ABCs of Christian Faith

October 13, 1991 PM

1 John 3:19 "This is how we know that we belong ..."

Introduction:

Last Sunday night I spoke at some length about the threat to the church of an unchallenged faith. I asked the question:

"Are you saved?"

and followed that first question up with another:

"Who says so?"

It is essential that we have the certainty of God's personal revelation by the Word, and by the Spirit within, and by the witness of a changed life. I said that a person who claims to be a Christian but does not have Christ at the center of his/her life is a greater threat to the church than all the evils outside the structure of the church.

How do you know that you are saved? What finally gives assurance? I spoke last week about (1) confessing Jesus as Lord, and (2) believing in the heart that God has raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9.10.

But tonight I want to talk a little more about the "knowing" aspect; I want to zero in on assurance. It is wonderful to KNOW that we are really children of God.

Maybe my own testimony will ring bells with you; maybe not.

A CHILD'S FAITH REAL, PRECIOUS, FRAGILE?

As a small child I recall asking Jesus into my heart. I knew my parents were 'right.' I knew that when the preachers said something, it was true.

A TEENAGER'S FAITH HONEST, SINCERE, DOUBTING

But after straying a bit, and losing my assurance, as a teenager I remember coming to the altar as a seeker, and I wanted to KNOW that I was really saved. I heard the older people testify, and had no real reason to doubt they were experiencing something as a backslidden teenager that I didn't know.

So when I came to the altar I wanted to KNOW!! I prayed, I looked around— I saw other people crying or laughing. I wanted to feel something new or electric going up and down my spine. I wanted to be a new creature in Christ.

THE ADVICE OF OTHERS BASED ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE

People were there at the altar with me, and they gave me the benefit of their wisdom. I respected them. I listened. How could I know I am saved?

The Bible says thus and so.

I know— and I believe the Bible. But I am not so sure that I am meeting all the requirements— and if I am, how come I am not changing in a way I can feel?

Well, my pastor told me. Now I don't doubt my pastor, but what's good for HIM may not quite reach to where I am. Is my pastor infallible?

SOMEHOW EACH SUCCESSIVE STEP IN FAITH IS NOT EASIER- IT REQUIRES SOMETHING MORE

As a small child I recall inviting Jesus "into my heart, come into my heart, Lord Jesus, Come in today, come in to stay..."

"Where is He?" "In my heart!"

As a wayward teen I recall earnestly listening at the altar as someone explained the logic and the reason of it all.

But I longed for a vehicle of change, something under the hood, an experience, a reality, a something!

The question then (and often now) was/is: "WHAT HAS GOD DONE FOR YOU?"

A PARTIAL FAITH IS BETTER THAN NONE; A 'FORMULA' CAN BE USED TO CHANGE LIVES BUT THERE REMAINS A NAGGING WISH FOR CERTAINTY

I knew the expected answer and I gave it hopefully. I really HAD confessed my sins! I really DID believe that Jesus died for me. And I really believe this day that he "took me back" then— because my life was changed! I had a new hunger for the Word. I experienced a renewed "call," or "vocation," as Catholics would call it.

TODAY I AM SATISFIED THAT I BELONG TO JESUS I HAVE AN INNER ASSURANCE I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW THIS CERTAINTY HAS DEVELOPED TO BE HONEST

But I THINK it was when I began to get OUT OF EXPERIENCE SEEKING INTO RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

Remember the question that was asked at the altar? A legitimate question, too: WHAT HAS GOD/JESUS DONE FOR YOU? TELL US WHAT GOD HAS DONE!

Perhaps there is a better question we could ask ourselves every day. And that question is:

WHO IS GOD TO ME?

For the final end of our salvation is to bring us near to God, and to love Him and let Him love us!

GOD WANTS TO MOVE, IN LOVE, INTO THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES!

He is pleased when we treat Him like the Person that He is, instead of thinking of Him simply as a Great Natural Resource.

WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

In all honesty, if people think of who God is at all, many think of Him

1. As a distant Observer and Threat to Happiness. The idea that He can be a Friend and a daily Companion never enters their mind!
2. Others see God as Good and Right and Holy but Unapproachable, a sort of modern "deist" position.
3. Still others see God as Angry or Grieved with my sins; and if He is distant and hard to reach that is not good news!

But God wants to reveal Himself to all who will come to know Him. I believe there are "relational steps to salvation!"

The steps to salvation along this relationship way of thinking may well be exactly the same as along the experience ladder. The relationship is the other side of the coin of experience. But it is the HEAD side!

1. AWARENESS

   THE FORMULA WAY, "experience" says: I am lost, I am doomed, I am on my way to eternity without hope.

   "Relationship" says: Jesus Christ is my HOPE, my only hope!

2. CONVICTION

   "Experience" says: I feel so guilty for my sins!"

   "Relationship" says: "God is my displeased with sin! God is my CONVICTER! He is drawing me to pray.

3. DECISION

   "Experience" says: "I want Jesus to save me!"

   "Relationship" says: "Jesus Christ is my LORD, if he will have me!" And He will! Subtle difference: "I am saved!" and "Jesus is LORD!"

4. FAITH

   "Experience" says "I am saved! I receive salvation and sanctification!"

   "Relationship" says "Jesus is my Savior!" "Jesus is My Sanctifier by giving me His Spirit!"

5. KEEPING GRACE

   "Experience says: "I have walked with God lo these many years!"

   "Relationship" says: "Jesus has become my dearest Friend! I never want to leave Him! He has promised never to leave me!"

Conclusion

This passage — which was used at the altar January 18, 1948, when as a 17-year-old backslider I was at an altar seeking certainty — worked then in the experience-formula way. I believed the logic; I was at the altar because I was drawn by the Spirit.

"If your heart does not condemn you!" I knew I was sincere. But I didn't FEEL anything! I confessed Jesus as my Lord, publicly. My private life changed. The experiential way "worked."

But this passage is about LOVE!

The proof is in the LOVE! Here it speaks of the love within the church, the love of God abiding in the Presence God's Spirit within.

And across the years I have tried at least to balance the experience with the relationship. Not just what has god done for me... BUT WHO IS GOD JUST NOW TO ME!

And THAT is where the assurance has come! I don't KNOW if I am as good a Christian as someone else. I don't KNOW if my experience matches yours, and I don't really care! But I do know that Jesus means EVERYTHING to me! He IS my Friend, my Master, my Savior, my Lord! I belong to Him!

WHO IS JESUS TO YOU?

WS # - Jesus Is All the World to Me