“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22
Where does assurance and confidence in coming to God come from? What is not only the basis for it, but the source of power and strength to come before Him “boldly?” One thing is certain, the confidence to draw nigh to God, in worship, to commune with Him, does NOT come from anything of the flesh, or of this world. Though in this world, the soul can find places of solitude, and quietness, in the beauty of God’s creation, there is nothing OF this world, or OF man, by which a sinner, even a saved sinner, can approach God with “full assurance of faith” other than that which has been provided BY God, and which must be embraced by faith. What then is the basis, and means by which faith can receive this power?
In the opening words of the Epistle To The Hebrews, we find the author declaring: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days, spoken to us by his Son…” (1:2) What then has God said by His Son, this One to whom the Father said: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” (v.8) He also said, “You, Lord in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” (v.10) The Father would add, “You are the same, and Your years will not fail.” (v.12) And in conclusion: “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” (v.13) The significance of the Son of God speaking must never be minimized. On the contrary, we are to give the more earnest heed to that which has been spoken.
The first thing that we need to do in our pursuit of assurance is to SEE JESUS, the One who is now crowned with glory and honor, “…that He by the grace of God, might taste death for every man.” (2:9) This Captain of Salvation through death, came to destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, “,,,to release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”(2:15) This merciful and faithful High Priest, in things pertaining to God, came to satisfy the righteousness of a Holy God with respect to sins. This Almighty God came to cause the sword of the wrath of God to be forever removed from the believer in Christ, being replaced by the peace of God in the gift of the Christ’s perfect righteousness. The willing, and accomplished sacrifice of the Son of God, has become the entire reason for which confidence before God can be known and experienced.
What are the elements of this great salvation which give assurance to the seeking soul? The first is the shed blood of Christ. Why? After Christ’s death and resurrection, He entered into the heavenly tabernacle with His own blood, proving by that, that an eternal salvation, and perfect work of redemption, had been obtained by the sacrifice of Himself before the Father. Only the declared, and believed truth, of the power of the blood of Christ which cleanses from all sin, and thus, cleanses the conscience, can provide assurance before a Holy God. The covenant in Christ’s blood is forever sealed in heaven, declared among men, and will ever remain the only basis for forgiveness of sins. It will also testify of the perfect righteousness of Christ’s life, given to every child of God, making him wholly and continually accepted to the Father.
Another element of this great salvation, and basis of assurance, is the power of the Holy Spirit. It was through the Eternal Spirit that Christ was able to offer Himself to God and accomplish His perfect work on Calvary. It is by this same indwelling Spirit of God that the believer can receive strength to believe, and to know Christ’s assurance.
Father, Fill us with assurance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.