THE CHILDREN'S FULL ASSURANCE

Paul's second letter to Timothy was sent at a time when the enemies of the Christian testimony were increasing. Some of these were confessed unbelievers, others pretended to be followers of Jesus but were actually unconverted persons. Timothy himself was by this time no longer a youth but amidst all the dangers he had been "fully persuaded". You will remember reading that as a child he had known the sacred letters and through them had become wise unto salvation. It cannot be too plainly said that children should be "fully persuaded" of the glad tidings which God gives faith to believe. No child should be content with just knowing about these wonderful things.

In connection with holy matters it is interesting that Paul, in writing to believers in Colosse, desired that they should have the full assurance of understanding. In that place a special danger amongst Christians was that they might listen to clever persons who sought to teach their own ideas instead of, or in addition to, God's revealed truth. Whatever these ideas may have been in detail they were not according to Christ. It was 'philosophy' or love of mental knowledge. To protect themselves and be useful as witnesses for Jesus the saints must keep assured in the faith of what God was making known of His mind especially through His servant Paul. In the Scriptures we now have all needed God-given teaching and have the Holy Spirit who enables us to be assured of it.

In the epistle to the Hebrews we are told of the full assurance of hope and the full assurance of faith. We often speak in a casual way of hoping for something which we are by no means certain of getting! But in Scripture the word 'hope' is used for an expectation that is sure and certain although its realisation is still future. Such is the coming of the Lord. Hope is likened to a ship's anchor which holds it steady in storm and calm. The anchor of our hope is both "secure and firm". It is secure because it is real to us or of 'good material', and it is firm because of the One in whom it is, as it were a 'good sea-bed'.

The full assurance of faith is connected in the scripture with our communion with God as made known in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. This communion is largely in our prayers, and when we enjoy God's presence for His own sake it is greater than being able to ask for things. Do you ask the Father to confide His precious thoughts to you?

J.C.Evershed