[295 words]
You can safely assume:
• That God loves you (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
• That the price of your sins was paid by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• That your past sins were washed away— forgiven—at your baptism (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
• That you can be faithful to God (Revelation 2:10).
• That, during your faithful walk with God, your sins are being cleansed by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7).
• That the kingdom of God will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18).
• That Satan will ultimately be punished, since he has already been defeated (Luke 10:18; John 12:31; Revelation 20:10).
• That heaven and your experience there will be greater than anything you can imagine (Romans 8:18; Revelation 21:4).
On the other hand, you should never assume:
• That God cannot/will not forgive you (Romans 5:8; Hebrews 8:12).
• That you know exactly what someone is thinking (1 Corinthians 2:11).
• That you know the motive behind an act of someone toward you or someone else (Matthew 7:1; John 7:24).
• That you know everything (Romans 11:33).
• That you will never fall from grace (1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4).
• That all your companions and loved ones will be faithful just because of their association with you (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
• That you will be saved just because you come from a strong family or attend a faithful church (Philippians 2:12, 13).
• That you will win before you even fight the battle, or run the race (1 Kings 20:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24).
• That something is right because you have always thought it was (Acts 26:9; 1 Timothy 1:12, 13).
Lance Cordle
Calvert City church of Christ
Calvert City, KY