”Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” | Hebrews 12: 1-3

I am sure that some who lived in the days of our Lord’s visitation to earth, and many who heard the Gospel from the apostles, and the faithful preachers who followed them, could tell you the exact day they met the risen Redeemer, and bowed to His sovereign rule.

I have never felt that it was important for a person to be able to tell when he was saved, but rather that he was able now to state he has experienced repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, that now he is looking to Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, and is now resting in his righteousness, and an effectual sin-offering.

Too often men and women like to establish a time of conversion and an experience, in order to have something to look back upon for comfort and assurance.

This is dangerous!

We are not to look to anything or to anyone but Christ for our hope, our assurance, and our comfort.

Paul said something about “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward onto those things which are before,” and, “looking unto the Lord Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.”

Most of us came through the confusion, errors, and false professions of modern fundamentalism and had so much to unlearn, so many false foundations which had to be destroyed, that it is difficult to set an exact hour when our eyes were turned, totally from our idols of religion to our living Lord — when our hearts were weaned from the pride of our religious works and professions and brought to rest in him alone!

This is the unaided work of the Spirit of God, and the Word of God; and this is a living union which shall never be dissolved.

This is accomplished when sinners hear the Gospel of God‘s grace and glory.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “Paul’s Doxology” (49:48 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 18 February, 2024 | Previous post date: n/a