Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 1:33PM   
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Eternity isn't a guessing game
I took a long drive late last night listening to Steven Curtis Chapman's new album. I let the CD play through several times, and ended up in Ashland, Kentucky before I felt like turning around toward home (but not before a stop at Waffle House). Chapman's new album is themed mostly around the loss of their 5-year old daughter to an accident at their home in May of last year. As such, the album communicates the deep mourning of the family but also the hope that eventually things will be made right in eternity. Chapman has a real gift of making his music encouraging and positive, even in the midst of tragedy. His work has always been a top favorite of mine and one of the most profound influences in my growth as a Christian (particularly the 'Speechless' album, a CD of which I have worn out several times over).
So, one of the things that kept coming to my mind on the road last night is how often I hear people say that they "hope they end up in heaven". I've heard it from people who both don't and do profess to be Christians - a lot more than I ever expected to. So I thought I'd take a very short blog post to pass along some Scripture that shows that you really can be sure of where you are going.
According to Scripture, your eternity depends on one thing - whether or not you have taken the deliberate step to believe in Jesus as the Savior, which means you accept the fact that He paid the price for your sins. That's all! If you've done that with sincerety, you can be absolutely sure of where you're headed - no guessing. Don't take my word for it, read the verses straight 'from the source' below. I could say a lot now about what happens afterward (including the proof that your decision was genuine), but the most important step - the turning point in your eternity - is the simple one where you start. The Romans 10:13 verse below sums it up - just ask Him. Wherever you are, no walking down the aisle at church is required. I did that one day almost 16 years ago (during a walk along railroad tracks at night, of all places). Where I am today, and where I'm headed, is a result of that one moment in time and what God has done since then.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - Romans 10:13
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. “I and the Father are one.” - John 10:27-30
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39
I would highly recommend checking out this page on John MacArthur's web site which explains things in more detail.
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Dan, I love this post. I really do.
I hurt for so many people who just 'aren't sure' because I was unsure for so long. And I keep thinking - if they only knew how easy it really is. It's not a political thing, or a long and drawn out, formal procedure. It's a simple confession of faith. That's all it takes to KNOW you will end up in Heaven. I say things on my FB and Twitter and I do feel like people write me off much of the time as a crazy. Satan works so hard on people and it tears me up. I see so many struggling with the concept of salvation. I don't think those close to me have any clue that I pray for them on a daily basis, over and over, that they might see and hear words like you've written here.
Thank you for posting this. You continue to be a blessing to those around you and you are a wonderful friend.
- Posted by Jes from Charlie-West |
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Thanks Jes! You all are part of the proof that God is good.
- Posted by Dan R. from Charleston |
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Amen Dan! Thanks for standing up for Christ Jesus in a dark world!
- Posted by Jeff Smith from Claremore, Ok |
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