A number of years ago, Joanne and I were selected to lead the Evangelism Explosion ministry within Highland Park Presbyterian Church. We all studied the material in depth which was developed by Dr. James Kennedy at Coral Gables Presbyterian Church. Our teams would go out on Thursday night and visit people who had attended the church over the last week or so. While visiting, we respectfully asked if we could share what I’m about to reveal to you.
There are two questions that, for the most part, everyone should be asked and should answer. It is quite revealing if you take them seriously. Here we go.
“Have you reached the point in your spiritual life where you know for certain that if you were to die tonight, you would go to heaven?” Over the years, I’ve heard many varying answers. It actually boils down to a few. Yes, no, maybe, I’m not sure, I hope so. Right now, focus on this intently for your own life, and answer it as honestly as possible. It is addressing assurance of salvation, or not.
In light of your answer to this first question, here is the second one. “Suppose you were to die tonight, and you stood before God and he asked you, “why should I let you into heaven?” What would be your answer(s)? Of all the many answers I’ve ever heard, this one to me was the most sad. The young man said, “my mother sings in the choir.” But seriously, the answer you would give to this question reflects what you are trusting to influence God to allow you to enter into his heaven. So, what is yours?
Right here, I want to share one of the most critical verses as it relates to question 2. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Faith in what, or who? Faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, his resurrection and ascension. This is the gospel in ten words! “Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead.” Read 1 Cor. 15.1-5.
God wants you to have full assurance. John writes, “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (I Jn. 5.11-13).
And John speaks clearly of faith and assurance as he quotes Jesus. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word, and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” ( Jn. 5.24). Have you heard the gospel, and have you believed what the Father has spoken? Then, you are no longer under judgment, and you have immediately passed from death to life. Grace upon grace!!
So, if you now, or even before, have trusted Christ alone for your salvation, wouldn’t it be imperative to share these two questions with people you love, strangers, your enemies, whoever God puts in your path? Because the gospel is the only means for their salvation. Let’s let Paul finish our discussion. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1.16,17 NKJV).
Are you also not ashamed of the gospel? Then, demonstrate it by sharing it, maybe starting with these two questions.