- You Can Be Sure!
- Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe in Him.
- But what is eternal life?
- But I already believe that Jesus is God, that He lived a sinless life, and that He died and rose again.
- Is it really that simple?
- But…aren't good works necessary for assurance?
- But…I thought I could lose my salvation.
- Can assurance be lost?
- Shouldn't I feel happy all the time if I'm really saved?
- But…if I were really saved, wouldn't my circumstances be better?
- But…I already made the decision to follow Jesus and to serve Him.
- You mean I really can be sure?
- Now what?
Shouldn’t I feel happy all the time if I’m really saved?
God says…
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!" (John 11:33-36)
"In the world you have tribulation…" (John 16:33)
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
That means…
No. You won’t experience unbroken happiness until you go to be with the Lord. Only then will He wipe away all your tears. Only then will all your sorrows and pains cease.
Many people mistakenly think that once they receive eternal life all of their problems are behind them. Yet that just isn’t true. Even the Lord Jesus Himself groaned and wept over the death of his friend Lazarus. Christians experience tribulation in this life. Grief, depression, family problems, illnesses, injuries, financial problems, and chronic pain are just some of the things Christians have to deal with in their lives.
Feelings are like thermometers. They fluctuate. Sometimes you feel great. Sometimes you feel "lousy." Christians can be bold and strong or fainthearted and weak. Feelings come and go. Just as your knowledge of your earthly citizenship is not based on how you feel ("I’m really discouraged today; I wonder if I’m really an American"), so neither is your knowledge of your heavenly citizenship.
God promised you eternal life if you believed in Christ for it. God doesn’t lie. The Gospel is true. If you have believed in Christ for eternal life, then you have it, even if you’re in great physical or emotional pain. You can depend on His promise regardless of how you feel.
