of dort/the perseverance of the saints.htm

Faith in Perfection
... us a blessing, but we doubted whether we should have it before we ... The faith of our
text is a personal faith. ... that God will perfect all his saints; tis sweeter ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/faith in perfection.htm

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... that law while you tabernacle in faith; you never ... foundation of the glory of the
saints; Calvary is ... sufferings and agonies of Golgotha we should have had no ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... when it tells us so frequently that the saints before us ... As prayer must have faith
and fervency to procure it success ... so well of you, that you should assist him ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

On the Discoveries of Faith
... is the beginning of wisdom." Nevertheless he should be exhorted ... to fight the good
fight of faith; and against ... are able to "comprehend, with all saints, what is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 110 on the discoveries.htm

"That which we have Seen and Heard, Declare we unto You, that Ye ...
... offer, to be fellow citizens with the saints, with the ... mother and kinsmen in the
flesh, should have had prerogatives ... ver 3,) as well as "common faith," Titus 1 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon v that which we.htm

The Hope of the Redeemer's Return
... of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism ... To the Thessalonian saints the
apostle Paul wrote ... denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/chapter two the hope of.htm

Assurance
... so many, the golden beams of thy love should shine upon ... am less than the least of
all saints.' Ephesians 3 ... If faith resists the devil, assurance will put him to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 assurance.htm