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"This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14, 15.
"The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 420.
You live by faith! You do not live by feeling! You must build your experience on God's word!
New Christians sometimes confuse faith and feeling. You need to exercise faith in the pledged word of God, regardless of your feelings. Some new believers fail to accept the forgiveness of God and the assurance of acceptance into the family of God. This failure can happen by not taking God at His word and by mistakenly paying too much attention to one's own feelings and moods. Faith always precedes the joy and peace which result from the assurance of forgiveness and acceptance. You need to trust God.
What information does the Bible give on your acceptance and assurance of faith? In this lesson you will discover—
PROMISES OF ACCEPTANCE
1. Through whom are you adopted by God? Ephesians 1:4, 5.
Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--
2. What is the basis of faith and assurance? Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
3. What is the evidence of your acceptance? 1 John 5:9-11.
1 John 5:9-11 (NIV) We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10) Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
4. Why did the apostle John write his testimony about Christ? 1 John 5:13.
1 John 5:13 (NIV) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Note: The first basis of your faith and acceptance is the Word of God—that which the Bible has stated. To receive and believe this is the first essential to salvation. It is also the first evidence of your acceptance.
5. Where is the evidence of acceptance within yourself? 1 John 5:10.
1 John 5:10. (NIV) "Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son."
6. What other evidence do you have? 1 John 3:14
1 John 3:14 (NIV) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
7. How only does anyone know he is a child of God? Galatians 3:26.
Galatians 3:26 (NIV) "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ."
ASSURANCE OF FAITH
8. How can you be strengthened in your faith? Romans 4:20, 21.
Romans 4:20-21 (NIV) Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21) being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
9. How do you set your heart at rest in the Lord? 1 John 3:18, 19.
1 John 3:18-19 (NIV) Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19) This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.
Mark each one true (T) or (F) false.
__Christians love with emotions only.
__Christians love in word and actions.
__A Christian's actions agree with God's word.
__A life in harmony with God's will is restful.
__A Christian can never know he belongs to Christ.
10. How can you know that Christ lives in you? 1 John 3:24.
1 John 3:24 (NIV) 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.
11. What makes your life of faith complete? James 2:22.
James 2:22 (NIV) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
12. What assurance is given if you follow the spiritual life? Romans 8:13, 14.
Romans 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14) because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
13. Will God fulfill His promises to you? Numbers 23:19.
Numbers 23:19 (NIV) God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
State simply your reason for trusting God.
MY LIFE RESPONSE
Your personal assurance of faith is as real as the promises of God. You have the promise, "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:14.
Trusting the pledged word of the Lord, you can believe you are accepted as His child. Claim it as a right of your relationship with Christ. Believe it and talk about it to others!
Write what it means to you to know that the Lord has accepted you and loves you.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.