Assurance: January 25, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 2012

ASSURANCE

DEFINITION:

An ernest statement intended to give confidence; freedom from doubt; a promise.

SCRIPTURE:

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. I John 5:20

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

People of all ages today constantly need assurance. When a child takes his or her first step he or she looks to the parent for assurance. They want you to know what they have accomplished and want a “good job, we are proud of you” response.

The same is wanted when a child enters new endeavors. They look for assurance when they have their first day of school. The same when they have to take their first test or give their first speech.

Teenagers need assurance that only a parent can give when they start a new school or meet new friends. And adults need assurance at their work places. If a boss never gives one a pat on the back or says “good job” one gets very discouraged and soon loses interest in their job.

In the verse we have written above the writer in closing his letter makes strong comments as to the assurance that God gives to us as believers. What God has told us in His Word is true and unshakeable. What He has revealed to us is absolutely certain.

In fact in three consecutive verses, I John 5: 18, 19, and 20, John begins with the confident phrase of assurance, “We know.” John says that we are of God, that we possess the very nature and being of God, and that the whole world is in the power of the evil one.

The world talks about love and hungers for love, but it does not understand the very thing that it seeks, and it lacks the power to practice it because the world does not know the One who is love personified.

God is love. John writes that since we are of God, He has given us the understanding to know Him and the power to experience eternal life. What a declaration this is and what assurance this gives to all of us who believe in Him.

We live in an age of moral relativism, where people claim we cannot know anything for sure, where uncertainties and confusion abound. But we, as believers in Jesus, have been given the assurance that we are people who can stand alone in an unsecure world that is falling apart because of our trust in God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 2:2-3.

As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow thereby, if needed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the assurance that You have given me because of my faith in You. May I this day be the shining light that You expect of me so that others may find the same assurance in life that I experience daily because of You.