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One of the greatest promises in all of the Bible is found in John 3:16. It is God’s promise to us that he offers eternal life. It says,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

How many of you believe this promise? We are banking on eternity with this promise!

Many Christians struggle to believe the promise. They might not verbally express their fear, but inwardly they live in fear they might not be truly saved or ready for Heaven.

Struggling with this fear as a teenager. Am I saved? Did I do it right? I’m not perfect, when I die, or if Jesus returns, am I ready? By the time I graduated high school I probably prayed the sinners prayer 5,000 times.

I’ve discovered I am not alone in the concern over my salvation. I’ve talked to a lot of Christians who, no matter how many times they pray and ask for God’s forgiveness they can’t find the assurance of salvation. They wonder, “Did I get the prayer right? Was I sorry enough for my sins? Did I repent enough?  Did I understand grace? Did I do it right?

When asked if they know for sure if they are going to heaven when they die, they will answer something like this: “I hope so” or “I think so” or “If I’m good enough.”

I want to be very clear this morning.  Jesus Christ came to save sinners. That’s you and me. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins opening the door for us to be forgiven. Salvation is not based on your works or your good deeds. It’s based on the good works Jesus has done for us.

God offers us salvation, forgiveness of sins, and the promise of eternal life as a gift to us. It’s motivated by His incredible love for us. We receive this gift by believing Jesus Christ is the son of God and in his death and resurrection; and by confessing with our mouth Jesus Christ is Lord.

Can we be sure? Can we have assurance of our salvation? Can we really know that we have eternal life. The answer is yes.

God wants us to know that we have eternal life.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  (1 John 5:13)

Our heavenly father wants us to be secure in his love and in his promise. He doesn’t want us to feel afraid everyday and wonder if we are saved or not.  This is not a Father’s love.

The confidence of our salvation is found and anchored to God’s Word.

Many Christians lack the joy and assurance of their salvation because they will not take God at His word. They do not accept at face value what He says, but rely on their personal feelings instead of on the Scriptures.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” (John 5:24)

Today’s Challenge: If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your savior and Lord, if you have confessed your sins and offered God your repentance, and if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead you are saved. Rest in the promise of God. He will keep his word.

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