The only thing more painful than watching hypocrites perish is realizing that you will die with them, unless the Holy Spirit keeps you. It is not possible for us to keep ourselves; God must speak to us or we cannot come to Him (John 6:44-45). And, when the believer comes afresh to this realization, he looks for encouragements and assurance that he will be saved.
Here are 5 indisputable encouragements for everyone concerned about your soul.
First, the Person of God encourages us; the fact that He delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). God Almighty, the God of all glory, displays more of His glory in the salvation of a sinner than He can ever display in our destruction (II Cor. 3:7-12). It is not HOW MUCH I want to be saved that encourages me; it is how much the Lord delights in mercy-(Rom. 10:12-13) "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." In Jeremiah 29:13, when the Lord promises, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." He is not saying that we will be saved when we try hard enough; He is saying that our salvation will come when we seek Him for salvation… on the terms of His grace to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior.
Secondly, the Payment of God encourages us. Our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Person, obedience, death, and resurrection, fully accomplished eternal redemption. Augustus Toplady wrote–"Remember, that the conditions of fallen man's salvation are two, and no more: namely, perfect atonement for sin, and perfect obedience to the law. Both these conditions Christ has completely fulfilled, in the stead, and for the infallible salvation, of every soul that comes to his blood for cleansing, and to his righteous for clothing." God the Father is satisfied with the obedience and payment of Christ… so satisfied that He will NEVER demand one more tear, one more payment, or one more act of obedience to put away any sins. And, when the blood of Christ is sprinkled upon your conscience, you know God's satisfaction with Christ by experience. This is when you're delivered from self-righteous dead works, guilt, and slavish fear. Your conscience is purged of every need to do something to appease God (Heb. 9:14). You see by gospel revelation that you stand perfected and are thereby worthy of all grace through the one time obedience of God's Son (Rom. 5:12-21).
Next, we find encouragement in God's Promise. Our Lord Jesus says, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in now wise cast out." He does not say, "Him that cometh to me sincerely enough, remorseful enough, or willing to lay down his life enough." Christ Jesus is saying that every sinner that comes to Him the only way that a sinner can come, which is as a sinner, shall be saved. He will give you such a clear revelation of His grace that you'll pass from death unto life-"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).
Everlasting life is not only the length of it, but it is also the QUALITY of it. Everlasting life is set apart and distinct from what Adam had. Adam had conditional life that was based upon his own obedience; those who come to Christ receive eternal life, which is based upon His obedience. Everlasting life begins in regeneration, when you're born again. Instantly, by the power of God and the Word of God, you're cleansed, a new creation, and the fit abode of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:22). Now, you have the Comforter, which is Holy Spirit, to instruct your heart, subdue your flesh by gospel revelations, and convince you of your saving union with Christ Jesus (John 14:26-27 / Rom 8:10, 13). The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit and convinces us that we are sons, and God Almighty, the Judge of all the earth, the avenging God who will utterly destroy every rebellious sinner, is actually God our Father. Him whom the world shall flee from is actually our Heavenly Father to whom we receptively turn in the hours of our greatest temptation, unbelief, and sin (Rom. 8:15-16). Also, the Holy Spirit, who is the Giver and Operator of all life in us, convinces us to persevere. He proves to our consciences that "… the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom 8:18)." While others fall away in unbelief, you are kept believing that there is a final judgment, and refuge is only found in Christ. Being justified, you endure believing that "The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous; verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth (Ps. 58:10-11)."
Fourthly, believers are encouraged, and sinners are invited to do the same, because of God's purpose. Wherever God maintains His gospel, He has a people. Paul wasn't allowed to go into Asia in Acts 16 because God didn't have a people ready to believe, therefore the Holy Spirit sent him into Macedonia where the church at Philippi would begin. In Acts 18, Paul endured some difficulty in the early days at Corinth, but he leaves the synagogue to preach in a house where many would believe. And, our Lord encourages him, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city (Acts 18:9-10)." Sinner, be encouraged that the gospel has come to you.
Lastly, knowing that all of God's people are sinners, we ought to be encouraged by the sufficiency of grace. By nothing but His grace, God has saved a people just a sinful as you and me in every generation, and throughout the Scriptures. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9)." Every aspect of salvation is by grace, and it is all-sufficient to bring sinners from unspeakable blasphemies to eternal glory. Grace is sufficient to reprove the disobedient, encourage the faint, strengthen the weak, instruct the wavering, and recover the fallen. Therefore, don't be discouraged because of the sharp and sometimes exceedingly painful revelations of your own sinfulness; God is saving sinners "… according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:5-6)."
*