Among many professing Christians today, much is made about the assurance we have in looking to Christ, and rightly so. It is only in him and by him that we have any hope at all. But I have noticed an increasing emphasis which suggests that Christian assurance is only to be had in this looking to, or resting in, Christ. This is concerning for a number of reasons.
Serious Concerns
The emphasis in looking to Christ can, and often does, tend toward being an overemphasis, to the exclusion of any calls to obedience, or mentions of the demands of Christ, or any number of commands. This is not only imbalanced, but impious and injurious to the souls of men. Any honest looking to Christ must also consider what he requires. Lest we forget, the gospel includes commands to repent and believe (Mark 1:15).
Should any sincere searcher simply read their Bible, it becomes clear and quite plain that a sure mark of a true Christian, and a requisite of assurance, is obedience. Stated simply: obedience is a proof of faith. Stated actively: believers obey. Stated soberly: dead faith is demonic (James 2:19). Being a demon isn’t exactly something we should be striving for. And yes, striving is biblical (Luke 13:24, Hebrews 4:11), and it is also obedience.
Scripture’s Confession
As a farmer will suffer want at the harvest should he never tend his garden, so a Christian will be without the fruit of assurance should he never labor. Even in the natural realm, we experience joy and satisfaction not when we are idle and lazy, but when we labor and work. No marvel, for work was ordained in the very beginning before the fall of man into sin (Genesis 2:15).
The Scriptures give assurance not simply in looking to Christ but in loving and laboring for him. The significance of this also cannot be overstated. A good and necessary balance to assurance is incumbent upon us to identify and understand before we may attain it. What I want to do is briefly walk through three different New Testament passages to prove that this is the case.
Hebrews 6
“9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”
(Hebrews 6:9-12 NASB)
Notice, first, that there are things that accompany salvation. What things?
- Your work (v. 10a)
- Love shown (v. 10b)
- Ministry to the saints (v. 10c).
Now, in light of that, where does the writer go? Does he say, “We desire that each one of you believe the same things so as to realize the full assurance?” No. Rather, he says “We desire you to show the same things.” Who would have thought that assurance was intrinsically connected to practice? But that’s exactly what these verses teach. Full assurance is realized as a result of work, love, and ministry. That’s what this text is explicitly, plainly teaching. And here’s the most interesting part: faith is undergirding it all.
1 John 3
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him
(1 John 3:18-19 NASB)
A similar thought is expressed here. True love is shown, not merely spoken. To love in deed and truth is to possess a living faith, and thus, an actual assurance. I believe that verse 19 goes with verse 18 rather than verse 20. This means that we actually assure our hearts before God by practicing the truth, not simply professing it.
The central command is this: love. And it is expressed in two ways.
- Do not love in word or with tongue (negative)
- Do love in deed and truth (positive)
The result? We will: know we are of the truth and assure our hearts before him. We might sum this up as confident assurance. Or, in the words of Hebrews 6:11, full assurance. Once again, faith undergirds this whole thing, for love is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), and the Spirit is given to those who believe (Ephesians 1:13).
2 Peter 1
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:5-11 ESV)
Make every effort; supplement your faith; be all the more diligent; confirm your calling; practice these qualities.
Why?
- They keep you from ineffectiveness and unfruitfulness (v. 8).
- They keep you from falling (v. 10).
Stated positively:
- They ensure effectiveness and fruitfulness.
- The enable you to walk uprightly.
Again, faith is presupposed (v. 5). It’s not the central point. Rather, it is the basis upon which Peter can give all these commands. Why? Because believers obey. Faith is not simply a loose profession but a living principle which is lived out in the love and labor of a believer. Tell me, what Christian will be without assurance if he is effective and fruitful in Christ, and does not fall? Is it not the one who is always stumbling and fumbling and has little fruit who is always struggling with assurance?
What Must We Do?
Much more could be said. But these three witnesses are surely sufficient. Your Christian assurance is not merely found in looking to Christ, although that is certainly important. After all, we become what we worship (2 Corinthians 3:18). However, our actions have consequences, and obedience is rewarded, not only in heaven but here on earth. Full assurance is for the obedient Christian. He not only looks to Christ; he loves and labors for Christ.
We might sum things up in this way: faithful action produces full assurance.
He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Ecclesiastes 11:4 esv