We are the Lord's people by grace, not by law

RESUMEN: Believing in God saves us, but knowing that we are His people brings comfort and satisfaction. We should ask for full assurance of faith and focus on undeserved grace, not works of the law. Looking to Jesus will bring us salvation and security.

Being the Lord's own people is a special blessing, but knowing that we are is a comforting blessing. It is one thing to expect God to be with us, and another thing to know that He is indeed with us. Faith saves us, but security satisfies us. We take God to be our God when we believe in Him; but we reach the joy of Him when we know that it is ours and that we are His. No believer should be content with waiting and trusting, but should ask the Lord to lead him to full assurance so that matters of faith can become matters of assurance.

We come to a clear knowledge of God's favor toward us when we enjoy covenant blessings and see the Lord raised up for us as a plant of renown. We learn that we are the Lord's people by grace, not by law. Let us always turn our gaze in the direction of undeserved grace. Assurance of faith can never come from works of the law. It is an evangelical virtue, and it can only come to us in an evangelical way. Let's not look inward. Let's only look at the Lord. As we see Jesus we will see our salvation.

Lord, send us such a tide of your love that we are swept beyond the mire of doubt and fear.