“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. And since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:13-15 NLT)
Here’s my disclaimer: I will not answer all your questions. The last few days we’ve been looking at the frailty of life, the certainty of death, and what that means to us as human beings. In yesterday’s post I tried to build a case for how we can know we’re going to heaven by comparing it to marriage. Realizing the weakness of many marriages today, I’m sure there were mixed feelings about that comparison.
So, today I’d like to look at the question: “Can I know for sure I’m going to heaven?” I realize this discussion can be convoluted by past issues in our lives, not the least of which are theological questions that surround this subject with which you may or may not have wrestled. Just know that I have wrestled with them for years, so I will share my views for what they’re worth. The short answer is absolutely we can know we’re going to heaven! Why else would John say that he was writing so that we may know; however, it can’t be based on a feeling or some past experience, it must be based on what the Bible says and a decision to yield your life and allegiance to Jesus without reservation.
Let’s say for sake of illustration, that at one point in your life you “accepted Jesus” or prayed the “sinner’s prayer.” You may have felt differently in that moment, but within a short time life got hectic and you didn’t give it much more consideration. Or perhaps you were baptized as an infant or young child, but you had no further instruction or conversations with anyone, so, while you were assured you were baptized, it has had no real bearing on your life.
Maybe you used to attend a church or religious organization and you believe you had a relationship with the Lord, but you’ve drifted away and you’re just not sure where you stand with God now. Maybe at one point He felt close and real, but you’re not so sure now. You don’t feel His presence like you once did, and on and on we could go.
As I said, these are my thoughts, so you may or may not agree. All I ask is that you compare what I say with what the Bible teaches and draw your own conclusions. Just one thing I ask, don’t push this off for another day, get it settled in your heart once and for all.
My life in Christ hasn’t been as easy or as consistent as I might have wished, but I’ve never doubted that the Lord was with me and for me. I’ve never intentionally sought to walk away from the Lord, but neither have I always walked as closely with Him as I should have. What’s my point? All of that doesn’t matter today.
What you did or didn’t do; what you did or didn’t believe; how you did or didn’t feel, what you thought, considered important, etc. – none of that matters in this moment. Where are you in your walk with God in this moment? Why does that matter? Because none of us can walk with God in the last moment, it’s gone, and none of us can walk with God in the next moment, it’s not here yet.
The only moment we’ve been given to have a relationship with God and in which to gain certainty that we’re going to heaven is in this moment. So, regardless of what you’ve been through, how inconsistent your walk has been or maybe the thought of walking with God has never crossed your mind until this moment, give Him your life right now, in the only moment you have to do that, then find someone you know who walks with the Lord Jesus and ask them to walk with you on your journey.
Get started by going to Ron Hutchcraft’s Bridge to God video and let him help you start your journey. If I can be of help, my email is walkingwithjesus09@gmail.com.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 