“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
With Christmas less than a week away, I’ve been contemplating eternal matters. I’d like to share two different stories with you. They’re both true. They are similar stories, but have different endings. Both accounts involve funerals. One involved someone I’ve never met, the other one was a dear friend.
The first account was related to me through a friend who had recently attended a funeral. He reported what was shared at the memorial service. It turns out that the deceased man was told by his spiritual leaders as he lay on his deathbed, “You have done enough good works to go to heaven. You are ready to die.”
The second story involved a member of our church, a dear friend of mine. As I visited with him in the hospital, we talked of eternity, healing, and being with Jesus. After I prayed for him, we both rejoiced in the fact that he would be in heaven someday – but not because of any good works he had done (he had been sick and practically bedridden for 22 years)! No, we talked about the mercy of Jesus Christ, our Savior; we talked about the blood He shed for our sins. My friend and I rejoiced that he had placed his faith in Jesus many years ago. Because of Christ’s sacrificial payment, my friend would be with God for all eternity — apart from any good works he had done here.
Yes, two stories. Two conclusions. Two different eternities. How can we know which is true?
I believe the Bible is very clear on this. I am convinced that God wants us to have a hope; but, hope must be based on truth. The Bible says,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” — Titus 3:4-5b (NIV84)
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” — Titus 3:5-7 (NIV84)
Heaven is not something we earn. Salvation is a gift of God — freely given to those who repent, humble themselves, and receive it. Have you accepted that gift? Eternity depends on it.
Isn’t it good to know the Savior? Isn’t it good to know that you can KNOW you can have eternal life?
Resting in our Savior’s finished work,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor