This Is What I Know
True hope, joy, and peace come from child-like faith in what God has said, as revealed in the Bible.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, highlighting that while he recognizes a change of heart within himself, his hope for eternal life is firmly rooted in God's revelation of forgiveness through Christ. He stresses that true joy, peace, and hope come from believing in God's promises, and encourages believers to maintain a child-like faith in what God has declared. Spurgeon reassures that the guarantee of forgiveness is found in the Word of God, which serves as a solid foundation for believers.
Text
Beloved, I know that I have been converted, for I am sure that there is a change of heart in me; nevertheless, my hope of eternal life does not hang upon the inward fact. I rest in the external fact that God hath revealed himself in Jesus as blotting out the sin of all his believing people, and, as a believer, I have the word of God as my guarantee of forgiveness. This is my rest.
Because I am a believer in Christ Jesus, therefore have I hope, therefore have I joy and peace, since God hath declared that "he that believeth in him hath everlasting life." This joy can only safely come through believing, and I pray you, brothers and sisters, never be drifted away from child-like faith in what God hath said.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "A Round Of Delights," delivered November 11, 1877.
Sermon Outline
- The Source of Hope
- The Guarantee of Forgiveness
- The Source of Joy and Peace
- Child-like Faith
- The Assurance of Eternal Life
Key Quotes
“This joy can only safely come through believing, and I pray you, brothers and sisters, never be drifted away from child-like faith in what God hath said.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Because I am a believer in Christ Jesus, therefore have I hope, therefore have I joy and peace, since God hath declared that 'he that believeth in him hath everlasting life.'” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Rest in the external fact of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible.
- Hold onto child-like faith in what God has said, as revealed in the Bible.
- Trust in the word of God as your guarantee of forgiveness and the source of true joy and peace.