Gospel Assurance

Hello Mosaic,

This week we will be hearing from Dr. Keith Lahikainen, Liberty University professor and pastoral intern, as he exposits the great promises from Romans 8:

Doubt is a natural part of life.  Our human existence is often fraught with periods of doubting the likelihood of good outcomes, the intentions of others, and even ourselves.  At times, most of us can appreciate being cautious, skeptical, or even doubtful about “worldly” things. Yet, despite these common experiences, having doubts about one’s faith or assurance of salvation can be particularly troubling.  In recent years there has been widespread popular discussion about the role of doubt in the “deconstruction” and “deconversion” movements.  Although these terms have a variety of definitions assigned to them (some positive and most more negative) each carries the connotation of doubting and/or even leaving the faith a person once held.  According to the Barna Group (an Evangelical polling firm) over 50% of U.S. Christians have experienced a prolonged period of doubt regarding their faith.  Perhaps even more alarming, the Pew Research Center states that 31% of individuals brought up in the Christian faith will leave it before the age of thirty.

Given these dire signs in our society at large, it is easy to become discouraged and lose heart. What can followers of Jesus really depend on when it comes to the issue of faith?  What assurances does the Bible give us about the fidelity of God in saving His people?  Can we as believers count on our faith to carry us to the end?  In his letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul gives his most complete exposition of the gospel.  He describes our need for forgiveness and the gift of grace through faith in the person and atoning work of Jesus Christ.  This good news is not only our hope in God’s promise for the future, but for the believer, it is already accomplished.  In chapter 8, verses 31-39, in what is often called the “Believer’s Victory,” Paul provides a stunning assurance to Jesus’ followers in Rome and to us today that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ.

Come join us this Sunday as we explore the enduring and victorious work of Jesus as described in Paul’s letter.  Learn more about the role of suffering in our faith and what it means to be more than conquerors through the One who loves us.

See you then,

Keith Lahikainen