Satisfaction Guaranteed
Our satisfaction with God and our security in Christ are guaranteed through our relationship with Him, not through our own efforts.
Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the profound truth that our reconciliation with God is solely through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, presenting us as holy and blameless in God's sight. He highlights the importance of finding satisfaction in Christ rather than in our own efforts or achievements, as our faith is tested on the basis of our relationship with God. Stanford reminds believers that our link with God is through Jesus Christ alone, not through our own merits, and that our perfect security lies in realizing our position in the Lord Jesus.
Text
"And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight" (Colossians 1:21, 22).
In order for our Father to be satisfied with us, He placed us in His Son. In order for us to be satisfied with our Father, we"rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3).
"On what ground is our faith tested? It is on the ground of our very relationship with God and God's attitude toward us. The concentration of the enemy is upon that point--to interfere with our link with God.
"What is our link with God? It is this--the Lord Jesus Christ, as the answer to God and to Satan for us. It will never be what we are in ourselves. If you are expecting a day to come when in virtue of what you are in yourself you can satisfy God, you are destined to an awful disillusionment. The day will never come when we can satisfy God in ourselves, not even more or less."
"How could there be any doubt about the believers perfect security if his position in the Lord Jesus were realized? It would be impossible. Can He change? Or will God say to Him, I cannot any longer accept You as standing for this people? Or, once again if standing for them, is He on probation? Is His work completely done, or still to do?" -F.W.G.
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13).
Sermon Outline
- I. Our Relationship with God
- A. God's attitude towards us is the ground of our faith
- B. Our link with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ
- C. We cannot satisfy God in ourselves
- II. The Enemy's Attack
- A. The enemy seeks to interfere with our link with God
- B. The enemy attacks our confidence in our own flesh
- III. Our Security in Christ
- A. Our position in the Lord Jesus guarantees our perfect security
- B. God will not change His acceptance of Christ
- IV. Forgiveness and New Life
- A. We have been made alive with Christ through forgiveness
- B. Our past sins are forgiven and forgotten
Key Quotes
“If you are expecting a day to come when in virtue of what you are in yourself you can satisfy God, you are destined to an awful disillusionment.” — Miles J. Stanford
“The day will never come when we can satisfy God in ourselves, not even more or less.” — Miles J. Stanford
“Can He change? Or will God say to Him, I cannot any longer accept You as standing for this people?” — Miles J. Stanford
Application Points
- Recognize that your relationship with God is the ground of your faith, and not your own efforts.
- Understand that you cannot satisfy God in yourself, but only through Christ.
- Trust in your position in the Lord Jesus for your perfect security.