Doubt

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’  Matthew 7:21-23


This passage haunts me.  I think these verse keep many Christians up at night.  According to a study by Newsweek magazine, 81% of Americans say that they are Christians.  Clearly, this isn't the case.  So "many" of these professing Christians will stand before Christ and He will tell them He never knew them.  


In light of these words of Jesus, I sometimes struggle with doubts.  Do I really know Him?  Am I saved?  God doesn't want me to doubt.  It is his intent that I would have certainty and an assurance of my salvation and relationship with Him.


The entire book of 1 John was written to new Christians who struggled with these same thoughts.  The whole point of the letter was to give these believers assurance and to get rid of their doubt.  


I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.  1 John 5:13


What it really comes down to is the question of: "Have I been adopted by God the Father?"  To give an illustration of a literal adoption, imagine a child who has been taken out of poverty and hopelessness and given hope, a future, and love from a caring and loving father.  What does the child do in return?  Love the father, and spend time with him.  The same is true for us with God.  If we have been adopted by God and have been saved, we will love Him, care about what he cares about, and spend time with him.


The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear (or doubt) again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Romans 8:15-16


But adopted children don't always behave.  We sometimes go through a season of struggles and pruning.  When we struggle with a certain sin or hit a rough patch with our relationship with the Father, the doubts come.  


How I behave doesn't affect whether or not I am adopted by the Father.  Once he adopts me, I'm His forever.  When I hit a rough patch, the last thing I should do is look inward at myself.  This will only produce doubts because I'm not "performing" or "doing well".


I have been adopted by God because of Christ's performance, not my own.  When the doubts come, run to the cross and remember Who is in charge of our salvation.


"True faith takes its character and quality from its object and not from itself.  Faith gets a man out of himself and into Christ.  Its strength therefore depends on the character of Christ."  -Sinclair Ferguson


“Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace.”  -Jerry Bridges




In light of this post, I have really struggled with sin today.  I have not denied myself, and have fed my selfish desires.  The Gospel always points me to the love of the Father and His saving grace.  This post is mostly for me, to remind me of the "Author and perfecter of my faith".