Dear Pacific Union Member:

You will find many Christians who believe in “once saved always saved.” While not true, it does bring assurance and peace. Adventists on the other hand have a tendency to go too far the other way and not experience the assurance God longs to give us:

We never let ourselves believe we will actually be saved. There is a fear we haven’t met the conditions.

• Doubts of unworthiness crowd out peace.

• Thoughts of heaven are always tinged with fears I may not make it.

• Sanctification and perfection are such a big mountain to climb it often seems an impossible task.

• “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine” are only words of a song, not my reality.

If any of these viewpoints are part of your walk with Jesus, you have missed one of the most important experiences of salvation. Take a few minutes to focus your mind on the thoughts on this page. They can help you be assured and restful in Jesus.

"When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Savior and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ.... Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory" (Steps to Christ, p. 71).

"The more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence" (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 651).

"Let us all have confidence in God. Press your way through the shadow which Satan throws across your pathway and take hold of the arm of Jesus, the Mighty One. Let your case rest in His hands.... When the enemy comes with his darkness, sing faith and talk faith, and you will find that you have sung and talked yourself into the light" (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 650-651).

"It is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to keep his thoughts under the control of reason and oblige himself to be cheerful and happy. However bitter may be the cause of his grief, he should cultivate a spirit of rest and quietude in God. The restfulness which is in Christ Jesus, the peace of Christ, how precious, how healing its influence, how soothing to the oppressed soul!" (The Upward Look, p. 102).

"The Son of God is preparing a place for you in the mansions above. Let thanksgiving be expressed for this. Do not feel that because you do not always feel uplifted, you are not His child" (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 693).

"A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might" (A New Life, p. 40).

Your friend,

Tom Mostert