Blessed Assurance

...but have EVERLASTING LIFE, – John 3:16.

By far the most powerful blessing of the most beloved verse of scripture is its affirming promise of Eternal Life to those who believe. This is the sublime beauty of the Gospel message.

All that every other religion in the world offers is a moral code to follow, after which its devotees may hope to receive some reward of sorts on Judgment Day. But this is hardly comforting, because, no person can claim they will be guiltless before a perfectly Holy and all-knowing/All-seeing God. They may be “holy” by man’s standards, but – except they are completely deluded – they can’t claim guiltlessness before God.

That’s why all that religion offers is try, try and try. Try your best and hope for mercy on Judgment Day. What a precarious philosophy to live by; especially considering there’ll be no second chance if one is found wanting (Heb 9:27).

The Christian Gospel, in contrast, uniquely assures the Believer of the certainty of their salvation right now. Our Lord emphasised this fact in two of His 25 VERILY, VERILYs.

Speaking in Jn 5:24, He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, HAS everlasting life, and shall NOT come into condemnation; But Is Passed From Death Unto Life.” (see also Jn 6:47).

What a refreshing blessing to have; what an assuring anchor to hold on to. Like Zechariah said in Lk 1:74, this frees the Believer to serve God “without fear;” and accords them “boldness in the day of judgment” (1Jn 4:17).

This is the beauty of the Gospel. This is the Truth that must be heard whenever we go out to evangelise: that God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN