When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath. ( Hebrews 6:17 17 Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; )

One of the greatest helps in feeling hopeful is to know God wants us to feel hopeful.

It is small comfort to believe some people are saved but not to know if we are included. My own heart has been so gladdened recently by the assurance of my own salvation that I want you all to share this with me.

First, let me recommend a book. In 1654, Thomas Brooks published Heaven on Earth. The subtitle of this 300-page book is “A Treatise on Christian Assurance.”

The statement that moved me most recently is Hebrews 6:17 17 Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; , “When God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise . . .” It hit me so powerfully. It was so fresh, so needed, so precious.

God desires to show us convincingly that his saving purposes for us are unshakable. God wants me to enjoy the security of his good plans for me.

So many religions (and even some brands of Christianity) say, “Yes, God saves people. But no, you can’t be sure if you are included. You can’t be sure your works are good enough or your faith is strong enough.” This is deadly. And it is wrong.

God has done and said so much to give his people assurance and security, it is an assault on his integrity to say that we can’t have it.

1 John 5:13: 13 These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, `even' unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God. “I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

2 Corinthians 5:1 Chapter 5 1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. , 5: “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. . . . He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

Hebrews 10:21 21 and `having' a great priest over the house of God; , 23: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith . . . . Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”

Brooks tells the story of Alexander the Great, who gave away his gold when he went on a hopeful expedition. When asked why, he said, “For the hope of greater and better things.” The same with us. If we are confident of greater and better things, we will have the freedom to live radically for Jesus.