CAN’T I GET A WITNESS?
2 Peter 1:3-11
I. IS YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE?
We can sum up our text for this morning in just one verse: 2 Peter 1:10. That verse brings up the theme or the doctrine of eternal salvation. When we have the assurance of our salvation, when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are forgiven for all our sin and are indwelt by the Spirit of God and are guaranteed eternity with our Lord in heaven we have the supreme blessing of the Christian life! Sadly, many who claim to be Christians do not have that kind of assurance. There are many churches today that teach you cannot know for sure you have eternal life and where you will spend eternity. Many others who claim to be Christians have no assurance of their salvation because they are living in sin: Isaiah 32:17; 1 John 3:16-24. The Word of God gives us all the proof we need that we have eternal life when we receive Jesus Christ as our Personal Lord and Savior: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 5:9-13. Many will have eternal life who belong to churches that teach you can lose your salvation or you cannot know about your salvation, but what a way to go through life; always wondering.
II. THE BLESSEDNESS OF ASSURANCE!
You might ask does the assurance of our salvation bring us blessings from our God? Our assurance brings to our hearts the highest level of joy. The apostle John gave us a series of tests to assure our hearts that we have eternal life. If we confess our sins: 1 John 1:9. If we obey His commands: 1 John 2:3-6. If we love our brothers and sisters: 1 John 2:9-11. If we no longer love this sinful world: 1 John 2:15-17. If your life is not marked by an unbroken pattern of sin: 1 John 3:3-6. If we confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: 1 John 4:2-3. We can have the highest level of joy when our hearts are resting in our faith in Jesus Christ: 1 John 1:4. Just knowing that are names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life brings us great joy: 1 Peter 1:3-9. When we have assurance of our salvation it lifts our soul to seek our God’s holiness! Matthew 6:9-10. As those who know our names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life we become very concerned about the holiness of God’s Name: 1 John 3:1-3.
III. ASSURANCE OF SALVATION FILLS OUR HEARTS WITH PRAISE, SONGS, AND PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE!
Our knowledge that we are secure in Christ and now possess eternal life that we cannot loose causes us to sing songs of praise and thanksgiving: Psalm 71:13-16. Truly the assured heart is a grateful heart: Psalm 103:1-5. Praise comes from an assured heart. Assurance strengthens our soul against temptations and trials: 1 Thessalonians 5:8. Assurance of our salvation compels us to live for our God! 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. Assurance of our salvation calms our soul even in the midst of the trials of this life: Hebrews 6:17-19; Philippians 4:6-9. Assurance of our salvation teaches us to wait on the Lord for His grace and mercy: Hebrews 4:15-16. Assurance of our salvation moves us to purify our hearts: 1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1. All these blessings are fruits of having full assurance of our salvation. Assurance of salvation and holy living for God’s glory equips the true believer for every area of the Christian life: 2 Peter 1:3-4. Let me ask you, “Do you have the assurance of your salvation? If not today is the best time to believe and receive Jesus Christ: Romans 10:9-10, 13.