There is a lot of talk these days about Christians feeling certain that they are right with God. Everyone wants security. Some, in search of it, have asserted that when one becomes a Christian, God provides security so that he may know that he is covered and that all would be well if he were taken in a moment. Some of these folks have even said that God has a way of overlooking sins if we are generally "walking in the light."

As I said, everyone wants security, but let's not go overboard to affirm that God will forsake every guideline in the book on the question of forgiveness. For example, we must remember that God still says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Security, after all, is a state of mind. I am afraid that too many are preaching a false sense of security and allowing people to be lost in sin thinking that somehow God will take care of it all by and by.

Let me see if I can state my idea of security. Those persons have the greatest sense of security who are doing the most to achieve it and who are assured along the way by those with whom they wish to be secure that all is well. Think about that description with reference to a man on his job, a wife in her family, or a boy or girl in his schoolwork. The man is secure when he knows he is doing his job well. He knows that because he is working hard at it every day and his boss continually expresses approval. The wife who contributes most to the lives of her husband and children and who is appreciated by them is the most secure. The child who works at his studies and receives good grades in school is the most secure.

Now, John said, "My little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested, we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him" (1 John 2:28-29). "Boldness" in that situation would be the product of security. Isn't John saying that we have security to the extent that we work hard to do God's will and have our actions confirmed by his word? That is not the same as saying that God wants us to have security so he just overlooks our mistakes. It says, security grows out of doing right.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 727
December 3, 1987