Heaven Series #11
How can I be 100% sure that I am going to Heaven?
The apostle John wrote in his second of five writings these powerful words: “I have written these things to you (who believe in the name of the Son of God), that you may KNOW that you HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.” 1 John 5:13
John’s words here make it clear that it is God’s intention for His children to KNOW that they will go to heaven and live forever. Before we get into any doctrinal thoughts here, I want to focus on what John is trying to communicate… and why.
John says that his purpose in writing this is ‘THAT YOU MAY KNOW”. So, what is the evidence that he provides us to back up this “knowing”?
First of all, notice who he addresses the statement to… “to YOU, who BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD” (JESUS). Let’s break this down even further. What is it to “believe”? Is it merely to believe that Jesus existed?… or to believe that his name was Jesus? The Amplified version defines the word “believe” this way… to “cling to, trust in, and rely upon”. Now that sounds more like it. So, here are the questions we need to ask…
Do you CLING to Jesus as your Savior and Rescuer? “Have you put your TRUST in Jesus as the Lord of your life? Do you RELY upon Him and His word in your daily life and decisions? If you have, you know it, and truthfully, so does everyone else who knows you. These wonderful things can’t be hidden, at least not for long.
Again, Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. “We know within ourselves that Christ Jesus lives in our hearts, because we can see the changes that have come about since the day we first believed. Sometimes, it may seem like two steps forward and one step back… but we are changing nonetheless… and we need to remember that God sees us as we are in Christ and who we will become when the work He began in us is finished… “We are God’s workmanship…” Eph. 2:10
So, what does this “knowing” accomplish? The scriptures speak often about the joys of salvation. God wants us to walk in joy… in the confidence of knowing where we are going… and to share the good news of God’s free gift of eternal life with as many as we can… in our brief life on this earth. Truth is, as believers in Christ, and in the Heaven the scriptures reveal to us, we should be the happiest people in the earth, and many are…
“You will JOYOUSLY draw water from the springs of salvation!” Isaiah 12:3
Would you like the assurance of eternal life for yourself?
Watch this compelling 6 minute video.
