Assurance of Heaven

   “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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)

   Jesus said before a crowd: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) Obviously, these words are a warning not to lose your eternal soul, so there must be a way NOT to lose your soul.

   Now what if someone had asked Him, “Lord, how can I be sure I don’t lose my soul?” And He replied, “There’s no way to be sure.” That reply would make no sense based on what He had just said. It would also mean God wants us to live in a fingers-crossed hope of heaven and a simultaneous fear of hell, but not know where we will go until we die. Since “…fear hath torment.” (1 John 4:18), it would mean God wants us to be tormented by uncertainty all our lives. That idea is contrary to Scripture and wrong.

   Our passage says, “…that ye may KNOW [not think] that ye have eternal life,” God wants us to have peace of mind knowing we have eternal life. The Bible says so. The apostle Peter told his readers about “…an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:4) Paul told the Colossians of “…the hope which is laid up for you in heaven,” (Colossians 1:5)

   Jesus Himself even said, “He that believeth on him [on Jesus Himself] is not condemned:” (John 3:18) Also, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

   So how does one go about knowing? First, accept as truth what the Bible says about sin: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) Sin alienates us from a holy God. Also, “For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23) Our sin makes us worthy of death. Moreover, if we die separated from God, we will spend eternity the same way: “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14) Our sin has made us deserving of death and hell.

   Next, accept as truth that Jesus is God the Son and He paid your sin-debt on the cross: “Who [Jesus] his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” (1 Peter 2:24) We cannot understand how Jesus could take all our sins, but we can accept it from Scripture as truth: “…he died for all,” (2 Corinthians 5:15) “…the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) Jesus was buried and rose and is alive! “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” (Revelation 1:18)

   Finally, receive Him as your personal Saviour: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12) Call on Him in repentance for sin. Invite Him into your heart and life, trusting in Him entirely to forgive you for all your sins and get you to heaven. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall [not might] be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?” (Romans 10:13-14)

   If you know Jesus as Saviour, you are not arrogant or presumptuous by saying you’re going to heaven. You are arrogant and presumptuous if you say you’re getting there by your works, but if you’re trusting entirely in Jesus to get you there, you’re taking God at His word. God keeps His promises. God cannot lie: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Titus 1:2)

   If you want to see more from the Bible about receiving the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 4/3/2024