WE will now close the chapter on Justification and Assurance, as we’ve been looking at Positional Truth, the implications of our Union in Christ. What have we hopefully learned?
WE have observed that God began training us in positional truth before we were born again, convicting us of sin by revealing our needy condition, then making it clear from the Word that we were lost sinners positionally; in the wrong family.
NEXT we saw the grace of the Father who brought us to a turning from our natural, fallen condition and position, to believe on His Son and place us into our new position in Christ. Much of this wonderful transaction and transition was not understood at the time.
THEN we came to understand that justification is in Christ and not in ourselves; it is a truth of position, not condition. It is a fact believed. …As we rest in our justified position, our spiritual condition is affected; we experience something of the newfound peace and joy of the Lord, and His love for us.
FROM there we went on to learn that our blessed assurance of salvation is based squarely upon our position in the Lord Jesus as our righteousness, resulting when we realize what our Father has done and said. We learned not to trust our feelings but the sure foundation of God’s word alone, understanding the necessity of knowing, then abiding in our position: “The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16, Amp.). The witness of the Spirit is His witness to the Word wherein lies God’s revelation of our eternal position.
AS we learned in the last consideration, all seems so simple and solved during the infant stage of our Christian life. But the Lord must take us on from milk to meat, to become responsible, spiritually intelligent, adult believers in our Quest for Christ in us (Col. 1:27). We must not only become firmly and clearly established in the deeper truths ourselves, but we must be qualified to share them effectively with others. Once we are sure and sound, the Lord can establish others through us. … “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him: (Col 2:6); “that [you] may be able to comfort those …, with the comfort with which [you yourself have been] comforted by God.” 2Cor 1:4
WITH that review before us, we’ll complete this chapter with the following conclusion:
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Justification and Assurance, …conclusion.
Until we are solidly founded upon the first principles of spiritual birth, we cannot be taken on to the principles of growth and maturity. “For every one that useth milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection [maturity]” (Heb. 5:13, 14; 6:1).
As the electronic eye of the space vehicle locks onto its designated star for guidance and maintenance upon its heavenly course, so are we to fix our eye of faith upon our heavenly position—the Bright and Morning Star. Thus, in our “looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith,” we shall find experientially that “the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day” (Heb. 12:2, ASV, Prov. 4:18, NASB)
