Recently a Bible believing born again Christian was telling me they were having doubts about their salvation. I had to tell them that I’ve had doubts as well; in fact, every Christian does at times, because of our remaining sin -- and the corruption of unbelief that’s part of that.
The important thing is…what do we do with our doubts? Doubts come down to one thing: sin. What do we do with sin?
As Christians, when we sin as sometimes we foolishly do, we go to Christ and confess it as sin (1 John 1:9). We don’t hide or make excuses for our sin; rather, we flee to the One who died to take our sin away and seek his forgiveness! We should do the same with our “doubts” or, perhaps we would be far better to say, we should do the same with our “sin of doubt”.
Remember the Devil ALWAYS seeks to sow seeds of doubt about ANYTHING that God has said (see Genesis 3:1). The Devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). We also have the flesh and the world to deal with. We’re in a real battle, every day. Praise be to God though that “we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). By His grace, and in utter dependence upon the Lord, we're to continually look to HIM!
God is true and what He says is Truth (Jeremiah 10:10, John 3:33, John 17:3, 1 John 5:20). It follows, of course, that His Word (i.e. what He says) is also truth (John 17:17) and thus faith comes by hearing and hearing by God’s Word (Romans 10:17). In humble dependence upon Him by His grace, cleave to God and believe what God has said. Trust alone in Him come what may -- or whatever feelings may assert against what is true -- in short, replace ANY doubts IMMEDIATELY with what is TRUE (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Be vigilant. Be ready. Have your sword always ready – and use it often (Matthew 4:3-11 and Ephesians 6:10-18).
Why doubt this, O my trembling heart?
If what the Scriptures promise clearly
Is true and firm in ev'ry part,
This also must be truth divine:
By grace a crown of life is mine.
By grace alone shall I inherit
That blissful home beyond the skies.
Works count for naught, the Lord incarnate
Hath won for me the heav'nly prize.
Salvation by his death he wrought,
His grace alone my pardon bought.
By grace! These precious words remember
When sorely by thy sins oppressed,
When Satan comes to vex thy spirit,
When troubled conscience sighs for rest;
What reason cannot comprehend,
God doth to thee by grace extend.
By grace! Be this in death my comfort;
Despite my fears, 'tis well with me.
I know my sin in all its greatness,
But also him who sets me free.
My heart to naught but joy gives place
Since I am saved by grace, by grace.
- Christian Scheidt, 1742
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest upon unchanging grace;
In ev'ry rough and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, his covenant, his blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When I shall launch in worlds unseen,
O may I then be found in him;
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
- Edward Mote, 1834
If you have trusted in Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you can confidently know and say that the living Lord God is emphatically the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He loves you from all eternity -- and holds you securely (John 10: 29).
Be gone sin of unbelief! Look to Him today and rejoice in what He has done, not in what you think He may not have done.
