Resting in Him

As I witness to people, one of the most common misconceptions I hear them express is that our eternal destiny will be settled after we die. Many think that their deeds will be measured and if they have done “enough” good things, they will be allowed into Heaven. Of course we know the truth that each person’s destiny is determined by whether they accept Christ as Savior. Yet salvation is so much more than just our getting to go to Heaven—it is also peace, comfort and security while we are here on Earth.

Timothy Dwight, the grandson of Jonathan Edwards who went on to become president of Yale University, wrote, “Christ is the only, the true, the living way of access to God. Give up yourselves therefore to Him, with a cordial confidence, and the great work of life is done.” Though there is work God has for us to do as His children, there is no work which we can or must do in order to become His children. That which we could never do for ourselves has already been done for us by our loving Saviour.”

This knowledge should give us confidence. Rather than being tormented by doubt and uncertainty, we can place complete trust in the promise of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ as our substitute. We do not need to fear the future. This knowledge should also give us a sense of urgency to share the gospel with others. When we take the Good News to the lost, we are offering them God’s gift of eternal life as well as the blessings for this life that come from being a child of God.

Today’s Gospel Declaration Principle:

Rejoice today in the fact that, because of Christ, your eternal future and present relationship with God is settled and secure.