The Roots of Insecurity (Part 1)
By John Woodward
June 7, 2007

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One of the important foundations for a healthy, vital Christian life is
the assurance of your salvation. It is nearly impossible to have Christ
as the center of your life if you're not sure He is in your life as
personal Savior (John 1:12).

Many believers who struggle with uncertainty regarding their standing
with God could progress to assurance if they could discern the causes
of their insecurity. Let's consider some common factors that may hinder
a true believer's sense of assurance.

1. Feeling unsaved
Sometimes the nature of the believer's insecurity is more of an
emotional issue than a doctrinal or spiritual one. In other words,
there is a difference between feeling unsaved and doubting God's
promises of redemption.

For example, when a person is raised in an atmosphere of
performance-based acceptance or blatant rejection, this causes
emotional damage in childhood. Although parental love should be an
expression and symbol of the Heavenly Father's love and faithfulness,
this family love is often lacking or not expressed meaningfully.

Therefore, when the rejected person becomes born again through faith in
Christ, he/she may lack the emotional confirmation that they are truly
accepted by the ultimate Parent--God.

In a counseling session, Dr. Charles Solomon had a veteran missionary
come for help because she suffered from a chronic lack of assurance.
This sister had an obvious Christian testimony, a strong grasp of
Scriptural promises, had led many to Christ, and appreciated the
doctrines of grace. In light of her background and rejection patterns
growing up, Solomon challenged her to consider that she did not doubt
her salvation; instead, she felt unsaved. When she distinguished the
emotional component from her spiritual condition, she was enabled to
understand and eventually resolve this uncertainty.

The apostle John affirmed, "For if our heart condemns us, God is
greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart
does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God" (1 John 3:20,21).

Emotional healing comes as we experience divine and human love and
acceptance over time. God's assurance to His prophet applies to each
one of His children: "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: 'Yes,
I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with
lovingkindness I have drawn you'" (Jeremiah 31:3).

Biblical faith is not based on feelings--whether positive or
negative--so we should recognize the possibility of emotional
resistance to feeling saved. In spite of misleading emotions, the
believer can have confidence that salvation in Christ has been received
and will be kept by God. Paul's assurance rose above circumstances and
distractions: "For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless
I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that
He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2
Timothy 1:12).

~~~~~~~~

For further information on the effects of a lack of meaningful love,
see Charles Solomon, The Ins and Out of Rejection (Sevierville, TN:
Solomon Publications). This is available through GFI (the sponsor of
Grace Notes).

Related Grace Notes: Correcting Your Conception of God, Your Palette of
Emotions, and How to Gain True Assurance.

Copyright 2007 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint for
non-commercial use. Scripture quotations are from the New King James
Version, Copyright by Thomas Nelson.


__________________________________________________ ____________________

Grace Notebook
Visit us at www.gracenotebook.com

Thank you so much for this post, Sally's Mom. While I was reading it, I recognized right away what it is that you are talking about. I often joke with friends that you may just need to be SAVED one time in your life, but you have to be saved over and over again.

a pastor in London once told me to remember that "Faith looking at Fact reassures Feeling"

so true!!

thanks for posting that article Judy......good food for the spirit there

I like your Fact quote.

I find much of my thinking revolves around Romans Chapter 6. I think a lot about words like KNOW and KNOWING (6:3 - 6:9). And what it is that Paul wants me to KNOW, KNOW. Then I think about the meaning of RECKON or COUNT in 6:11. We are to look back at the FACT of our co-crucifixion and co-resurrection and how it is FACT that Christians are a completely new creation. Feelings may come later.

But lately I am thinking about Romans 6:13 where it uses the words YIELD (KJ) or PRESENT (NKJ, et. al). What are we to present? Everything! Our spirits, bodies and our soul which would include our mind, will and emotions. For me, I have had to learn to cry out and emote to God as I yield my emotions to him. This would include our sorrows, grief, anger, hurts, burdens. This would also include our imaginations. Sometimes, I imagine myself thinking of "You are my hiding place" and it is almost like God is inside me somewhere and hey HE is, right? Here is an illustration that I think helps me understand. Have you seen the movie Martin Luther produced fairly recently? Do you remember where Martin Luther would lay flat on the ground extending his body out and crying out to God, "save me." He wasn't refering to being born again but referring to God saving him from being tormented. What an illustration of yielding our body and soul and imagination to Him. I have even found it beneficial sometimes to duplicate Luther's practice except I usually say something like "God save me from _________ ." Then I put in that blank what is tormenting me, like "save me from depression" for example. Or "save me from bitterness" or whatever.

I do know that I cannot live the Christian life IN MY OWN STRENGTH. I find it best to think of yielding and depending on Christ as a 24 hour practice each day.

David

Hi Idealist,

While I first I disagreed with this, I think I know where you are coming from. See David's post about asking God to save him from Depression, etc ...........fill in the blanks.

Although salvation from our sins and getting to go to heaven because of what Jesus did on the cross is a one time thing, living the Christian life is an ongoing process. Becoming a Christian does not mean that all of our problems are going to be gone. Instead, God gives us himself. As we allow Jesus to live in us and through us, we can live the Christian life. We can't do it in the flesh and in our own power.

Thank you for your comments. I am going to post part 2 and then we can all discuss it further.

Judy

David,

Thanks for your post. As you will notice I just replied to Idealist who said that we need to be saved over and over. Although some people believe we CAN lose our salvation, I don't think this is the case. God is able to keep us. Why? Because when we are born again, we cannot be unborn.

However what you said about being saved from certain things, like depression, - in my case anxiety, bitterness, or certain habits that we can all identify with, was very powerful. Everyone needs to be saved from some behavior that gets in their way of an abundant life. Learning to Yield to God is an ongoing process.
See Romans 12:1

Do we do this by "just trying harder"? No, that would be legalism. Part 2 is on that very thing. Legalism would be trying to be kept saved by keeping the law. We didn't get saved by keeping the law, did we?

Lets see what it has to say.......

Judy

The Roots of Insecurity (Part 2)
By John Woodward
June 14, 2007

2. Legalism

"Legalism" involves legislating ideal behaviors, trying to gain
practical righteousness by self-effort, and focusing on externals more
than the heart motives. The Galatian church fell into this trap due to
false teachers: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you
should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly
portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you:
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing
of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now
being made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:1-3). These believers had
been saved by grace through faith, but later had been duped into trying
to complete their salvation by attempting to keep the law of Moses.

They were also seeking to grow spiritually by trying to keep external
standards in their own strength. Their view of Christian living needed
a grace awakening. The apostle affirmed, "For we through the Spirit
eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ
Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but
faith working through love" (Gal 5:5,6).

Whether obvious or subtle, legalism can become a root of insecurity. To
the extent that disciples "keep the rules" they will be tempted to have
pride and make comparisons. Or, if they fail to live up to these rules,
they will be burdened by guilt and condemnation. This feeling of
estrangement from God raises questions as to whether the disciple is
really saved after all. "If I were truly saved, wouldn't I be more
obedient? More consistent? More victorious?"

The most comprehensive description of the legalist's inner struggle is
found in the seventh chapter of Romans. Although space prevents a
detailed exposition of the chapter, some essential observations help to
navigate this passage. Remember that Romans chapter 5 explains the
nature of justification by faith and chapter six teaches identification
with Christ by faith.[1] However, before a fuller statement of the
victory of faith through the Spirit-filled life (chapter 8 Paul is
guided to convey the frustration all believers have experienced: "For
what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do
not practice; but what I hate, that I do" (Rom. 7:15).

Paul speaks of an earlier time in his life as a present conviction.[2]
To the extent that a Christian lives according the the flesh, he/she
will find themselves feeling that "... I am carnal, sold under sin"
(Rom. 7:14b). This condition is intensified when a believer tries to
live a holy life by means of external standards in his/her own
strength. This legalistic paradox drags the frustrated Christian to the
point of despair and misery: "O wretched man that I am! Who will
deliver me from this body of death?" (Rom 7:24).

Thankfully, the way of deliverance is explained in the passages
surrounding this 'page from Paul's journal.' Those who are in Christ
are totally forgiven and justified! "Therefore, having been justified
by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ ...
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus
..." (Rom. 5:1; 8:1). From this assured standing the disciple is to
walk according to the Spirit and live out of his/her union with Christ
by grace through faith! We have been freed from sin's authority through
our union with Christ: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2.

Therefore, if you have been burdened by the weight of legalism, realize
that this is no proof that you're unsaved. Rather, the law has
magnified the sinful tendencies of your flesh: "For I know that in me
(that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells ..." (Rom 7:18a). The flesh,
however, is distinct from your new human spirit where you are unified
with Christ.[3]

Here is a testimony of your innermost desires if you are born again:
"For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man" (Rom.
7:22). In the Grace Economy assurance is not as license to sin, but an
incentive to respond in loving gratitude to God. Motivated from this
secure relationship, "His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John
5:3b). "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under
law but under grace" (Rom. 6:14).

So instead of maintaining a holding pattern of insecurity and doubt due
to legalism and guilt, base your assurance on God's promises and move
ahead by walking in the Holy Spirit's fellowship and power.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[1] For an exposition of the chapters of Romans see Robert Jones' The
Gospel for the Believer at
http://gracenotebook.biblemessages.com/pg/10

[2] This struggle was probably part of his three year sabbatical in
Arabia after his conversion (Gal. 1:17). Paul's testimony as a
Spirit-filled apostle is that he lived an exemplary life with a clear
conscience (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Acts 23:1; 2 Tim. 1:3).

[3] Technically, the flesh is not a co-equal "nature," but the body and
soul's residual patterns and tendencies from "the old man." The flesh
is IN you, but it's not YOU. This is not hair splitting but dynamically
important, since Paul went on to declare, "Now if I do what I will not
to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me" (Rom.
7:20). This doesn't excuse the believer from personal responsibility.
Rather, this distinction reveals the true source of spiritual
opposition--the Sin principle (Rom 7:17). This principle results from
the world/flesh/devil influence that opposes the Holy Spirit's purpose
for your life. Thankfully, in Christ you have been set free from the
law of sin and death through the resources of the abundant life--Christ
in you, the hope of glory (Rom. 8:2; Col. 1:27). The "old man" was
co-crucified with Christ (Rom. 6:6) and is no longer your nemesis (Col.
3:9). See GraceNotebook.com "definition of terms" and David Needham's
analysis of the differences between the "old man" and the "flesh":
http://gracenotebook.biblemessages.com/pub/363

For further study on the dispensations of law and grace, see
http://www.Gracenotebook.com/law_vs_grace.htm

Copyright 2007 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint for
non-commercial use. Scripture quotations are from the New King James
Version, Copyright by Thomas Nelson.

SallysMom,

I've enjoyed your two Woodward article, part of article 2 is above.

The articles remind me of how another author compares the Christian life to various forks in the road. The first fork is the Salvation Fork, where unbelievers refuse to accept God's gift of salvation and others accept His gift and go on down the Salvation Road. Then, the next fork is the Assurance Fork where those who have been saved come to KNOW the assurance of their salvation, while others continue to struggle in salvation uncertainty and performance based salvation like this article (1) talked about. Then there is another fork. Lot's of people are convinced and assured that they are saved, but then take the Law Road of living the Christian life. They think that living life by trying harder is the way to go. This performance based living is really just another form of law whether we set up our own standards that we try to achieve or whether we use standards of others or even if we try to obey God's rules by determination. Any are still law living. So, at this next fork, is another road. It is a Grace Road where instead of trying, we are trusting. That is we are trusting moment by moment to allow Christ to live His life through us. We don't have to concentrate on rules but instead on a relationship and as we do that we will find the power of grace and will see that our "have to's" change to "want to's." If we understand out identity in Christ combined with a proper understanding of Grace, then we find the fruits of Christ living His life through us.

In summary, fork #1 is salvation. Fork #2 is assurance and fork #3 is Grace (not law).

Make any sense?

David

Good comments, David. I just want to emphasis one phrase

The grace road is when instead of trying we are trusting......

Most of us at one time or the other spin our wheels as we try to live the Christian life, or live up to someone else's or even or own expectations, but the Christian life is lived, by allowing Christ to live it through us. We have to trust him to do that. How? Just let go and let Him do it, and he does.

Judy