Assured by the Trinity

A friend said once in my presence, “If I appeared at the door of heaven and God sent me to Hell, I know He would have the right to do that.” It shocked me because I knew this man to be a devoted Christian. However, he understood that the only way we get into God’s presence is by His grace – by the finished work of Christ on the cross. God is under no obligation to save us. But, thankfully, He chose to do so.

Partly because of an understanding of their own unworthiness and of the great holiness of God, there are some who struggle with assurance of their salvation. They wonder if God, in the end, will turn them away from heaven’s door.

If we have acknowledged Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives, we do not have to live with such doubts. As John Owen has said, “Therefore, on God alone will I rely for my keeping. I will continually look to Him.”

Thankfully, another John, a disciple of Jesus, wrote in his first epistle about specific ways in which the Triune God encourages and assures us. Read what he wrote as an old man, after years of following and serving Christ:

“And this is his (God’s) command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” – 1 John 3:23-24

“We know we live in him (God) and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” – 1 John 4:13-16.

God loved us and sent His Son. Jesus willingly came and paid the penalty for our sins. And now the Holy Spirit resides within us reassuring us that our salvation is complete and eternal. We don’t have to live with doubts, we just have to believe God and accept the Spirit’s assuring message and presence.

“No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ BY SIGHT hereafter, who doth not in some measure behold it BY FAITH here in this world. Grace is a necessary preparation for glory, and faith for sight.” – John Owen

#belongingtogod