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)
Police work is dangerous, but important. The Bible says so. The Bible says society needs people willing to confront criminals, those who do evil. The Bible also authorizes police to use force when necessary, even deadly force: “…he beareth not the sword [or firearm, Taser, baton, or whatever it takes] in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:4)
Police work is dangerous largely because there are people who make it so. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 63 of the 165 officers killed in 2024 died either by gunfire, stabbing, or vehicular assault, which means someone purposely did something intending to hurt or kill them.
You may be in great shape with top-notch tactics and shooting skills. Yet sadly, you can still be killed. That said, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the peace of mind of knowing you’ll be in heaven when you die? You may not think much about the afterlife or even believe there is one, but the Bible says in many places that there is. It also says we can know for sure we’ll be in heaven, even before we die.
Our verse says these things are written “…that ye may know that ye have eternal life,” not “believe,” or “hope,” but “...KNOW that ye have eternal life,” 1 Peter 1:4 also says people who know Jesus, the Son of God, as Saviour have “…an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven [not maybe] for you,” Colossians 1:5 also says, “For the hope which is laid up [not might be laid up] for you in heaven,” The Bible has many other verses about assurance of heaven.
Some may think we can’t be sure of heaven until we die. Yet God does not want us to live our lives with uncertainty and fear of hell. 1 John 4:18 says, “…fear hath torment.” To torment us like that is not love, but a cruel head game. God does not play head games. God wants us to be in heaven and to have peace of mind in this life that heaven is assured. That’s why the Bible says what it says about assurance of heaven.
The Bible also tells us how to be sure. Romans 6:23b says, “… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This passage says eternal life in heaven is a gift, not something you earn or buy. If you could earn or buy it, it wouldn’t be a gift. But the Bible says eternal life is a gift.
Imagine a stranger offering you a $50 bill. Free. You ask what’s the catch. He says no catch. He cares about you. Well, God cares about us and wants to give us a gift worth far more than $50. He wants to give us a home in heaven. If you could put a price tag on a home in heaven, what would it be? Priceless, right? Yet God wants to give it as a gift. That’s why Romans 6:23b says, “…the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
It also says the gift is through Jesus Christ. It is not through religion, kind deeds, or anything else people may think they need to do. It is through a person who offers it for free. Just like a kind stranger who offers you $50 for free, Jesus offers eternal life for free.
Yet in order to have it, you must receive it by receiving Jesus as Saviour. John 1:12says, “But as many as received him [Jesus], to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” God offers eternal life because He wants people to have it. To learn more about receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour and having forgiveness of your sins and a home in heaven, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 5/14/2025