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Assurance of God's Good Purposes in Scripture

Assurance of God's good purposes is a conviction rooted in the character of God and His revealed word, providing believers with confidence in His faithfulness and ultimate plan. This assurance is understood as a "fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt" [1]. It is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love [2].

The foundation of this assurance lies in the nature of God Himself. Scripture consistently portrays God as good (Psalm 73:1) [7], and His ways are described as "all good" (2 Samuel 22:31) [8]. Every word of God is considered pure and a shield to those who trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5) [4]. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 30:5, emphasizes that the entire word of God is pure, free from falsehood and error, coming from a God who cannot lie [11]. Similarly, Matthew Henry notes that God is good to all, but "in a special manner, good to Israel," with His goodness being a source of admiration [12]. The promises of God, which are contained in the Scriptures, are made in Christ and are considered good and holy [3]. These promises are firm, stable, and always fulfilled, being "yea and amen in Christ Jesus" [13].

This assurance extends to various aspects of a believer's life and destiny. It encompasses confidence in one's election (Psalm 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4), redemption (Job 19:25), adoption (Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:2), and salvation (Isaiah 12:2) [2]. Believers can also have assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:13), the unalienable love of God (Romans 8:38-39), and their union with God and Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 John 4:13) [2]. The concept of election, for instance, is described as being "of God," "in Christ," personal, eternal, and sovereign, irrespective of merit and based on grace [5].

The "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) is an unwavering conviction in the truth of Scripture's declarations, leading to joyful steadfastness [1]. This understanding is closely tied to the "good word of God," which John Gill interprets as either the Scriptures in general or the Gospel in particular, both being a revelation of good things that are true, pleasant, and profitable [10]. The Scriptures are described as "wonderful" in their authorship, content, and benefits, detailing creation, providence, and miracles [15]. They are also righteous and faithful, containing sayings that are true and promises that are faithfully performed [14].

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is presented as God's ultimate "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance (Acts 17:31) [1]. This divine providence ensures the inevitable certainty of prophecy's accomplishment, even when wicked individuals attempt to thwart it [9]. The conduct of righteous individuals, guided by God's covenant, also serves as an example, securing blessings for their descendants [16]. Good works, which are wrought by God in believers, are seen as fruits of righteousness and are to be performed in Christ's name, bringing glory to God [6]. The Scripture itself is designed to lead believers to perform these good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17) [6].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
  4. Proverbs “Proverbs 30:5 (Geneva1599) — Euery worde of God is pure: he is a shield to those, that trust in him.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Election — Of Christ, as Messiah -- Isa 42:1; 1Pe 2:6. Of good angels -- 1Ti 5:21. Of Israel -- De 7:6; Isa 45:5. Of ministers -- Lu 6:13; Ac 9:15. Of churches -- 1Pe 5:13. Of saints, is Of God. -- 1Th 1:4; Tit 1:1. By Christ. -- Joh 13:18; 15:16. In Christ. -- Eph 1:4. Personal. -- Mt 20:16; Joh 6:44; Ac 22:14; 2Jo 1:13. According to the purpose of God. -- Ro 9:11; Eph 1:11. According to the foreknowledge of God. -- Ro 8:29; 1Pe 1:2. Eternal. -- Eph 1:4. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:15,16; 1Co 1:27; Eph 1:11. Irrespective of merit. -- Ro 9:11. Of grace. -- Ro 11:5. Recorded i”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  7. Psalms “Psalms 73:1 (ASV) — Surely God is good to Israel, Evento such as are pure in heart.”
  8. II Samuel “II Samuel 22:31 (BBE) — As for God, his way is all good: the word of the Lord is tested; he is a safe cover for all those who put their faith in him.”
  9. Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 15, section 19: that although Ahab hoped Jehoshaphat would be mistaken for him, and run the only risk of being slain in the battle, yet he was entirely disappointed, while still the escape of the good man Jehoshaphat, and the slaughter of the bad man Ahab, demonstrated the great distinction that Divine providence made betwixt them.] 44 (return) [ We have here a very wise reflection of Josephus about Divine Providence, and what is derived from it, prophecy, and the inevitable certainty of its accomplishment; and that when wicked men think they ”
  10. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:4: And have tasted the good word of God,.... Not the Lord Jesus Christ, the essential Word of God, who seems to be intended before by the heavenly gift; but rather, either the Scriptures of truth in general, which are the word of God, endited by him, and contain his mind and will; which he makes use of for conviction, conversion, instruction, and comfort; and which are preserved by him: and these are a good word; they come from him who is good; they are a revelation of good things; they make known things true, pleasant, and profitable: or else the Gospel in particular, o”
  11. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 30:5: Every word of God is pure,.... The whole word of God. "All Scripture", given by inspiration of God, to which Agur directs, as giving the best account of God, of his name, nature, and perfections; of his Son, person, offices, and grace; being pure, very pure, "purified" (z) like silver, purified in a furnace of earth. The whole of Scripture is pure, free from all falsehood and error; coming from the God of truth, who cannot lie, and therefore called "the Scriptures of truth": every promise is pure as well as precious, made without dissimulation, faithfully performed,”
  12. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 31:19: We have three things in these verses: - I. The believing acknowledgment which David makes of God's goodness to his people in general, Psa 31:19, Psa 31:20. 1. God is good to all, but he is, in a special manner, good to Israel. His goodness to them is wonderful, and will be, to eternity, matter of admiration: O how great is thy goodness! How profound are the counsels of it! how rich are the treasures of it! how free and extensive are the communications of it! Those very persons whom men load with slanders God loads with benefits and honours. Those who are interes”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 12:6: The words of the Lord are pure words,.... This observation the psalmist makes in reference to what is just now said in Psa 12:5,, and in opposition to the words of wicked men in Psa 12:2; which are deceitful, sinful, and impure. The Scriptures are the words of God; and they are pure and holy, free from all human mixtures, and from all fraud and deceit; they are the Scriptures of truth. The promises are the words of God, and they are firm and stable, and always to be depended on, and are ever fulfilled, being yea and amen in Christ Jesus. The Gospel, and the doctrines ”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:134: Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous,.... The Scriptures are holy, just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are for instruction in righteousness, and teach men to live soberly, righteously, and godly; and very faithful; or "true" (u): all the sayings in them are true and faithful sayings; for they are the sayings of God that cannot lie; the promises in them are faithfully performed by him that made them; they are all yea and amen in Christ. The words may be rendered, "thou hast commanded righteousness in thy test”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
  16. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20:7: The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pro 4:26; Psa 112:1-2).”
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