Strong in Grace: Fully Assured

So you, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.      
2 Timothy 2:1

 We've begun a new study looking at being strong in the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is growing strong and fully persuaded in what Jesus accomplished for us in the Finished Work. Fully trusting in His perfect redemptive work and not our own works or performance.

 Today, it seemed good to focus on another vital aspect of growth in Grace. That is being fully confident in the full assurance Grace provided. In this world, there aren't too many things that are assured. 

 Sports teams move from one city to another, changing their name. Businesses and restaurants close their doors. Sometimes people let us down. The one constant we who trust in Christ have is the full assurance of His great love and favor and goodness towards us. 

 Look how the Word describes this assurance;

that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,  Colossians 2:2 NKJV

 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, Hebrews 6:11 NKJV

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22 NKJV

 Fully assured. We who are in Christ have a confident expectation of good and are fully assured in our relationship with Christ. Paul sums up this Gospel of the Good news and the assurance that accompanies it.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.  1 Thessalonians 1:5 NKJV

 The Good News Gospel of Grace brings with it a fully assured Faith. A confident expectation of good and the assurance He is faithful to His Word. It leaves our hearts fully assured that He is with us forever and will never leave or forsake or abandon us. 

 Again things in this life may let us down, but we have confident assurance God will never let us down. This full assurance in Christ is louder than fear. Louder than insecurity. Louder than uncertainty. It's louder than any condemnation or accusation of the enemy or religious tradition.

 This assurance from God is louder than any sin or failure. We look at our failures, our mistakes, our shortcomings, our sin and feel like we are distant, far off and separated from God our Father. This full assurance that the Gospel brings silences these guilt and shame ridden accusations. Being fully assured of His great love reminds us of who we are and whose we are. It reassures us of our righteousness in Christ and full acceptance with God. 

 The assurance reaffirms our identity in Christ. It brings us out of bad habits, addictions, and sins. It helps us grow into who He already made us in the Finished Work. We rest in His unchanging Grace and Love.

 In summation, rejoice, this Grace produces a fully confident Faith. It brings with it full assurance. We can rule and reign over fear, anxiety, worry, insecurity, and uncertainty. We have full assurance of our Father's Love for us, His approval of us and our perfect right standing in His sight. We stand fully assured and shame and condemnation free. 

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