“That You May Know…”


BIBLE READING:  1 John 5

                Several years ago, as I sat in a circle with my fellow teens at a church devotion, I was asked the following question from the devotional leader, “Matt, are you going to heaven?”  In what I thought would have been the typical answer from a young teen, I replied “Well…I sure hope I am, but ultimately that choice is up to Jesus!”  His response caught me off guard, “Matt, I’m surprised at you!  Do you really not know if you are going to heaven or not?”  Again, I replied, “I hope so…but God is the judge”.  What the youth leader said next, still shakes me to my core, “Matt do you believe a person can know if they are lost?”  “Of Course, they can.”, I proudly exclaimed.  “Then if you know you are lost, wouldn’t you be able to know if you are saved?”.   That night may very well have affected my decision to be in ministry today.  You see, we know that when Christ returns, He will judge us on the deeds that we have done while in this earth.  Then He will pronounce on us our final judgment of either heaven or hell; Heaven to those that are faithful and Hell to those that were not (2 Corinthian 5.10). Yet John gives us reason to have a confidence in knowing what that judgement will be, based on how we have lived.  As John closes out the book of I John, he said “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (I John 5.13).   That word “know” indicates “to know from observation”.  The truth is, that based on what we have “observed” in the Scriptures and by what we have “observed” within our self, we should already have a pretty good idea of where we stand in relation to eternity.   Therefore, I ask you the same question that was asked to me so many years ago, “Are you going to heaven?”


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Prepare for Happiness”

  DISCUSSION:                                    Just recently we have seen the devastation that can result from hurricanes, earthquakes, and fire. According to the show on National Geographic channel “Doomsday Preppers” there are a lot of people over the country stocking up on supplies in the hope of being able to survive (months) a natural disaster or power grid failure. Many agree with this philosophy. Who could argue that it is a smart idea to be prepared? As a provider we should take reasonable measures to have our family prepared for hard times both mentally and physically. In this life, Christians have something more precious to protect than material things. Preparing our souls for eternity is much more important. We have been promised a gift that nothing can compare to, a home not made with hands (2Corinthians 5:1). So even if disasters come our way, we can be sure God will take care of His children. As a Christian we have a peace of mind from our faith in God’s word and beli
Read more