Standing Strong: Assurance and Joy in Salvation
Summary
In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul exhorts believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The devil's tactics are not just against the church as a whole but also target individual believers, attacking their minds, experiences, and wills. One of the devil's most insidious strategies is to undermine our assurance of salvation. He can give us a false sense of assurance, making us believe we are spiritually rich when we are not, or he can shake our confidence, making us doubt our salvation.
The devil cannot take away our salvation, but he can rob us of the joy and assurance that come with it. This is why some Christians live in misery, despite their faith. The devil uses various tactics to achieve this, such as making us question the very possibility of assurance, a teaching that has been perpetuated by some religious traditions. He also tries to convince us that if we lack assurance, we are not true Christians, a misunderstanding that even some Protestant reformers fell into.
Another tactic is to make us dwell on our past sins and failures, leading to despair and robbing us of present joy. The devil wants us to believe that our past mistakes are irredeemable, but God promises to restore the years the locusts have eaten. We must not let the devil's lies keep us from the joy of our salvation.
Variations in our spiritual experiences can also be a source of doubt. The devil uses these fluctuations to make us question our faith. However, our relationship with God is not dependent on our feelings but on the truth of His promises. We must focus on our relationship with Him, not on our changing emotions.
Ultimately, our assurance comes from understanding the doctrine of justification by faith. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works or feelings. This understanding should lead us to rejoice in our salvation, regardless of our circumstances or past.
Key Takeaways:
- The devil's primary aim is to rob believers of the joy and assurance of their salvation, not the salvation itself. Understanding this distinction is crucial for maintaining spiritual joy and confidence. [03:53]
- Assurance of salvation is not presumption but a biblical promise. Misunderstandings about assurance can lead to unnecessary spiritual misery, which the devil exploits to keep believers in a state of fear and doubt. [07:53]
- Dwelling on past sins and failures is a tactic of the devil to keep us from experiencing the joy of our salvation. God's promise to restore the years the locusts have eaten assures us that our past does not define our future. [23:02]
- Variations in spiritual experience are normal and should not lead us to doubt our salvation. Our relationship with God is based on His promises, not our fluctuating feelings. [35:33]
- Justification by faith is the foundation of our assurance. Our salvation is secure in Christ, and understanding this truth allows us to rejoice in our relationship with God, regardless of our emotional state. [41:23]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:46] - The Devil's Schemes Against the Church
- [01:33] - Attacks on Individual Believers
- [02:44] - Assurance of Salvation
- [03:53] - The Devil Cannot Rob Salvation
- [05:13] - Questioning Assurance
- [07:27] - Assurance and Presumption
- [09:32] - Rejoicing in the Lord
- [11:33] - The Devil's Extremes
- [13:22] - Justification by Faith
- [15:50] - Assurance Without Perfection
- [19:14] - The Past and Its Regrets
- [23:02] - God's Promise of Restoration
- [31:08] - Variations in Experience
- [35:33] - Relationship Over Feelings
- [41:23] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- 1 John 5:13
- Romans 5:1
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God" in Ephesians 6:10-13?
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the devil's tactics used against individual believers? [01:33]
3. How does the sermon describe the devil's role as the "Accuser of the Brethren"? [04:56]
4. What is the significance of the doctrine of justification by faith in relation to assurance of salvation? [10:03]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the devil's tactic of making believers question their assurance of salvation affect their spiritual joy and confidence? [03:53]
2. In what ways can dwelling on past sins and failures impact a believer's present joy and assurance? [19:14]
3. How do variations in spiritual experience lead to doubts about one's faith, and what is the sermon’s perspective on this? [31:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between feelings and one's assurance of salvation? [35:33]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt your assurance of salvation was shaken. What steps can you take to strengthen your confidence in God's promises? [03:53]
2. How can you remind yourself of God's promise to restore the years the locusts have eaten when you are tempted to dwell on past mistakes? [23:02]
3. Identify a specific way you can focus more on your relationship with God rather than fluctuating emotions. How might this change your daily spiritual practice? [35:33]
4. Consider the role of justification by faith in your life. How does understanding this doctrine help you rejoice in your salvation, regardless of your circumstances? [10:03]
5. Think about a recent spiritual experience that caused you doubt. How can you use the truth of God's promises to counteract those doubts? [31:08]
6. How can you support a fellow believer who is struggling with assurance of salvation, using insights from the sermon? [05:13]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to focus on the joy of your salvation rather than the devil's lies about your past or present? [23:02]
Devotional
Day 1: The Devil's Aim to Steal Joy and Assurance
The devil's primary aim is to rob believers of the joy and assurance of their salvation, not the salvation itself. Understanding this distinction is crucial for maintaining spiritual joy and confidence. The devil uses subtle tactics to make believers doubt their standing with God, often by attacking their minds and emotions. He cannot take away salvation, but he can make believers feel as though they are not truly saved, leading to a life of spiritual misery. Recognizing this strategy helps believers to stand firm in their faith and maintain the joy that comes from knowing they are secure in Christ. [03:53]
Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV): "In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
Reflection: In what ways have you allowed doubt to steal your joy in salvation? How can you remind yourself of the assurance you have in Christ today?
Day 2: Assurance as a Biblical Promise
Assurance of salvation is not presumption but a biblical promise. Misunderstandings about assurance can lead to unnecessary spiritual misery, which the devil exploits to keep believers in a state of fear and doubt. Assurance is rooted in the promises of God and the finished work of Christ, not in our feelings or performance. By understanding that assurance is a gift from God, believers can live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing they are secure in their relationship with Him. [07:53]
Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's promises to strengthen your assurance of salvation today?
Day 3: Overcoming the Weight of Past Sins
Dwelling on past sins and failures is a tactic of the devil to keep us from experiencing the joy of our salvation. God's promise to restore the years the locusts have eaten assures us that our past does not define our future. The devil wants us to believe that our past mistakes are irredeemable, but God offers forgiveness and restoration. By focusing on God's promises and His ability to redeem our past, we can move forward in joy and confidence, knowing that our future is secure in Him. [23:02]
Joel 2:25-26 (ESV): "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame."
Reflection: What past sin or failure do you need to release to God today, trusting in His promise of restoration?
Day 4: Stability Amidst Spiritual Fluctuations
Variations in spiritual experience are normal and should not lead us to doubt our salvation. Our relationship with God is based on His promises, not our fluctuating feelings. The devil uses these fluctuations to make us question our faith, but understanding that our salvation is secure in Christ allows us to remain stable amidst the ups and downs of life. By focusing on God's unchanging nature and His promises, we can maintain our assurance and joy, regardless of our emotional state. [35:33]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: How can you anchor your faith in God's unchanging promises rather than your changing emotions today?
Day 5: Justification by Faith as the Foundation of Assurance
Justification by faith is the foundation of our assurance. Our salvation is secure in Christ, and understanding this truth allows us to rejoice in our relationship with God, regardless of our emotional state. The devil seeks to undermine this assurance by making us doubt our standing with God, but by focusing on the doctrine of justification, we can stand firm in our faith. This understanding leads to a life of joy and confidence, knowing that our salvation is not based on our works but on the finished work of Christ. [41:23]
Romans 5:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Reflection: How does understanding justification by faith change the way you view your relationship with God today?
Quotes
The devil cannot Rob us of our Salvation try as he will that is something he cannot do but while he cannot Rob us of the Salvation itself he can most certainly R Us of the joy of Salvation or the enjoyment of the Salvation or the rejoicing in the Salvation. [00:03:50]
There are many Christians who've never had Assurance of Salvation because they don't believe even in the possibility of assurance of Salvation they say it's something that literally cannot happen. [00:05:20]
The answer to it all is the teaching of the New Testament itself which exalts us to assurance these things says John in his first epistle 5:3 these things write we unto you that believe that he might know that he have eternal life that you might know it. [00:09:20]
Ultimately this is a matter of understanding clearly the doctrine of justification by faith only it is the bringing in of works again in some shape or form that accounts for this failure to realize that the Christian is meant to rejoice. [00:10:03]
It is possible for one to be a True Believer and yet for various reasons to lack assurance of Salvation it's generally because of defective teaching or because the devil I say has persuaded Us in some way or another to be looking too much in at ourselves. [00:15:48]
A clear understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith should lead to Assurance of Salvation being justified by faith therefore says the Apostle in Romans 51 being therefore justified by faith having been therefore justified by faith we have peace with God. [00:16:29]
If you know that you're a sinner if you have ceased to rely upon your own works and if you are looking only to the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect work on your behalf in his life in his death upon the cross in his resurrection and Ascension. [00:17:25]
How often are Christian people robbed of their joy and their Assurance by the devil pers persuading us to look back looking at the past skeleton in the in the cupboard there's nothing that he does so frequently as this. [00:19:19]
God Says is this I will restore the years that the Locust has eaten thank God I agree amen it's the only word in the universe that can tell you that this morning no other teaching can tell you I will restore all the years that the Locust has eaten. [00:24:11]
The devil has persuaded us to pay too much attention to our states and our moods and to our feelings instead of our relationship to him you see the Christian is meant to have the enjoyment all right says the devil I'll keep you on that. [00:35:19]
Whatever I may feel it is the relationship that matters and my feeling do not make the slightest difference to the relationship thank God I'm suddenly reminded of the wonderful illustration in many ways that that Scottish evangelist John mcneel used to use. [00:37:19]
When the Devil comes to you and tries to shake you because you're varying feelings and moods and States say to him it's all right I'm not saved by them I'm saved by him and I'm relying on him and on him alone. [00:41:19]
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