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Peace & Assurance
The infusion of righteousness produces peace
Date: 9/28/2006 4:46:25 PM ( 18 y ) ... viewed 1644 times Peace & Assurance
Isaiah 32:17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (NKJV)
Being assured of your salvation has many facets. There is no simple checklist or magic formula. The Bible does however say that we can KNOW we are saved:
1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. (NKJV)
The book of 1John discusses many aspects of the assurance of salvation. Obedience is a common thread in showing our love for God and demonstrating our truly reborn spirit.
The "work of righteousness" could be summed up by obedience in all things Godly. Righteousness produces peace. How? By revealing sin and replacing it with holiness. Righteous is Godly light that always exposes the darkness of sin. The pursuit of righteousness is the life of a Peacemaker that Jesus speaks about in the Beatitudes (Matt 5). This peace does not always come "peacefully" because sin must be slain first; and it does not depart with ease or cooperation.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. (NKJV)
The infusion of righteousness produces peace. The effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance. The "quietness" is akin to the meekness Jesus also spoke of in the Beatitudes. Meekness is calm, supreme confidence and control produced by the Holy Spirit. It is the gentle, supernaturally confident attitude that comes from trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us; allowing us to be unmoved by our external circumstances.
Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. (NKJV)
Righteousness, peace and meekness all combine to testify in our spirit of the new birth, the regeneration of our eternal spirit (Tit 3.5); a new nature that is both responsive and sensitive to God (John 10.27); preserved by Him until the day of our glorification in His Presence (Rom 8.30).
Assurance comes in two forms: an objective examination of our behavior and attitudes compared against Godly standards (the fruit of the Spirit, Gal 5.22); and a "feeling" of assurance that is directly parallel to our level of intimacy and fellowship with God.
Righteousness brings peace because it displaces sin. With that peace comes a quietness of spirit because our eternal issues are settled and we do not have to live in guilt towards God. The result is a great assurance of our salvation. If there is a lack of peace, calmness and assurance in your life today, your righteousness might be the first culprit.
Righteous and Holy God, help us to understand that You offer peace and assurance, but only on Your terms. We are grateful that you offer peace and assurance; and You graciously grant us the guidance and power we need to live righteously in order to gain assurance. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Contemplation: If you lack the assurance of salvation, have you considered that a lack of righteousness and holiness could be the reason?
Application: Examine your life in light of God's word. Assurance is possible (1John).
James 1:22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)
What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?
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