In today’s world every Christian has so many pressing things that lean hard against one’s heart. It’s not hard to imagine. With every conceivable spiritual podcast available, as well as our 24-hour social media and online “communities,” Christ-centered bearings are under tremendous stress, maybe unlike any other time in human history. 

The very thing we need to have central and paramount is being pushed aside, or worse, it’s challenged or questioned to the point our “core beliefs” (the thing that establishes and sustains our relationship of faith in Christ and His gospel) are diminished to the point of almost no return it seems.

What is at stake? I believe it’s the very essence of what our faith and sanctification must rely on, gospel assurance. I will explain this more later, but for now let’s review some of the struggles that confront and weaken our assurance and trust in Christ. 

Denying the exclusivity of Jesus as the sufficiency of God’s great gospel in salvation and sanctification has been persistently under attack. Our faith in Christ alone is the empty hand in which Christ alone secures us as our only redeemer and because of our union with Him, He alone sanctifies us.

But instead, the seemingly endless influences of the elemental spirits of the world (weaponized law) presses hard against the believer’s heart and mind. This spirit of law-keeping is not the gospel. Not only that, our correct Christian zeal has been weakened with passionate party line politics.

In my lifetime, this spirit has never been more prevalent causing mission drift for the church as well. Instead of knowing and relishing the needed preaching of the gospel weekly, our hearts are already full of indignation against political leaders and our neighbors who support them. It’s not uncommon today to see political yard signs, attempting to steer our easily influenced hearts.   

Also, with the current climate of Christian Nationalism (a political movement that blurs the lines between faith and patriotism), we are confused about what our mission really is. We have lost the message from Paul in Philippians, “this one thing I do….” (Phil. 1:27).

Our trust and allegiance must be in Him. The purpose of the church is never to influence laws, elections and public policy even though many today believe that we are to transform the culture. After the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, many churches and pastors who didn’t defend and honor Charlie from the pulpit were blacklisted by many.

Finally, never-ending “woke” agendas successfully intimidate our boldness for the gospel to the point that pastors must constantly respond by defending the “unfair world” we live in due to patriarchy.

These days are truly filled with frightening times. It was not very long ago that the normal struggle against Christian assurance was our spiritual anxieties over the weight and guilt of our personal sin. Those struggles of unworthiness have long been replaced with the onslaught of a culture dominated with everything I discussed. Our current secularism is alive and well.    

My mini conclusion is that the trend in evangelicalism is that Christ and His gospel message have drifted away from its center, namely Christ. We collectively have lost our bearings. To say it another way, we have lost our conviction of what it means to trust Christ alone in salvation and sanctification.

I believe we need to have our convictions and assurance stirred and strengthened in the grace of Christ (the gospel), so that we can rightly deal with these present attacks that plague and confuse our hearts and minds. Our goal and determination must be on Christ and His glorious redemption so that we rightly live, rejoice, and express meaningful gratitude even in the midst of a very turbulent world.

I believe the universal church needs a spiritual kick start with the gospel of Christ. He is our only true comfort and helper in this life. He alone is our mighty rescuer and assurance. What has helped me personally to build a stronger conviction in Christ in recent days is that I journeyed back in time.

There was a day when the Christian church was previously persecuted. It was in 1563 in Germany when several churches battled and endured many trials and tribulations.  It was at that time when primarily, with the oversight of two pastors (Zacharias Ursinus and Casper Olevianus), the Heidelberg catechism was penned. It was named after their city in Germany.

Over the course of history, it has become a foundational document of the reformed faith. It’s aim was to promote doctrinal clarity and unity among Christians (Protestants). This catechism (a series of questions and answers) became a teaching tool for all ages, youth to older adults, for guidance.

 As a bible-believing Christian, I have to state that this catechism, like other church creeds and confessions is not more important nor does it carry more weight than Scripture alone. But the Heidelberg catechism shows its value in its focus and attention on communicating what the Bible means by what it says and keeping the very gospel of our Lord as central and all-important.  

Specifically, the Heidelberg Catechism is organized around 129 questions and answers. It follows a pattern inspired by the Apostle’s Creed and the book of Romans. It presents human misery (sin), deliverance (redemption through Christ), and gratitude (Christian living).

It delivers what I believe is an honest and true pursuit of what a Christian must understand and believe. Let me give you a taste. Question one begins: “What is your only comfort in life and death? That I…am not my own but belong….to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.” As a result, I am truly secure in His grip and not mine, so that when the heat of life comes, He holds me. Therefore, my prayer is that this catechism might help you in your daily walk with Christ.