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Friday, July 18, 2008
Assurance of salvation
By David Jeremiah / Baptist Press
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EL CAJON, Calif. (BP)--As Christians, we've been given a genuine deed to heaven -- the promise of eternal life, an inheritance and a mansion that can never be foreclosed on. Our ownership in Christ is documented in the Word of God, and our names are registered in the Lamb's Book of Life. But many Christians fear that a thief -- the devil -- is going to rob them of their title deed. They have little assurance of ownership.

Paul's attitude was, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul also wrote, "Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Job said: "I know that... after my skin is destroyed... that in my flesh I shall see God" (Job 19:25-26).

THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE

Our salvation is guaranteed because Christ himself paid the price. He "purchased (us) with His own blood" (Acts 20:28) once for all -- "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). He said, "I give them eternal life." No mights, ifs, ands or buts.

THE PROTECTION OF ETERNAL LIFE

We also have the protection of eternal life: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:28).

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we're placed in His hand. And His hand is in the hand of the Father, "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand" (John 10:29).

We're in a hand within a hand -- safely enclosed in the hand of Christ, and the hand of Christ is securely encased in the hand of the Father. No one can pluck us out of those omnipotent fingers!

The Psalmist said, "Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psalm 16:8). But we can say, "Because I am in His right hand, I shall not be moved" -- not moved, afraid, insecure or worried.

THE PROOF OF ETERNAL LIFE Continued...
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Reply # 1
Date: Jul 19, 2008 - 1:54 AM EST
Subject: Hmmm...
As a liberal, I try to stay open minded, but some of this does seem a little strange. I mean, you have your right to believe that you need to live by a book written thousands of years ago to avoid some hellish afterlife, but i do have a few problems with the people who aren't given the freedom to choose.

I grew up in an interfaith community. I learned about Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddusm, and tons of other religions. I loved that freedom, knowing that no matter what I choose to believe, I would be accepted.

Many Evangelicals, Orthodox Jews, Extremist Muslims, etc. , however, press religion on their children through the means to religious school, totally immersement in the religion, and even threats.

Is it really right that people continually press their beliefs on their children, without educating them in the beliefs of any other religions?

Bear in mind, Jesus was Jewish. Would he want evangelicals pressing their religion on people besides themselves?
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Reply # 2
Date: Jul 20, 2008 - 9:21 PM EST
Liberal Kiana
I am so sorry you feel you have the freedom to reject the beliefs of other religions but still be "accepted by them." In our great nation, unlike most of the countries of this world, a person is entitled to believe as he chooses.

To be "accepted" as a Muslim, however, I suspect you would need to adopt a different set of values. Certainly that is true of Christianity. Your right to reject the Good News of Jesus Christ is given by God, and would certainly be position of real Christians. That we would encourage you to accept that Good News is simply our desire for you to enjoy the joys of our belief. Your acceptance would simply increase our joy.

Of the Ten Commandments which have received so much attention throughout the ages, 40% deal with the relationship of man to God. 60% deal with the relationship of man to man. While eternal life, the escape from "some hellish afterlife" as you describe, is one of the messages of Christianity, a greater message is the joy of living this fleeting moment of life on earth to its fullest.

Make no mistake, our Bible teaches there is a heaven and a hell, but it teaches that life within the will of our God represents riches greater than gold. Those riches are yours for the taking. God loves you.
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