IT IS VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, I'M A CHRISTIAN
In order to back up your claim to Christ and all that are Christ's, try to live the life.
If you succeed then you have strong assurance, but if not ... then you are just deceiving yourself.
Isa_32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
A man who is in Christ will have two natures, and one of those two natures would be a natural tendency to be righteous. The effect of that proclivity to righteousness is a heart at peace with God, which Isaiah describes as quietness. The effect of having peace with God is assurance of a relationship which can not end, it is for ever. This then goes on to a circular pattern; the more you have quietness and assurance, the more you yearn for a righteous life which gives you more peace and assurance.
Col_2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Those who have not yet or have never received the true New Birth experience will fail and keep on failing no matter how hard they try, in this pattern of being knit with Christ and with the brethren. Such a one will also fail to understand and appreciate the things of God. At the time of trials, their hearts will not be comforted by Christ, but will be tempted and will tend to go away.
Heb_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.
In order to back up your claim to Christ and all that are Christ's, try to live the life.
If you succeed then you have strong assurance, but if not ... then you are just deceiving yourself.
Isa_32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
A man who is in Christ will have two natures, and one of those two natures would be a natural tendency to be righteous. The effect of that proclivity to righteousness is a heart at peace with God, which Isaiah describes as quietness. The effect of having peace with God is assurance of a relationship which can not end, it is for ever. This then goes on to a circular pattern; the more you have quietness and assurance, the more you yearn for a righteous life which gives you more peace and assurance.
Col_2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Those who have not yet or have never received the true New Birth experience will fail and keep on failing no matter how hard they try, in this pattern of being knit with Christ and with the brethren. Such a one will also fail to understand and appreciate the things of God. At the time of trials, their hearts will not be comforted by Christ, but will be tempted and will tend to go away.
Heb_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.
Words like this will not appear to them. Instead of drawing near, the religious but lost will walk afar off, further and further, and their fire for the ministry will be turned to smoke.
But those who are Christ's will have a true heart in full assurance of faith. They will have consciences sensitive to the wooing of the Spirit.
Did I just describe who you really are?
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