Where are you?

Do you have the facts?

Point One *The Facts: Jesus came to point us in the right direction back to God. He took care of the sin problem by paying our sin debt and rose from the grave to show us that through Him we have eternal life. These are the facts: We are eternally separated from a Holy God and from everything that is good, but Christ fulfilled the gap with His sacrifice. After knowing these facts, we have a choice. We can accept the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ and reap eternal life, or we can remain dead, eternally separated from Him. ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, John 20: 30-31, 1 John 1: 1-4)

Have you received the Faith?

Point Two * Faith: When we believe in the fact that Jesus Christ was both crucified and resurrected for our personal salvation we are given the faith to continue to believe and are sealed eternally for redemption through the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 11:1, Ephesians 2:8-10, Ephesians 1:13)

Have you accepted Christ’s forgiveness for your sins?

Point Three * Forgiveness: After believing the facts in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the gift of faith you have the assurance that all your sins are forgiven in the past, present, and future. You continue to be cleansed by acknowledgement in the work of redemption through Christ’s sacrifice at the cross.
( 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 10:16-20. John 15:3)

Do you know Jesus Christ intimately? Does He come first in your life?

Point Four *Fellowship: Believing in Christ you develop an intimate relationship with Him, knowing Him and His ways through the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you enlightening your understanding through meditating and application of the Word of God. (John 17:3, Matthew 4:4, 1 John 2:27, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 7: 22-23)

Have you made Jesus Christ your Lord?

Point Five * Followship: Now that you are in relationship with Jesus Christ, it is your desire to obey by doing His Will using the gifts of the Holy Spirit which enables you to do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you. Following Christ makes Him your lord, His disciple. (1 John 2:6, Philippians 4:13, John 12:26, John 20:28)

Are you being set-apart from the world?

Point Six * Freedom: Now that you know the TRUTH, His Holy Spirit sets you free from the desire to sin and you are no longer entangled in its deceptive net. Continuing in His Word you begin to relate to Christ who replaces your sinful desires with His righteousness.
(1John 2:1, John 8:30-36, 1 Peter 1: 2, 13-16)

Is Christ work manifested in you and through you?

Point Seven *Fruitfulness: Through oneness in fellowship with Christ Jesus you begin to take on the characteristics of His nature serving Him with a sincere heart, through following Him, allowing Him to work through you according to His will and not your own (John 15:11, Galatians 6:4, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 2:10, Acts 9:6)

Are you receiving His joy?

Point Eight * Fullness: When we are walking in close relationship with Jesus Christ in obedience, serving Him through the guidance of His Holy Spirit we are filled with His joy, peace and love. (1 John 1:4, Philippians 4: 4-7, 1 Corinthians 13)

*References: Marketplace Disciples by Pastor Dick Woodward pp. 52-57 – The Mini Bible College: published by International Cooperating Ministries
1 John 1- 2: 1-6

I have paraphrased his teachings with my own revelation of what the eight points of assurance have meant to me along with scriptures that have inspired my own understanding.

Note: Dick Woodward died this March 8th 2014. I knew him as my pastor and spiritual counselor through his teachings. He wrote the book “Marketplace Disciples” while a bedfast quadriplegic. This was the last book he wrote before going home to the Lord.

One of his quotes: “The less I can do, the more the Lord does.”