True Assurance

“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us-- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”

(Galatians 3:10-14 ESV)

As I’ve visited with people about matters of faith, throughout the years, one thing has become clear. Although most people confess faith in Jesus, and although they understand that he died on the cross, this isn’t where they find the assurance of salvation. They look, instead, to themselves. They look to their efforts and their obedience to God’s commands.



This is true of people both inside and outside of the church. Even among those who are typically present in church most weeks, a large number think the same way. Even though they’ve heard the gospel countless times, they do not look to him as the source of their salvation.



Most believe that they will go to heaven when they die. But when asked why they believe this, they point to their own inherent goodness or to their good works. They say that they are a good person. They say that they try to live according to God’s commands. And they say that they generally do more good than bad.



If this is how we believe, we are in a dangerous place. As Paul points out in the above passage, all who rely on works of the law are under a curse. They are cursed because they do not abide by all things written in the book of the law.



No matter how good we believe ourselves to be, and no matter how we judge our own actions and intentions, the simple fact of the matter is that we’re guilty. We have sinned against God. And, because of our sin, we deserve only the judgment of God.



If we depend upon ourselves, if we place our trust in ourselves, we are lost. We are lost because nothing we do can erase our guilt or atone for our wrongdoing. And, for this reason, we’ll suffer the wrath of God.



The good news is that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. He’s done so by becoming a curse. He’s done so by giving his life for us upon the cross.



In this way, God’s blessing has come to all people. It can be received by all people. And the way that we receive it is through faith.



Our confidence, our assurance, cannot be found in ourselves. It can be found only in Christ. It’s only as we look to him in faith, it’s only as we trust in his work upon the cross, that we are saved.