ASSURANCE

I recall a work colleague telling me that driving home after a holiday, he came across a long line of traffic following an accident. He stopped in plenty of time, but unfortunately, the vehicles behind did not. His car was shunted into the cars in front of him, but because the car he was driving was renowned for its safety features, he, his wife and two children were unharmed.

Sometime later, his car was returned to him in pristine condition, but he confessed he was unhappy as he thought the chassis was “out of alignment”.  Although he had the car checked by two different dealers, he was still wary and decided to change it for another similar model.

I recall a man who had faithfully served God as a missionary in Africa, but had lost his assurance of salvation and at the end of most Gospel services would walk to the front, kneel and call out, “Lord save me”. Today, I suspect, there would be a medical diagnosis but there are some people today (perhaps more than we realise) who lack assurance of salvation.

A memory stimulated by this relates to a woman, probably in her 30s giving her testimony to a group of young people around 15 years younger and saying, “If you ever doubt that you are saved, then that doubt should assure you that you are. Satan wouldn’t bother to test you if you were not a Christian”.

Some readers can quote Bible passages that provide a better foundation. Romans 10 verse 9 is one to which the poet would say, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it”.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when we sing the words of “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine” may it reaffirm the relationship that we have with you. AMEN