I was greatly encouraged by this "gracEmail" from Edward Fudge:
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| Edward Fudge |
A recent email pleaded, "I have been searching for years to find some assurance of salvation. I know my weaknesses, I pray continually for forgiveness. I don't know why I'm able to tell you all of this, but I do love Christ, have been baptized, and want to go to heaven. I just want some peace in my heart."
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"Hear what God says to you and you will find comfort; trust what he says and you will have peace. We are accepted by God in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, and we know God’s evaluation of him. God forgives our sins for his own name’s sake. He rescues us to the praise of the glory of his grace. No wonder the angels are constantly telling frightened humans to “stop being afraid." I have written a detailed booklet called "Security, Warnings, and the Gospel" for people who wish to make an in-depth study. To read it, go to http://edwardfudge.com/2014/11/security-warnings-and-the-gospel/
Our salvation is all a matter of grace. It is not a matter of what we cobble together for God, not something we can either earn, merit or deserve. For that reason we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Our inheritance is reserved for us in heaven, and God is guarding us until we reach it. Our hope and trust are in God, not in ourselves. We are secure because God loves us, God is strong, and God is faithful. God who called you will finish the good work that he has started in you.
God will make you perfect in every good thing, keep you from falling, present you faultless to himself, and rejoice over you throughout eternity! May God who loved us while we were sinners and gave his Son to die so we might live, who raised him from the dead and seated him in glory at his own right hand, may he fill you with joy and peace in believing, that you may overflow in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit! Be assured! Be not afraid! Rejoice!"
To read more gracEmails by Edward Fudge, go to: http://edwardfudge.com/
