Today is a precious day for me.  Forty years ago, June 16^th was a Monday, the first day of summer vacation from school.  I lingered in bed, thankful for a lazy day ahead of me, but already deep in thought about a question posed in a gospel message at church the night before: “are you SURE of heaven?”

The honest answer was – NO.

No, I wasn’t sure, and I wasn’t sure how to become sure.  I believed the Bible to be GOD’s Word.  I trusted Him.  So why wasn’t I confident that I would be with Him in heaven one day?

I wrestled with all I knew about JESUS suffering on the cross to be my Savior, to pay the penalty for my sin – the one thing keeping me from peace with GOD.  But I kept thinking I was missing something.  What was I supposed to do?  To think?  To believe?  How exactly was I to find the confidence in my eternal security I longed to know?

Even at age 12, I was over-thinking everything, desperately searching for anything I could do to ensure my own salvation.  That is when I heard the LORD’s “still small voice” for the very first time.  He broke through all my confusion and brought one simple verse to my mind and heart:  “JESUS said, It is FINISHED.”  (John 19:30, NIV)

My mental gymnastics melted away in that moment.  JESUS had FINISHED the work of securing my salvation!  He did what I was incapable of doing for myself.  My salvation wasn’t dependent upon me at all.  The only sinless Man to ever walk this earth had already met the requirements of holy and righteous GOD – for me!  What more did I need?  A brief moment of doubt crept back in.  Could it be that simple?  Yes!  It absolutely is that simple.

GOD said it, I believe it, that finishes it!

The One who created me also gave His own life to redeem me, to make me right with GOD when there was nothing I could do to make that happen.  JESUS loves me and longs for me to be with Him.  He is preparing a forever home for me, with Him, in heaven!

Forty years later I am more profoundly thankful than ever for my Savior’s COMPLETE work of redemption on my behalf!  Because of JESUS, I stand accepted by GOD, righteous in His eyes, His beloved child.  I KNOW that my Redeemer lives and He is preparing a place for me to dwell with Him in heaven eternally.  I take GOD at His Word, for He is trustworthy – and therefore I AM sure of heaven!  Until that day comes, I pray that He will draw me ever closer to His heart and that my life will bring glory to His Name.

Are YOU sure of heaven?  Do you realize that you CAN be sure?  You can KNOW with certainty that heaven is your eternal home!  Read more here! ~

Truly, Truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word,  and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.  (John 5:24, NASB)

He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of GOD does not have life.  These things I have written to you who believe in the Name of the Son of GOD, THAT YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life.  (1 John 5:12-13, NASB) 

For by grace you have been saved through faith.   And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD.  (Ephesians 2:8, ESV)

For everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved.  (Romans 10:13, NLT)

For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16, ESV)

My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you… I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.  (John 14:2-3, NIV)

#gospel #saved #trustingJESUS #itisFINISHED #peacewithGOD #sureofheaven