The Lodestar

The conviction of being justified and reconciled with God influences all aspects of a Christian's life. Apostle John was confident that his testimony about Jesus was accurate and reliable, coming from his personal experience. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life” (1 John 1:1). John was very thrilled by the fact that God loved us so much to make us his children. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1).

The fact of salvation and the assurance of being saved are crucial for any follower of Christ. Sometimes, the Devil, also known as the accuser (Revelation 12:10), makes us doubt whether we are truly saved. When we sin advertently or inadvertently or face the same temptations repeatedly, the Devil could use our conscience to condemn us and make us doubt if we are saved.

We should recognise that God is greater than our conscience; his word, that he has made us his children, stands if we want to remain in that relationship. Conscience could mislead us; though helpful, its voice is not always reliable.

This is not to suggest that we should ignore the voice of our conscience, but to remind us that we should trust God rather than our conscience when we doubt our salvation. When guilt and shame condemn our hearts, we should rely on the Lord’s forgiving grace, who knows our hearts.

Are you struggling with doubt about your salvation or battling feelings of guilt and condemnation? Remember, God’s assurance of being his child is firm and unchanging. Take a moment today to reaffirm your identity in Christ by reflecting on 1 John 3:1 and embracing his grace. Don’t let your conscience or the accuser shake your confidence—trust in God’s love and forgiveness.

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