As believers in Christ, our righteousness is not based on our own works or efforts, but on the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, and more specifically, the finished work of Christ on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 3:22, Philippians 3:9). This positional truth is the foundation of our assurance. It reminds us that our salvation is secure in Christ and that we can confidently approach God, knowing that we are accepted, loved, and blessed in Christ because He has purged our sins and presented us without a spot to God (Isaiah 61:10).

Every believer is saved whether they have the assurance that they are saved or not. Our security is not based on our assurance, but assurance comes from knowing how secure we are (Romans 5:17). So we need to grow in the knowledge of what we have in Christ and what He’s done for us. This shifts our attention off ourselves and onto Christ, and this is how the “race” is run. We set aside burdens, cares, and sins that easily entangle us and look to Jesus. We are not looking at our feet; we are looking at His face! (Heb 12:1-2)

Assurance of faith is a goal to pursue, and it brings us into a place called “rest,” which is an enjoyment of the “atmosphere of Sonship” as we learn to fully agree with the Spirit of sonship, which testifies with our spirit that we are sons and heirs, heirs of God, joint heirs of Christ (Romans 8:16-17). Again, we are not talking about “saving faith” or “if you really believed.”  We are talking about being secure in the knowledge of what is ours because we have believed. Our life becomes less and less characterized by a spirit of fear, legalism, introspection, “I wish I had” and “if only I could… and more and more full of an atmosphere of comfort that makes us approachable, because we have approached God. We live at the throne of grace, the word of grace is on our lips, and living water is pouring out to refresh others (John 7:37-69). This is the fruit of assurance. This is why Paul prayed and labored that the saints would be comforted, knit together in love, to attain all the “riches of the full assurance of understanding” that comes from acknowledging the mystery of God, which is Christ (Colossians 2:2).

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. I confess that my righteousness is not based on my own works or efforts, but on the perfect righteousness of Christ. I rejoice in the assurance that my salvation is secure in Him, and I can confidently approach Your throne of grace, knowing that I am accepted and loved because of Christ's righteousness. Help me to continually preach the gospel to myself, reminding me of this positional truth and the benefits that come from it. In Jesus' name, Amen.