Full Assurance

GOD’S PROMISED REWARD to loyal Christians as a result of Jesus Christ’s high priestly ministry is absolute and unchangeable. Those who inherit it do so because of their implicit faith and patient endurance, even unto death. As devoted believers, we should follow the example of those who have emulated those qualities.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”—Heb. 6:10-12

When God made a promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, “Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. … God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath.” The apostle here is not discussing the covenant, but is merely citing the illustration of Abraham’s faith in God’s promises and patiently waiting for their fulfillment as being essential to actually having them become a personal possession. Men accept human oaths as proof the words spoken to them are trustworthy, but God demonstrated his unchangeable nature as he confirmed it by his oath. What could be more definitive than that?—vss. 13-17

Our Key Verses reveal that an abundant assurance of God’s loving purpose toward his people is fully in keeping with his grace and mercy. He did not need to confirm the covenant with his oath, for no one would ever have reason to doubt his word. Later, one of the requirements of the Law was that important matters should be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses, and God was willing to conform to this principle. His word was immutable and his oath was immutable, so by these “two immutable things,” he has given us “strong consolation,” who have laid hold of the hope set before us of being heirs of the covenant made with Abraham.—vs. 18

As in all the other provisions of divine grace, it is necessary, not only to maintain a heart condition through which God can fulfill his promises to us, but also to earnestly long for these blessings which he has promised. Additionally, God made the receiving of heavenly wisdom dependent upon our prayers. That is why the Apostle James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” In view of all the precious promises of God which affirm his willingness to endow us with wisdom from on high, how fully justified was the apostle in his further admonition, which states, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”—James 1:5,6

Thus, by the assurances contained in the many promises of God, may our hope be as an anchor, “both sure and stedfast,” and which enters to the glories beyond the veil.