August 13

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. — Rom 8:16 BSB

You might not often experience a strong or clear assurance of your place in Christ; you might frequently wrestle with doubts about whether you are truly a child of God. Yet, there may have been times when you’ve had a sweet assurance that God’s grace is truly at work in your heart. Perhaps you’ve listened to sermons where God’s servants described feelings and experiences that matched what you’ve gone through, bringing forward evidence of grace that convinced you—despite your doubts—that you were a child of God. In those moments, as your heart was softened and moved, you couldn’t help but lift up your soul in praise to the God of all mercies. Though you may sink back into doubt afterward, while that heavenly feeling lasted, you had a testimony in your conscience that you belonged to God, and you could believe, in that moment, that He was your Father and friend.

This text isn’t here to cut off those who haven’t reached the full assurance of faith. It doesn’t say that everyone who can’t boldly declare that the Spirit bears witness with their spirit is cut off and destined for eternal separation. Instead, it opens its arms to anyone who has ever experienced any degree of deliverance, spiritual comfort, or assurance of being accepted in Christ. It doesn’t come as a sword to condemn those who lack full assurance but have felt the power of truth in their hearts. Rather, it invites such people to press on, to seek more and more of that inward witness, which can cheer them in dark times, support them on their deathbeds, and carry them through the valley of the shadow of death without fear or doubt.