You Can Be Sure!
I would like to ask you to consider an important question. When you die, will you go to heaven to be with Jesus Christ or will you be consigned to hell? Maybe your answer is “I don’t know.” I have met many people who give this answer.
There is a town in Texas named Uncertain. How would you like to live in this town? When somebody asks you where you live, you would reply, “Uncertain.” The next question would be, “You are uncertain where you live?” You would answer, “No, I am certain that it is Uncertain.”
Regarding eternal matters, there are many people who are uncertain. They are not sure of their salvation. They don’t know whether they are going to heaven or hell.
Do you know that it is possible to know for sure where you are going? There is no need to wonder. God makes it clear in the Bible.
In 1 John 5:12-13, He says, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life. What could be clearer than that? He that hath the Son hath life. God is speaking about eternal life here. It all centers around the verb hath. It is in the present tense, which means you can know for sure, right now.
A friend of mine asked a wealthy business executive if he knew the Lord. The businessman replied, “Life to me is a series of examinations. I have been taking examinations all my life—in high school, college, and even now in business, I face examinations continually. Concerning spiritual matters, life is just one big examination and you never know your grade until after you die.”
This is what the Bible says. He that hath the Son hath life. Do you have the Son? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? He died for your sins and paid the price for every sin you ever committed or will commit.
Again, I ask, do you have the Son? The answer is either yes or no. It is not I hope so or I think so.
What if I were to ask, are you married? If you are, you certainly wouldn’t answer, I hope so or I think so. You would know so. If you have met Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you will know it, because when He comes into a life, He changes the life. He gives joy, peace, and comfort such as we have never known.
One time a pastor was speaking on 1 John 5:12-13, emphasizing the word, hath. A young lady in his congregation, who for months had been searching for certainty relative to salvation, listened intently. As the preacher reiterated the truth of salvation through Christ, the young lady’s face suddenly brightened, and she broke forth in a beautiful smile. As soon as the service was over she went to the pastor and exclaimed, “I’ve got it! And that word hath has done it all.”
If you have been searching, or if you have doubts in your mind, why not take God at his word? He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. It doesn’t say anything here about working for salvation. It simply says that if we believe on the Son of God, immediately we have everlasting life. We do not have to wonder about the future. We are assured that when we die, we go to be with Christ. Jesus said in John 10:28, I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. Of whom is He speaking? Those who believe on Him. So we don’t have to hope we shall be saved. According to 1 John 5:13, we know that we are saved because God says, These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that you have eternal life.
But you may ask, “Suppose after I believe on Christ I should sin again and backslide, would I not lose my salvation and be back where I started?” The Bible says in Hebrews 10:26-27, For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries? These verses were written to the Hebrews as the book title implies. Some of the Hebrews had already come out of their Old Testament way of life and had become followers of Jesus Christ. Others were resisting. They had given full consideration to the claims of the Gospel and, though they had full knowledge of Christ’s saving work presented to them, they hesitated to make their decision. Thus, Paul warns them that after having full knowledge of salvation through Christ, if they were to turn their backs on Him, they would be in danger of sinning grievously by rejecting Christ, which could result in eternal condemnation. They might argue, “Well, we have the sacrificial system. We can slay the lamb and that will be sufficient.” “Oh, no,” says Paul, “Once you have been enlightened as to the true way of salvation, there is no other sacrifice for sin but a fearful prospect of judgment.” If you read the text carefully, you will note that they had knowledge of salvation, but not salvation.
The Bible makes it clear that when we trust in Jesus Christ sincerely, there is no doubt about our future. When asked the question, “Where will you go when you die?” we can reply with confidence, “Thank God, I will go to be with Christ.” Do you possess this blessed assurance? If not, I urge you to pray, “Lord Jesus, I believe that you died for my sins, and I receive You as my Savior and Lord.”
J. Allen Blair
Our Origin?
Gary Janes
I was thinking about the drawings that are found on the walls of caves. The crude forms are part of the so-called proof that we descended from simple cells through an elaborate selective process until, Bingo!, here we are, all developed. Data would show that some of us have undeveloped into simpler forms of life. Over the span of recorded history, people have not changed for the better. Sin still dominates our world. So, there is a conflict. Some in the scientific community discredit the Bible and its explanation of why we are the way we are. Dr. Blair wrote a message titled, Does The Bible Conflict with Science. This is an honest look from a biblical worldview. What's your view? I'll tell you mine. Although my actions may sometimes lead you to question this, my grandfather was not a monkey. We believe in God the Father, the Maker of all! The message, Does The Bible Conflict with Science, is yours when you ask for it this month.
Dr. Blair’s Teaching Tape
The Bible and The Resurrection
60 min. cassette tape $5.00
Amazing Things!
by Pastor Geoffrey Janes
Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves, because the LORD was going to do amazing things. It is so amazing, when we follow God’s simple plan of obedience, to see how He blesses us and shows Himself to us in ways we cannot begin to explain.
Consecrate means to make or declare sacred. Everyday, we face all kinds of problems and choices that affect our lives in many ways. We struggle and wonder, “Is this God’s will for me?” As the Israelites were preparing to cross the Jordan River into the land, which God had promised for many years, Joshua gave the order. And Joshua said unto the people, Consecrate (Sanctify) yourselves: for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things (wonders) among you (Joshua 3:5). Set yourselves apart, clean yourselves up, get ready to meet God!
There are two ways to look at this: consecrate yourself, because God is going to do something amazing, and if you do consecrate yourself, you can expect God to do amazing things. Joshua knew that God was getting ready to do something spectacular, because God had told him so.
We should always be ready. Daily, we should consecrate ourselves and set ourselves apart for God’s work by confessing our sins and staying clean in God’s sight. And as we do, we must expect God to do amazing things. If you are in a right standing with God, if our relationship with God is pure and holy, God will do amazing things! You can be sure of it.
What is keeping you from seeing amazing things that God does? Is there sin in your life that needs to be dealt with? Confess your sins to God, and he will forgive you. Consecrate yourselves, and God will do amazing things among you.
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Did you notice that the declaration by Joshua recorded in Joshua 24:15 was at the end of his life and was a declaration of continuance?
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
Both the context and the word used for serve indicate a continuance of service, such as to enslave oneself. Joshua had lived his life in obedience to the LORD's direction. In this last discourse, he reaffirmed his dedication.
Reaffirm your dedication with a plaque bearing the words of Joshua 24:15 in bold black letters on a gold background. The 4" by 6" aluminum plaque mounts on your front door using two small brads (not included).
$5.30 total in NC with postage and tax
$5.00 all other states with postage
Cost outside the USA, contact us