Today’s Scripture: John 6:37
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
We need the inner witness of the Spirit, not only at the time we come to Christ, but throughout our Christian lives, especially in times of severe temptation and failure. Once I was on my way to speak at a conference on the pursuit of holiness. The trip itself had been one of those stressful experiences when I did not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, and peace to airline personnel. I felt like an utter failure (which was true). How could I possibly speak to others about pursuing holiness when I had been so unholy myself?
Arriving at my hotel room late at night, I opened my Bible to try to find some encouragement. Soon I came to a short phrase in Colossians 2:13: “he forgave us all our sins” (NIV). My heart was flooded with joy. The Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins of that very day were forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ. I was emboldened with courage to speak at that conference, not because I was good enough, but because the Holy Spirit bore witness with my spirit that my sins were forgiven.
Once in a while I get discouraged about my Christian life when God gives me a glimpse of the sinfulness in my heart. At those times I’m tempted to ask, “am I really a Christian?” When those rare occasions do occur, I go back to these promises, especially John 6:37. I know that I have come to Jesus and that he has promised me that he will not drive me away. Thus I regain and strengthen my assurance. We have to let the promises of God drive away our doubts. (Excerpt taken from The Gospel for Real Life)