You Can Know You’re Heaven Bound
Well, howdy-do and mercy me, friend, come on up on this ol’ front porch before that ol’ hot sun bakes you like a skillet of cornbread left too close to the fire for too long. I’m mighty glad you’re here. Grab that ol’ rocker over yonder that gits to groanin’ like an ol’ beaver that tried to chew on a log too big for its britches and git yourself settled in real good. We’re about to wander through God’s Word together, and I reckon it’ll steady your heart better than a fresh batch of sweet peach preserves coolin’ on the counter especially when it comes to knowin’ for certain that you’re saved and Heaven-bound.
John 10:28 says, “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” And coupled mighty well with that verse is 1 John 5:5, which tells us, “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Friend, that there’s the heartbeat of assurance. John lays out three cords of certainty, each one strong enough to hold you steady even if life plum shakes you like a lil’ ol’ squirrel clingin’ to a branch in a windstorm.
First, comes the atoning work of Christ. 1 John 5:6 tells us, “This is He who came by water and blood.” The blood speaks of His sacrifice. The water speaks of His cleansin’. Together they declare that salvation is not flimsy or fragile. Romans 3:23 reminds us that “the wages of sin is death, but Jesus paid that penalty fully.” His blood plum saves us. His cleansin’ sho’-nuff’ keeps us. And, friend, Hebrews 10:14 says, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” That there’s some real assurance that don’t wobble one tiny bit.
Second, comes the abidin’ witness of the Spirit. 1 John 5:6 also tells us, “It is the Spirit who bears witness because the Spirit is truth.” Before we ever even knew who Jesus was, the Spirit was downright nudgin’ our hearts like a determined lil’ ol’ beaver nudges a log into place. And once we believe, 1 John 5:10 says, “He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself.” The Spirit don’t whisper maybe. He plum confirms Christ’s work with certainty.
Third, comes the Word of the Father. 1 John 5:11 says, “This is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” God’s Word don’t git to wobblin’ like a loose porch board. It stands real firm. From Genesis to Revelation, the message is one: Jesus saves.
Eternal life ain’t no kind of a “hope so” sort of thing. It’s a sho’-nuff’ promise from the One who cannot lie. And, friend, 2 Timothy 1:12 backs it up real strong, sayin’, “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” That there’s downright assurance that’ll hold steady even when your feelings and the life your’ livin’ plum don’t.
Father, thank you for the certainty of salvation. Thank you for the blood that saves, the water that cleanses, the Spirit who witnesses, and the Word that assures. Help me live with confidence in your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Well now, friend, bless my boots and pass me some of them buttered biscuits over here! I reckon it’s sho’nuff’ about the time for you to git to carryin’ this here truth right on into the rest of your day holdin’ it the way a determined lil’ ol’ squirrel guards a hickory nut it plans to bury for safekeepin’ till winter. Remember that God’s promises hold firmer than an ol’ barn beam cut from seasoned oak. Move forward with the calm confidence of a lil’ ol’ barn cat that plum knows exactly which sunny patch of floor is worth claimin’. And keep your heart anchored real deep to the Lord’s assurance, friend, because His truth plum shines clearer than a sunrise spillin’ golden sun rays across a quiet pasture.
With joy,
Gwen
