Answer this ultimate question: What makes you think or know that you have eternal life?
In two recent conversations, one question rose to summarize our discussions: “How do we know when we are destined for heaven”?
The first talk came in the context of making clear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and explaining what it takes to receive the Good News and the forgiveness and eternal life Jesus promised.
The second conversation came during a celebration of the life of the first of 8 siblings to pass into eternity. While speaking with others attending the service, I related that at my father’s funeral service in 1977, while standing at the side of his casket, I realized that the only question that needed to be asked and answered was this one: “At this moment in time, knowing my Dad was no longer with us, what was the only decision or choice Dad had made that was still relevant to him?”
In my search for answers, what I have discovered is the answer to a mystery; namely, what is God’s attitude toward us and what is His desire for us? He is FOR us and wants “all men (people) everywhere to be saved”. My heavenly Father has made it possible for each and every human being that has lived, is living, or will live to be “saved and come to a knowledge of the truth”. “It is not God’s will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Right?
(1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2; Romans 8:31)
He allows us to ask the questions that get us to the point where we are open to know the answer. He uses (not creates) circumstances to show us we need Him and each other. He reveals joy and happiness, sorrow and pain, forgiveness, mercy and love to convince our hearts to trust Him, but He won’t force His will on us. He doesn’t have to do that. He loves us and gives us freedom to choose Him and the gifts He offers. We can have the forgiveness paid for by the blood of Jesus at the cross of His execution; or we can choose to try to be our own boss and just hope we are good enough. We’re not. Jesus is.
Have you asked the ultimate question? Have you answered it satisfactorily? The recent passing of my brother has “sobered me” to the point of realizing that I must “redeem the time”. I am trying to do that. We are a transient vapor that appears for a while then vanishes. Inevitably we’ll discover that the most important question (not the only one) we must answer correctly is this: Have I received the love of God and His invitation to eternal life by giving up my right to live as I choose and living submitted to His will? My dad, my mom, and my recently deceased brother asked and answered that question, and today they are enjoying the eternal life promised by God Himself.
I have, too. Have you? Will you ask enough questions to get to the ultimate one?