Lesson 7: Christ's Resurrection Gives Assurance

Because of Jesus’ payment, God now says to every believing soul, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed you" (Isa: 44:22). And again, "I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins" (Isaiah 43:25). You may never be able to forget the years of wandering, the many sins of which you have been guilty. But that which gives peace is the knowledge that God will never recall them again. He has blotted them from the book of His remembrance, and He has done it in righteousness, for the account is completely settled. The debt is paid!

Christ's bodily resurrection is the divine proof that all has been dealt with to God's satisfaction. Jesus bore our sins on the cross. He made Himself responsible for them. He died to put them away forever. But God raised Him from the dead, thereby attesting His good pleasure in the work of His Son. Now the blessed Lord sits exalted at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens. He could not be there if our sins were still upon Him. The fact that He is there proves that they are completely put away. God is satisfied!

"Payment He will not twice demand, first at my bleeding Surety's hand, and then again at mine."

It is this that gives quietness and assurance forever. When I know that my sins have been dealt with in such a way that God's righteousness remains untarnished, even as He folds me to His bosom, a justified believer, I have perfect peace. I know Him now as "a just God and a Savior" (Isaiah 45:21). He says, "I will bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry" (Isaiah 46:13). What cheering words are these! He has provided a righteousness, His very own, for men who have none of their own! Gladly, therefore, do I spurn all attempts at self-righteousness, to be found in Him perfect and complete, clothed with His righteousness.

Every believer can say with the prophet, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).

It is given only to redeemed sinners to wear this garment of glory. Christ Himself is the robe of righteousness. We who trust Him are "in Christ"; we are "made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He is "made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). If my acceptance depended on my growth in grace I could never have settled peace. It would be egotism of the worst kind to consider myself so holy that I could be satisfactory to God on the ground of my personal experience. But when I see that "He has made us accepted in the beloved," every doubt is banished. My soul is at peace. I have quietness and assurance forever.

Thought Question:
When you consider all that Jesus did for us on the cross, and you through faith accept His finished work and resurrection, what is our most important response?
What can we do to be “more saved”?