Apples of Gold

Sometimes I get a phrase from a song stuck in my head and randomly repeat it, and repeat it every few minutes until I drive my kids nuts. I come by this honestly because my mom is as guilty as I am of this habit. Somehow these random lyrics are stuck on repeat in my head for who knows how long. Although this can range from mildly annoying to completely aggravating it is pretty much a harmless distraction but when we find our weaknesses, shortcomings and even past sins repeatedly parading themselves across our memories our assurance becomes threatened as the enemy asks us; “Did God really say”?

This can come in different forms ”Has God really forgiven you? No other Christian has ever done something this terrible”. Or maybe it sounds more like: “Look how messy you are. Do you really think God can look at your heart and still love you?” When this approach doesn’t work he might try another direction: “Look at all you have sacrificed for God and he hasn’t answered your prayer. Doesn’t God owe you?”.

No matter which tactic prevails upon us, when we fall for it we are left even more broken and tortured. “I knew better”, “How did I fall for that?”. This cycle can be crippling for us. Feelings are so notoriously unreliable, but they can be overwhelmingly devastating. When we find ourselves struggling with assurance the best weapon to break the cycle is the written Word of God. The stability of the living and yet unchanging words God has given us can cut through the fog of confusion and allow the light of truth to reach our frightened hearts and minds.

So here is an effective battle plan for insuring our assurance:

Remind yourself that God understands your weaknesses

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are, he remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103:13-14

Even in our imperfect state; can you think of anything your child could do and later, in true repentance, ask for forgiveness that you would not completely and gladly forgive? I can assure you that God is much better at forgiveness than we are.

So, then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus gets us and still he loves us! He is not surprised that we mess up and when we come to him for help, rather than condemnation, he meets us with mercy and grace.

Remind yourself what HE says about you

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. John 6:44

He said you couldn’t even come unless you were being drawn by God Himself. Do you want to please God, and to be close to Him? God hasn’t written you off. The desire to please God is proof of His love for you.

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. John 14:21

Here is another test, do you want to obey God? Your desire to obey is proof of your love for God and His love for you!

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1John 1:8-9

Although we tend to beat ourselves up when we trip up; God is not shocked by our failures. Rather than crossing His arms and scowling at us he gave us the key to reconciliation with Him. Certainly He expects us to grow and learn from our mistakes but confession brings forgiveness and cleansing.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15

Whatever that thing is that the enemy keeps whispering in your ear, trying to assault your assurance-it has been canceled by the cross! We tend to drastically underestimate the power of the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished!”, he meant it.