"Full Assurance"

 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." (Hebrews 7:22 KJV)

  "Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many were made righteous." (Romans 5:18-19 NLT)

 Looking back into the things that people did, like sacrifices and trying to obey God's law, it is pretty obvious to us now that none of those things really did work for removing sin or gaining righteousness. Sacrifices were only a covering for sins, and the law only showed people how sinful they really were; but what Jesus did for us on the cross changed everything!

 Trying to explain that to someone takes more than just an explanation; there needs to be some help in the process, like the Holy Spirit, to soften their hearts, in order to see the work of God to make them right. To be more direct, without the prompting of the Holy Spirit, there really won't be any interest in what is being said; let alone any understanding. 

 That morning, I was saved, I truly believe that it was God that saved me, I didn't do it on my own. There was nothing really special in my morning, except for the voice I heard over the loudspeaker, calling me to go. There must have been something that changed my heart, because I wouldn't have listed or paid any attention otherwise. 

 It's not like I never had any chances before, because I had many; several times I was invited to go to church or sit in on a Bible study, but I declined every time. So I know that it was God's doing that made me go down to that cafeteria; and it was God's Spirit that softened my heart, in order to understand the massage that was being preached. 

 What does that mean, and why is it important? As I said earlier, as far as my life had gone, I had pretty much refused to take part in any religion. After all the things I saw growing up, I decided that there was nothing I wanted or needed from any organized religion. I especially didn't want to be preached to; as it was, I had previously settled in my heart that I was going to hell, so why bother. 

 But it was God who snatched me up from the flames of hell! Just like that, He called me, changed me, and saved me from the fire! So, I am fully assured in my heart, that He will finish what He started...    

"God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21 NLT)