An assured salvation Week 5, 2014

One frequent issue with people who have come to the alter praying to have God cleanse them and give new life is the question “Has God accepted me? How can I be sure?” In accepting assurances the qualification of the one giving it is critical. The one giving assurance must be trustworthy and qualified. Have you recently prayed to have God cleanse you? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? A number of people wonder if God heard the prayer. Some people immediately have a sense of peace and assurance. If you feel no different now that you made the prayer hear the word of the Lord: Jesus told him, "I tell you with certainty, today you will be with me in Paradise."Lk 23:43(ISV).  No less a person than the Lord offers this assurance, and it applies not only to this thief on the cross. It apples to all who come to Him. Jesus says “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” Jn 6:37(ESV). You have come, and He readily welcomes you from that moment of your decision.

I say to you with certainty;  it is no guess-work as to your status once you have repented and called Jesus into your heart trusting His shed blood to save you. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life 1Jn 5:13(ISV). It is no gamble, and God wants you to know, not to be in doubt. Other faiths tell you “maybe”, “try your best and hope for the best”. False teachings give false hope but Jesus is certain. Know it.

Has Jesus come into your heart? When someone knocks at your house, someone you want to come in and who also wants to come in, how long does it take for him to enter when you say “Come in!”? An hour, a day, or immediately? You got it right: immediately. Now Jesus says “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me” Rev 3:20(ESV). He’s wanted to come into your heart all these years and finally you tell Him “Come in Jesus”. How can he delay? He won’t! When do you have that eternal life? Today. The tense of 1Jn 5:13 is present continuous. You have, not may have, and not will have.

Jesus said to the thief “today you will be with me”: your past sins are not too heavy. Jesus said “today you will be with me” to the thief: He says “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in” to all. The same certainty of His abiding presence. Believe Him.

It is not when you die that you will start to be with Jesus, it is now and forever. He is with you now, at death, and after death. God has said, "I will never leave you or abandon you."Heb 13:5(ISV)  From today be with Him for eternity.