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
H. A. Ironside was once speaking with an elderly man who told him that he wanted to be sure of his salvation in Jesus Christ. So Ironside asked him, “Suppose you had a vision of an angel who told you your sins were forgiven. Would that assure you that you’re going to heaven when you die? Would that be enough to rest on?”
The man replied, “Yes, I think it would. An angel would be splendid.”
Ironside continued, “But suppose on your deathbed Satan came and said, ‘I was that angel, transformed to deceive you.’ What would you say?”
The man was speechless. So Ironside told him that God has given us something more dependable than the voice of an angel. He has given His Son, who died for our sins, and He has testified in His own Word that if we trust Him, all our sins are gone. Ironside read today’s passage in 1 John 5:13, and asked, “Is that not enough to rest on? It is a letter from heaven expressly to you!”
So when doubt creeps in, stand on the promises of God and remember that because of your faith in Jesus Christ, you can know you have eternal life!
Prayer Challenge
Ask God to remind you constantly that in Christ, you have every assurance of eternal life.
Questions for thought
Have you ever doubted your salvation? What were the circumstances that surrounded that doubt?
How would your life look different if you consciously rested in the assurance of your salvation?