Look to Christ Colossians 2:1-5
๏ Assurance of salvation is the internal sense that one is a Christian and will persevere as a Christian until the end of their life. Look to Christ
๏ Instead of looking outward to Christ for assurance you are looking inward to yourself. And when you look inward you doubt what you see. • You see your faith as too weak • You see your sin as too great • You see your love as too small Look to Christ
Outline Look outward to Christ for assurance of salvation. ๏ The Struggle for Assurance (Colossians 2:1,4) ๏ The Substance of Assurance (Colossians 2:2-3) ๏ The Stability of Assurance (Colossians 2:5) Look to Christ
Struggle for Assurance Colossians 2:1,4 ๏ Paul reveals his heart for the Saints in Colossae and in the surrounding region. • He struggled for the Saints to grow in the gospel that produces assurance of salvation. (2:1) • He defended the Saints against false teaching that robs assurance of salvation. (2:4)
Struggle for Assurance Colossians 2:1,4 ๏ Assurance comes not from only knowing the gospel but from growing in the gospel. ๏ Assurance of salvation can be taken from a Christian but not their salvation.
“This infallible assurance [of salvation] does not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true Believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it…” ~Baptist Confession of Faith, 18.3
Substance of Assurance Colossians 2:2-3 ๏ Paul desired for the Saints to be completely assured of their salvation. • Assurance of salvation is possible. (2:2a)
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ~John 10:27–30, ESV
Substance of Assurance Colossians 2:2-3 ๏ Paul desired for the Saints to be completely assured of their salvation. • Assurance of salvation depends upon meditation on God’s truth. (2:2b)
“And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” ~Acts 16:10, ESV
Substance of Assurance Colossians 2:2-3 ๏ Paul desired for the Saints to be completely assured of their salvation. • Assurance of salvation depends upon meditation on God’s truth. (2:2b)
Substance of Assurance Colossians 2:2-3 ๏ Paul desired for the Saints to be completely assured of their salvation. • Assurance of salvation rests upon Christ. (2:2c-3)
“Thus whensoever we would go down into our own hearts, and take a view of our graces, let us be sure first to look wholly out of ourselves unto Christ, as our justification, and to close with him immediately; and this as if we had no present or by-past grace to evidence our being in him.” ~Thomas Goodwin, Christ Set Forth
Substance of Assurance Colossians 2:2-3 ๏ The character of God ๏ The promise of the gospel ๏ The death and resurrection of Christ
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:31–34, ESV
Stability of Assurance Colossians 2:5 ๏ Assurance of salvation fosters spiritual growth.
“Assurance of salvation is not essential to have faith in Christ, but it is vital for the well-being of your faith.” ~John Tweeddale, Tabletalk , July 2016
Stability of Assurance Colossians 2:5 ๏ Assurance of salvation fosters spiritual growth. ๏ Doubts of assurance help us gain a sure footing on the gospel.
“The hypocrite is never afraid that he might be a true Christian. But the Christian is afraid he might actually be a hypocrite.” Iaian Campbell, Tabletalk , July 2016
Look to Christ Colossians 2:1-5
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