Victory Through Assurance

A: It's genuinely exciting to think about someone just starting this journey, making that monumental decision to accept Jesus Christ. It's truly a life-changing moment.

B: Absolutely. And the heart behind CRC, from Senior Pastors At and Nyretta Boshoff, really resonates with that. They've fostered this incredible environment where it's truly 'one family from all walks of life'.Here at CRC, we are one family from all walks of life, and we celebrate Christ above all. We stand together, pray together and worship God together. We believe that together we can make a difference in our world. Always remember – you are now a child of God and God loves you very much. Welcome to your new family! We would really love to hear from you. Visit our website: https://crcchurch.com/. We are looking forward to seeing you back in church!

A: That's such a crucial foundation, isn't it? Because that sense of belonging makes all the difference when you're taking those first steps.

B: It really does. And the vision they've laid out, 'Building one church in many locations, nationally and internationally,' alongside that clear mandate, 'Win the lost at any cost,' it speaks to such a broad, inclusive reach.

A: It's both expansive and deeply personal. And the mission, 'Mend the nets, the catch will be great,' really frames it as a collaborative effort. For anyone wanting to connect or learn more, their website, crcchurch.com, is definitely the place to start.

A: That welcoming, that sense of being part of the family at CRC, is such a beautiful start, and indeed a crucial foundation. But for many, especially new believers, a foundational question quickly arises: how can I be truly *sure* about my salvation?

B: That's a profound point, because assurance isn't a feeling. It’s a fact. And this is where we turn to the bedrock of belief: God's written Word. Our primary scripture here is 1 John 5:11-13.

A: And it's so clear, isn't it? John writes, 'And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.' It's like a legal document.

B: Precisely. The word 'testimony' is key. It's God's declaration. And John isn't just offering a suggestion, he's explicitly stating his purpose: 'These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.' He wants us to *know*.

A: That 'know' is critical, because often the enemy whispers doubts. 'Did you really do enough? Are you truly saved?' Those whispers try to undermine the work God has done. But the Bible gives us something solid to stand on.

B: Absolutely. It's about God's 'testimony,' not our fluctuating emotions. When we understand John 1:12, that 'as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God,' or Ephesians 2:8-9, about salvation by grace through faith, it clarifies everything.

A: It really does. It isn't about our performance. Romans 10:9-10 and John 3:16 reinforce that it’s about confession and belief, a gift freely given. So, when doubt tries to creep in, we have this written authority to counter it.

B: It's not a mystery we have to guess at; it's a knowable truth. The assurance comes from accepting what God's Word says, not from trying to generate a feeling of certainty within ourselves.

A: So, if we accept what God's Word says, and understand that assurance is a knowable truth, as you just explained, what does that look like day-to-day? How does this conviction translate into victory? There's a really direct question to consider: 'If you were to die tonight, how sure are you that you would spend eternity with God? 0% or 100%?'

B: That's such a foundational question, because it moves from intellectual assent to personal reality. And when you can confidently say 100%, it changes everything. It's not just about an afterlife; it's about how you live now.

A: Exactly! It’s the source of so many other assurances. Think about answered prayer, for example. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. That confidence empowers our prayer life.

B: And then there's the assurance of victory, straight from 1 Corinthians 10:13. You're not left to fight temptations alone. There's a way out, always. And forgiveness, 1 John 1:9, always available for us. It's not a one-time deal; it's ongoing.

A: It truly transforms daily living, knowing that guidance is there too, like John 10:5 mentions, hearing His voice. So, as a next step, we'd encourage everyone to write down their personal testimony. And identify five people close to them, who aren't yet Christians, to commit to praying for.