Fifth Meeting:

"WHY DON'T I HAVE ASSURANCE?"

 

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life"(1John 5:11-13)

 

* Many church gores frankly say that they do not have assurance of salvation. There are even more believers who don’t admit this but live as if they have no assurance. There are even more people who devote their lives to foolish things because they do not have this assurance. Why do they go on living without this assurance? We must find the answer to this question.

 

1. It is because they do not know the new life of those who are saved.

  (1)  A saved person is one who has accepted Jesus with his heart and mind and confessed with his mouth (Jn. 1:12, Rev. 3:20).

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

  (2)  The Spirit controls those who have accepted Jesus regardless of their own power. This is true life (Rom 8:2, 1Cor.3:16, 12:3)

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

  (3)  What is the condition of the one who does not have the life (Holy Spirit)?
   ① The same condition as Adam and Eve who became corrupt and lost this life (before salvation).

  ② Satan is in control of his spirit (Jn. 8:44, Acts 10:38).

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, anddoes not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

   ③ He may acquire much but can find no peace (Mt. 11:28-29).

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

   ④ He may achieve success but troubles never cease (Mt. 12:25).                                 

Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

   ⑤ His body is controlled and led by Satan, without him even knowing it (Eph. 2:2-3).

Ephesians 2:2-3 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

   ⑥ In time, even his body becomes sick (Acts 8:4-8).

Acts 8:5-7 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

   ⑦ His heart and mind will also be afflicted (Acts 16:16-18).

Acts 16:16-18 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.

   ⑧ The day he leaves this world, he goes to hell (Lk. 16:19-31).

Luke 16:19-23 There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 "But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 "desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 "And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

2. It is because they do not know the blessing of the saved.

  (1)  Those who are saved are freed from disasters and sin which is the condition for condemnation (Eph 2:1).

Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

   ① Original sin   ② Consequential sin   ③ Ancestors' sins for idol worship

  (2) They are immediately freed from the burdens of the world and the power of Satan (Eph 2:2).

Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

  (3) They are eternally freed from the power of hell (Eph 2:6).

Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

  (4) They leave their testimony for generations to come (Eph 2:7).

Ephesians 2:7  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

 

3.  It is because they do not know the privileges of the saved (Mt 16:13-20)

  (1) The privilege of proclaiming the gospel is given only to the saints.

   ① He makes them as firm as rocks (salvation).   ② He builds His church (evangelism).

  (2) The privilege of overcoming Satan’s power is given only to the saints.

   ① Confront with an attitude of entering into battle (1 Pet 5:8, James 4:7)  

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

   ② We need to have an attitude of persevering to the end (Lk 18:5)

Luke 18:5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "

  (3) The privilege of answered player is given only to the saints.

   ① The blessings" received by the unsaved come from Satan's limited power under God's permissive will (Prov. 16:4).

Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

   ② Therefore, you must have the key to answered prayer.

 

4. It is because they do not know the lifestyle of the saved.

  (1)  Let’s confirm the lifestyle of the unsaved.

  (2)  Believers must receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26-27).

John 14:26-27 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

   ① Cast off your anxieties (1Pet. 5:7).

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

   ② Completely gain everything, by completely denying yourself (Gal. 2:20).

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

   ③ Get rid of hidden motives. These motives bring failure after victory. God’s Spirit is not deceived by man (Acts. 5:1-10).

Acts 5:1-4 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 "While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."

   (3)  If you want to be led by the Holy Spirit:

   ① Jesus Christ must be the center of your life (2 Cor 5:17).

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

   ② Prayer must be the highest priority in your life (Act 16:13, 16)

Acts 16:13,16 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 16 ¶ Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.

   ③ Your life’s everything must be proclaiming the gospel (Act 1:8)

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

 

5. Healing - Problem of ancestor worship
  (1) Dead person's wish (Lk. 16:19-31)

Luke 16:27-31 Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, 28 'for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' 30 "And he said, 'No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'
  (2) Ancestor worship - unbiblical, unscientific, primitive
  (3) The spiritual problems that come from ancestor worship (1Cor.10:20, Mt.12:43-35)

1 Corinthians 10:20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.