How can we balance assurance with the danger of falling? How can I know that I am right with God? We all sin – I am not perfect – can I still have hope? All sin Careful Could Fall Hope Assurance Possible that I am failing in areas I don’t even know?

The Christian’s Assurance The Christian’s Assurance

The Christian’s Assurance The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance

The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance Can know that we are faithful Christians Know our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) Know that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16)

The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance Can know that we are faithful Christians Can have hope & be assured Comes as result of being justified by faith (Rom. 5:1-5) If children, then heirs (Rom. 8:17-21) There is a rest that remains (Heb. 4:1, 9) Can have full assurance (Heb. 10:22) Can know we have eternal life (1 John 2:25; 5:13) Hope Desire + Expectation Any Danger Any Warning Must be Balanced

The Christian’s Assurance The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do

Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do Can know that I am abiding by the word Know that we are what the Spirit reveals (Rom. 8:16) Know that I am in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)

Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do Can know that I am abiding by the word Can know what the will of God is Can the truth (John 8:32) Can read and understand the will of Christ (Eph. 3:3-5) Commanded to know (Eph. 5:17) Can do anything God expects of me (Phil. 4:13)

Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do Can know that I am abiding by the word Can know what the will of God is How to live the Christian life – not hard to know or do Not continue in sin (Rom. 6) Relationships (Rom. 12-13) Lord’s Supper in worthy manner (1 Cor. 11) Give (1 Cor. 16:1-2) Put on new man (Eph. 4:17-32; Col. 3:10-25) Put off sin (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) Watch language (Eph. 5:4) Home and family (Eph. 5-6)

Family Home Worship Sin (not do) Conduct self on job How treat others Personal Godliness Obey civil law

Even these are not impossible – with study Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do Can know that I am abiding by the word Can know what the will of God is How to live the Christian life – not hard to know or do Difficult / hard passages – don’t really affect my living right Baptism for the dead (1 Cor. 15:29) Unequally yoked (2 Cor. 6:14) Marry only in the Lord (1 Cor. 7:39) In what way did Jesus empty himself? (Phil. 2:7) Day approaching (Heb. 10:25) Did David do wrong in eating the showbread? (Matt. 12) Even these are not impossible – with study (2 Pet. 3:16-18)

The Christian’s Assurance The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do The Christian Will Not Be Perfect

The Christian Will Not Be Perfect The Christian will sin Will sin again after becoming a Christian (1 John 1:8) Examples: Simon did (Acts 8:20-22) Peter did (Gal. 2:11-14) Doesn’t mean – justified or excused – just states fact! Sin must be corrected Simon did (Acts 8) Must confess (1 John 1:9)

The Christian Will Not Be Perfect The Christian will sin The Christian does not live in a constant state of sin Romans 6 – not to continue in sin 1 John 2:1 – write that you sin not 1 John 3:3-10 – do not sin 1 John 5:16-18 – sin not unto death Do Sin (1 John 1:8) Correct it “not unto death” Continue in Sin (1 John 3:9) No Correction “unto death” Difference

The Christian Will Not Be Perfect The Christian will sin The Christian does not live in a constant state of sin A lack of perfection is not sin False concept: I am in a constant state of sin because I am not perfect

Lack of perfection is not sin Absolute No Varying Degrees Can be Perfect No Growth Relative Are Varying Degrees Will Never Be Perfect Room for Growth Baptism being immersion Baptism for remission Lord’s Supper on first day Faith Knowledge Self-Control Godliness Kindness Lack of perfection is not sin Key: Diligence (2 Pet. 1:5, 10)

The Christian Will Not Be Perfect The Christian will sin The Christian does not live in a constant state of sin A lack of perfection is not sin Has to be room for growth We are continually growing 1 Pet. 2:1 – grow as babes 2 Pet. 3:18 – grow in grace and knowledge Col. 1:11 – increasing (same word “grow”) When we don’t account for room to grow Expect the same of all (new born babes & mature) No improving or maturing

2 Peter 1:5-10 Love 8 Brotherly Kindness 7 Godliness 6 Perseverance 5 Not Perfect Love 8 Brotherly Kindness 7 Godliness Room for Growth 6 Perseverance 5 Self Control Never Will Master to Perfection 4 Knowledge 3 Virtue Key: Diligence (vv. 5, 10) 2 Faith 1

The Christian’s Assurance The Christian Can Have Hope & Assurance Christian Living isn’t Hard to Understand or Do The Christian Will Not Be Perfect