MAKE SURE OF HEAVEN!
It is amazing how many good people go to church every Sunday and are not sure of their salvation. What about you? If you were to die within the next five minutes, would you go to heaven? If your answer is, “I think so,” or “I hope so,” or something similar, then you need to read this message.
One of the basic truths of Scripture everyone should understand is the believer’s assurance of salvation. Scores of Bible verses make it clear that when we are converted by receiving Christ, our future dwelling place in heaven is certain. How sorrowful it is that earnest, sincere people who have trusted in Christ have not come to realize this fact.
In Romans 10:13 God says, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Shall be does not mean sometime in the unknowable future. It is not meant to suggest that one must wait and see what happens after death. It means that anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus for salvation shall most definitely and most assuredly be saved at that very moment.
If our salvation depended upon ourselves, we could understand why it might be questionable. But it depends upon the grace of God entirely. Humans cannot save themselves. Salvation is a miracle of God. God does the saving. Thus, if one repents of his sins and is willing to trust Christ completely, that person can be assured of an eternal home in heaven.
The story is told of Queen Victoria who, at the close of a service in St. Paul’s Cathedral, asked her chaplain if one could be absolutely sure in this life of eternal salvation. He told her that he knew of no way that one could be absolutely sure. This incident reached the news media and a humble minister of the gospel, John Townsend, read it. Pastor Townsend thought and prayed about the matter and then sent the following note to the Queen. “With trembling hands but with a heart filled with love, and because I know that we can be absolutely sure now of eternal life in the home that Jesus went to prepare, may I ask your Gracious Majesty to read the following passages of Scripture? John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9,10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jes us, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” John Townsend went on to say, “These passages prove there is full assurance of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work.”
Several days later, Pastor Townsend received the following reply from the Queen. “Your letter of recent date received and in reply would state that I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture referred to. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me and trust by God’s grace to meet you in that home of which He said, I go to prepare a place for you.”
It is possible for anyone to have this most important issue of life settled immediately. You can be certain of your eternal salvation. Both the Old and New Testament saints had the assurance. David had it. If not he could never have given us the 23rd Psalm in which he wrote, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The apostle John had it. He wrote in John 3:36, He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. On the other hand, he made it clear in this same verse that those who do not believe on the Son do not have eternal life. Paul possessed this marvelous assurance also. He wrote in 2 Timothy 1:12, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Peter realized it, for he m ade it clear that we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).
In his first epistle, John wrote in chapter 3 verse 2, Beloved, now are we the sons of God. As far as John was concerned, this was settled once and for all. Salvation was not something to be gained in the future but something to be experienced and realized now. Further, he wrote it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. John knew he was ready to meet Christ face to face at any time.
It matters not who you are or what your past has been. You can be the possessor of life eternal at this moment, if you will invite Jesus Christ into your life. Following this, you may trust Him to live His life through you so that you can overcome all temptation and sin.
Perhaps you are wondering if there is any danger of losing your salvation once you are saved. Not according to what Jesus said in John 10:27-29. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. Christ made it clear that those who trust in Him will never perish.
If you have never entered into a personal relationship with the Son of God, consider that which cannot be taken from you or pass away: eternal life! Invite Jesus Christ to become your Lord. Acknowledge the fact that you have sinned; with the realization that Christ is the Savior, and by faith, ask Him to become the Lord and Master of your life. Things will change. The dark places will be flooded with light. Confusion will be overcome by understanding. Disruption will be defeated by harmony. You will discover life at its best. God is ready to receive you. Bow your head now, and open the door of your heart. Invite the King of Glory to come in! J. Allen Blair
The Tri-Unity of God
Gary Janes
“God in three persons, blessed Trinity.” I’ve often sung these words in the song, Holy, Holy, Holy without giving them a second thought. It is a reminder of the importance God has placed on us. Jesus prayed for believers in John chapter 17. He emphasized that we are interwoven with Him, and He with God. So, the next time you doubt that anyone cares for you, read the 17th chapter of John, and remember that believers are important to God the Father, and God the Son, and presently, we have His Holy Spirit within!
How To Have A Happy Valentine's Day
(A brief and powerful message for husbands and wives)
Be...all of one mind, having compassion
one of another...be courteous (1 Peter 3:8).
Demonstrate Your Love
J. Allen Blair
A pastor was asked, “How does your church show to the world that you belong to the Body of Christ.” He thought for a moment, and replied, “Well, I really can’t say.” Then he was asked, “Do you ever fellowship with other churches in your town? Do you ever join hands to do things together?” After a long pause he said, “No, we don’t.” Then he changed the subject.
Now I’m not talking about compromise. Such a thing dilutes the gospel and disgraces our Lord. What I am saying is, sincere God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christ-honoring saints in churches should accept each other, and love each other, while trying to help each other. In my thinking, this is what Jesus had in mind when He said, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.
People without Christ must have a hard time believing that God loves sinners when they see saints fighting each other. Paul wrote, in 2 Corinthians 6:1, We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. God does not flood our hearts with His marvelous grace so we argue and disagree with each other over things that really don’t matter. Sinners are perishing. Saints are starving. There is no time for petty discords and ecclesiastical squables. While some are disputing over questions and trifles, bickering and arguing about things that reveal their selfishness and pride, others (maybe with less light and less knowledge) are bringing their sheaves home with joy. They are reaching people for Christ and honoring the Lord.
Someone said, “Christians should keep a tender heart and develop a thick skin.” That’s certainly sound advice for Christians who would be happy and used of God.
2006 Scripture Planner Calendars
Calendars are still available. The format is a page per week and the cost is $12.00 including postage and handling.