1 John 5:11-13. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Many believers live with incorrect assurance or no assurance at all. They draw assurance from their own thoughts and standards. They seek assurance from others and the world.
But the assurance based on anything other than the One who gives the ultimate assurance leads to confusion and insecurity. To seek assurance, people devote their lives to foolish things such as religion, legalism, and upright living because they do not have assurance from God Himself.
As a result, they become an easy target of the devil: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7-8).
Without being assured of God’s perfect love, they get overtaken by fear of punishment: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Why then do they go on living without this assurance?
First, many believers do not know the new life of the saved. A person who has been saved has become a child of God. How? by accepting and believing Jesus as Savior and Lord: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
In that person lives Jesus guarding and leading their lives: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).
The Holy Spirit lives within them regardless of their status and ability (1 Corinthians 3:16). Nothing can destroy them. Nothing can change their identity as children of God: “Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). This is true life (Romans 8:2).
Many believers are also ignorant of the condition of unbelievers. Because the unbelievers do not have the Son of God, they do not have life (1 John 5:11-12). They remain in the same condition as Adam and Eve, who have fallen and been separated from life.
Satan controls their spirits (John 8:44, Acts 10:38). They may acquire much but cannot find peace (Matthew 11:28-29). They may achieve success, but troubles never cease (Matthew 12:25). Their bodies are controlled and led by Satan without even knowing it (Ephesians 2:2-3). They are bound to face various issues with their bodies and physical problems (Acts 8:4-8). They will also have troubles in their hearts and minds (Acts 16:16-18). They are destined to eternal condemnation in hell (Luke 16:19-31).
In addition, many believers do not know the blessings of the saved. The saved children of God have been completely free from the curse and condemnation caused by sin (Ephesians 2:1), including original sin, sins of their fathers, and the actual sins motivated by their sinful nature that came from original sin.
Thus, we must remember the most powerful testimony: “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12). We have been immediately set free from the burdens of the world and the power of Satan (Ephesians 2:2). We have been eternally set free from the background of hell (Ephesians 2:6). And we will leave our testimonies for generations to come (Ephesians 2:7).
Some believers do not know the privileges of the saved (Matthew 16:13-20). The privilege of proclaiming the gospel is given only to those who believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus promised to make us as firm as a rock and establish His church on the foundation of our confession.
The privilege of overcoming the power of Satan is given only to those who are born of God. Thus, we must be ready for our spiritual battle against the enemy and stand our ground until the end (1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7). God will soon crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).
The privilege of answered prayer is given only to the saints. The answers to the prayer of the unsaved come from Satan’s limited power under God’s permissive will: “The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster” (Proverbs 16:4).
Therefore, we must use the keys Jesus promised: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). Your prayer can move the throne of heaven. That is one of the greatest privileges God has given to you.
Finally, many believers do not know the way of life of the saved. The children of God must be led by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27). To that end, cast off all your anxiety because God cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Stop trusting yourself. Start trusting the One who loved you and died for you.
Only then can you be perfectly led by the Holy Spirit as Paul confessed: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Get rid of any hidden motives. These motives may bring temporary success but will eventually bring failures because the Spirit of God cannot be deceived. Disasters came upon Ananias and Sapphira when they tried to “lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:1-10).
If you desire to be led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ must be the center of your life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Prayer must be the highest priority in your daily life (Acts 16:13,16). And your life itself must be a proclamation of the gospel (Acts 1:8). Let the Holy Spirit take care of your long-standing problems.
Now that you are saved, declare daily: “I am a child of God, and I possess eternal life.” Do not doubt when you pray: “God hears and answers my prayer when I pray in Jesus’ name.”
Do not be shaken by unexpected trials and temptations by declaring: “I know my True King Jesus overcame the world and now lives in me. I will come out as a victor in all circumstances.”
When the devil tries to trap you with guilt and shame, boldly rebuke him: “I know my True Priest Jesus died on the cross, crushing the power of curses of sin over my family line, and now He lives in me. I declare freedom from the law of sin and death.”
And press on with the ultimate promise of your True Prophet Jesus: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Prayer. Father, I thank You for the assurance You have given me through the Word. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may stand firm on Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.