“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:22
He wants us to have “a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn. 4:14), not a dry well filled with dead men’s bones (Mt. 23:27; Ez. 37:1-2).
“Full assurance of faith.”
What picture comes to mind when you hear this phrase, Pilgrim? Someone “filled with the Spirit” and always bubbling over in his/her conversation and conduct? Someone who seemingly can walk on water and is ready to charge hell with a water pistol without being told?
Or, could it be someone who’s quiet and whose demeanor more resembles a placid lake or slow-moving stream that invites you to come rest for a while?
Regardless of our picture, the fact remains “a true heart” and “full assurance of faith” always go hand-in-hand.
One (“a true heart”) is a prerequisite to the other (“full assurance of faith”)—for it’s impossible to be “bold believers” (v.19a) and to “enter into the Holiest” (v.19b) without knowing our sins are covered by Jesus’ Blood. And, it’s equally impossible for us to “draw near” if our heart’s filled with timidity, guilt or a sense of utter unworthiness.
Only by placing our sole trust/confidence in Jesus. . .Who He is. . .and what He has done. . . do we find “full assurance of faith.” Even though meager faith is better than no faith, the Lord still wants us to be “more than conquerors through Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us” (Rom. 8:37).
Even during those times when we’re fearful, faith still rises up and declares “What times I am afraid, I will trust in God” (Ps. 56:3). And, over a period of time—through repeated exercise and declaration—we soon shall be able to exclaim “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the Strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1).
Yes, dear Pilgrim, “holy boldness” comes from a daily walk with the Lord. It’s through our “communion-union” with Him (Jn. 15:1-7) that we experience the “fruits of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-23) and His Resurrection Power in our lives.
That’s why we must continually “meditate upon His Word day and night” (Ps. 1:2) as we “hide His Word in our hearts” (Ps. 119:11). Like Nathanael, whom Jesus saw studying the Word under the fig tree (Jn. 1:47-48), we, too, can become a believer “in whom there is no guile” (Jn. 1:47). And, like Nathanael, we, too, will begin see the Lord moving in ways we’ve never seen before (Jn. 1:51)—all because we’re open conduits through whom He can move.
“Full assurance of faith.”
Isn’t that something you desperately want? If so, keep “hungering and thirsting after Christ”—and soon you shall be “filled to overflowing” (Mt. 5:6) as you allow His “springs of living Water” (Jn. 4:14) to flood your soul and spill over into others’ lives.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated March 5, 2011
