Where Is Your Evidence?
Hebrews 11:1
We claim to be christians. We hope that we are the children of God, heirs
of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. We hope that we have been elected,
redeemed, and called by grace. But where is the evidence? If we can rightfully
lay claim to that eternal salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with full
assurance and confidence, we must be able to prove that it is ours by the
evidence God has given in his Word.
Of this I am sure - NO
EXPERIENCE OF GRACE, FEELING OF SPIRITUALITY, OR WORK PERFORMED BY ME, PAST OR
PRESENT, IS EVIDENCE THAT I AM A CHILD OF GOD (Matt. 7:21-23). I know that all
who are born of God do experience repentance, faith, and conversion. All
believers experience conviction, inner conflict with sin, love, joy, and peace.
And God's children all walk in good works. But these things may all be
counterfeited by satan. If your assurance is built on
these things either you are a proud, self-righteous hypocrite, deceiving your
own heart with a refuge of lies, or you have no real peace of heart, assurance
of faith, and confidence before God at all.
AND THOSE GRACES AND
WORKS WHICH MAY CONVINCE OTHERS THAT I AM A CHILD OF GOD CAN NEVER CONVINCE MY
OWN HEART AND CONSCIENCE. EVEN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS NO SURE EVIDENCE TO
ME THAT I AM ONE OF GOD'S ELECT. There are some things by which we know one
another, as well as men can, to be believers: good works (Matt.
EVEN LOVE FOR MY
BRETHREN IS NO SURE EVIDENCE OF A SAVING INTEREST IN CHRIST. Our love for one
another convinces us of one another's salvation (I John
THE ONLY EVIDENCE I
HAVE OF MY SAVING INTEREST IN CHRIST IS FAITH IN CHRIST (Heb. 11:1). I have no
clear title to heaven but faith and faith is enough. God says it is enough. And
my conscience says it is enough (I John 5:1, 10-13).
Don Fortner