American Assurance & True Assurance

There is nothing better in this world than to be able to rejoice in God as your God and to know His love and favor. As we contemplate the wonder of Jesus Christ as our salvation, it leads us to "joy inexpressible" (1 Peter 1:8).

Sadly, I think that many today have confused our general American prosperity with the true assurance and joy that God gives to believers. In the recent Modern Reformation, Bishop William Willimon states, “In my experience, people on top, people in positions of economic power, always feel good about themselves and their world." I think this is a big part of our confusion about assurance. We think that because we have food, clothes, and shelter in relative abundance, we are fine with the Lord. This may be more or less blatant in particular individuals, but I think this is generally true. I have met very few people who were actually struggling with assurance.

This sort of assurance is dangerous. It is in reality generally a presumption. It makes us think that we are right with the Lord when we may not be. Such a mistake is deadly and eternally destructive.

How, then, can we distinguish true assurance from "American assurance"? I think that in reality it's quite simple. True assurance does not lead us simply to follow the way of the world. I've met many people who claim to be sure that they are saved and accepted by God but yet who do not seek the Lord, make no effort to know Him or seek His commands, and hardly have any interest in the Church.

For many of us, this sort of assurance and confidence might not be so blatant. We may think that we have spiritual joy when in reality it is simply the same worldly joy that unbelievers have that is a result of some good thing other than salvation. I think there is a simple test. Does that joy lead you to seek the Lord? Does that joy lead you to a greater desire to fellowship with Him? Does that joy lead you to desire heavenly things? If not, then it is probably not a true assurance and rejoicing in God.

And so what is this assurance? It is a true joy and confidence that we are accepted by God in Christ and are in God's favor. It works within us an inexpressible joy and causes us to desire to be with the Lord, fellowship with Him, and avoid that which would dim that joy (namely, sin and immoderate use of the world).

We can see that this is the case when we just consider an earthly analogy. If we experience joy in something, like a restaurant, it makes us want to go to that restaurant. We don't say, "That's a great restaurant, I never want to go there again." If we experience a delight and joy in someone, we want to be with them. We don't say, "I really enjoy my friend, and so I never want to see him again." So, it is with the Lord. If we have truly experienced the joy, delight, and acceptance of God, it leads us to want more.

How can we engender this assurance? First, we cannot have it unless we are actually converted and justified in Christ. Obviously, no one who is not accepted before God can rejoice in that acceptance.

Second, we should avoid those things that would dim that joy. This means both sin itself and immoderate use of the things of the world. An overindulgence in the things of the world will make us spiritually lethargic just as overeating will make us physically lethargic.

Third, we should meditate on Christ's atonement. This is the only ground for our hope. God forbid that we should boast in anything except the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14).

Fourth, we need to draw near to God. Many have not experienced the assurance and joy that they should because they have never really sought it. We must taste and see that the Lord is God.

This joy and assurance is a joy that is inexpressible. Rejoicing in God is unlike anything else in the world. We must seek it a unique way. The more we experience it, the more we will desire it. The more we desire it and seek it, the more God will give it.