The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Level of fellowship with the young in faith

Paul,

I tend to be "more familiar" with new professors. However, I don't see any correlation between being in close fellowship with someone and somehow giving them false assurance. It has never been my practice to tell anyone that they are infallibly reconciled with God and justified in His sight. I believe that only the Holy Spirit is warranted and capable of instilling assurance in anyone's heart. The advantage, IMHO, of having a close relationship with new believers is that they will gain personal insight in seeing what it is to be a disciple of Christ; warts and all; e.g., the struggles, sorrow, disappointments, rejection, persecution and sins as well as witnessing the determination to stand and not falter when temptations come, the deep peace, joy, satisfaction, etc. which only one united to Christ by true faith experiences.

Surely there is the potential and real sorrow when someone you have worked with for any length of time appears to go astray. Yet, we know that there are many who will honor God with their lips but their heart is far from Him. The Lord Christ was never quick to accept one's professed belief at face value, for He knew what was in man. It would be wise for us to learn from His wisdom.

John 2:23-25 (ASV) Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, during the feast, many believed on his name, beholding his signs which he did. But Jesus did not trust himself unto them, for that he knew all men, and because he needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.

In His Grace,