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We have no absolute assurance of pardon.

2 Tim. 1: 12: For I know whom I have believed, and an persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

 

We need more assurance than just through keeping Christ's commands.

I John 2: 3: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments,"

 

We need more than the keeping of Christ's word to know that we are in him.

John 2: 5: "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: here by know we that we are in him."

 

We need more than faith in God's word to assure us of pardon.

Heb. 10: 22: "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water-"

 

 Our "full assurance" depends upon our feelings.

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Heb. 6:11 "And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end."

 

We have full assurance of faith--Heb.10:22.

We have full assurance of understanding--Col. 2:2.

Nowhere are "feelings" made the standard of assurance.

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It is wise to compare our feelings and experiences at testimony meetings to prove we are saved.

2 Cor. 10 12: "We dare not make ourselves o the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves among themselves are not wise."

 

 

A way that seems right must be right.

Prov. 4: 12: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

 

 

He that trusts in his own heart is wise.

Prov. 28:26: "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool,"

 

 

Whoso walketh sincerely (though he be mistaken) shall he rewarded.

Prov. 28: 26: "Whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered."

 

 

Men's hearts never deceive them.

Jet. 17; 9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

 

 

 
Our conscience is infallible, hence a safe guide.

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I Tim. 4:2: "Having their conscience seared

with a hot iron."

NOTE:

Saul of Tarsus had done many things

contrary to the teaching of Christ,

yet with a good conscience.

 

 

 
I felt I was saved before I was baptized.

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Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

 

 

I felt I had put on Christ before I was baptized.

Col. 3:27: "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

 

 

I felt I ought to be sprinkled in baptism.

Col. 2:12: "Buried with him in baptism."

 

 

 My heart told me to find a denomination that suited me and join it.

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Acts 2:47: "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

NOTE,

You may join the denominations of men but the only way to get into the Lord's church is to be "added" by the Lord.

 

 

 
Paul thought he ought not to do anything contrary to the name of Jesus.

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Acts 26:9: "1 verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

 

 

Murderers of martyrs knew they were doing the devil's service.

John 16:2: "Yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth

God service."

 

 

We walk by sight (senses, feelings).

2 Cor. 5:7: "We walk by faith, not by sight."

 

 

If a way seemeth right unto man, he need

have no fear; it will always lead to life.

Prov. 14:12: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end whereof are

the ways of death."

 

 

Just so I am pleased, God will be satisfied.

Rom. 15:3: "Even Christ pleased not him self; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."

 

 

"I verily thought with myself":

 

1.   That I ought to "get saved" at a mourner's bench and select a denomination to join before I was baptized.

2. That I ought to play as well as sing in worship.

3. That there was no harm in a few worldly, sensual pleasures, for, after all, one must have some diversion to employ one's idle hours.

4. That it made no difference what church I "joined".

5. That the Lord would excuse my absence from the assembly.

6. That it didn't make any difference how much I gave.

7. That I should have many more opportunities to obey the gospel.

If you think you are right, you are right.

Acts 26:9: "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth."

 

 

 
Our "full assurance" depends upon our feelings.

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Such teaching...
1. the blind to follow the blind into the ditch.--Matt. 15:14.

2. men to follow their own thoughts instead of God's thoughts.-- Isa. 55: 8-9.

3. men to trust in their own hearts, and thus be fools.--Prov. 28:26.

4. the conscience the judge instead of making it the accusing or excusing witness.--Rom. 2:15.

5. our heart's testimony greater than God's testimony.--I John 3:20.

6. "experience meetings" standards of righteousness.--2 Cor. 10:12.

7. God's word merely incidental as a witness of right and wrong.-- Judges 17:6.

8. the unrevealed things belong to us through our heart's direct communication with God. 29:29.

9. dreams equal to the word of God: makes chaff equal to wheat-- Jer. 23:28.

10. that what is right in our own eyes will be right in God's eyes.-- Prov. 12:15.

11. sight over faith, and feelings over facts.--2 Cor. 5:7.

12. men preach the word by feelings rather than the "word of faith."-- Rom. 10:8.

13. access by feeling rather than "access by faith". Rom. 5:2.

14. men believe they are saved because they are happy, rather than making them believe they are happy because they are saved.--Heb. 10:22.