Divine Assurance

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 11, 1865

DIVINE ASSURANCE.—"And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." 1 John v, 6. "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in himself." 1 John v, 10. "Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry 'Abba Father.'" Rom. viii, 15. "Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." 2 Cor. i, 22. "God hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." 2 Cor. v, 5. "In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance." Eph. i, 13. "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. iv, 30. "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying 'Abba Father.'" Gal. iv, 6. "And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John iii, 24. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Rom. viii, 16. Truly the Christian's assurance is a most blessed one; and well may it be termed "the full assurance of faith." The Holy Ghost is Heaven's own testifier, whose testimony forever precludes the possibility of doubt. "He shall testify of me," said Jesus. He it is that worketh in the believer the nature of Jesus, and then beareth so sweet a testimony to his blessed work. Reader, have you this divine assurance that you are a child of God?

To live in the heart of a true friend is the highest social bliss. But true friends are very rare, and as precious as they are few in number. True friendship hath its basis in a pure heart, and is rich in love to all, but especially to those who have a heart capable of perfect reciprocity. "He that will have friends, must show himself friendly." There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, who is evermore to be confided in and to secure his friendship is indeed the chief good.—Sel.