Why Do I not have Full Assurance?

A couple of weeks ago, we thought about conviction and what it does for us. We imagined having a faith that was totally convicted and what that would do for us. It will cause us to act in ways that move us closer to God. Then, it will give us the ability to state that assurance.

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to him until that day.” (II Timothy 1:12)

“I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of rightousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to those who have loved His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:7-8)

And then there is that verse that causes us a bit of grief. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:13)

So, why is it so difficult to get to this point? Why does it seem that I am never quite able to reach the level of assurance that John called his readers to have? What keeps holding me back?

Here are some ideas that can drain our assurance. I am not fully assured because I know fully my past. I am a sinner. Not only is that true because I have been there, but God said everyone does that (Romans 3:23). It is not easy to have spiritual confidence when I know everything bad thing I have ever done. How can I be assured?

I am not fully assured because I don’t know fully what I want (and think I need) to know. I just don’t enough. I have studied for all these years and there are still questions that I cannot answer. If I can’t answer all my questions, can I really answer the question whether I am assured of my salvation?

I am not fully assured because I don’t really trust God fully. That sounds bad but it may be true. I want to turn over everything to Him. I want to get out of the way and let Him guide the ship. But, it is not easy. If I can’t do this, how can I be assured?

I now I have faulty reasoning that leads to me to think that if I don’t know fully, then I think I can’t commit fully. But, God never has expected me to know fully (Deuteronomy 29:29). So, the key seems to be for me to learn to trust fully what I know and accept fully what I do not know fully. That is tough! But, that is the key!

— Mike Johnson