Today we enter into the second week of Lent
and we consider Jesus’ second statement from the cross.

Week 2
Word of Assurance: 
Jesus answered him,
“I tell you the truth,
today
you will be
with me
in paradise.”
Luke 23:43

Assurance: a positive declaration intended to give confidence

And this is the testimony: God has given 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 so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:11-13

   The Apostle John understood that we might have days when doubts creep in and niggle at our minds. “Am I really saved?” “What if I missed a step?” “How do I know it’s all true?”

   So John presented his testimony, as under oath in a court of law. He broke it down into four parts.

1. God gave us eternal life.
2. Eternal life comes through Jesus, God’s Son.
3. If you have Jesus, you have eternal life.
4. If you don’t have Jesus, you don’t have eternal life.

     Any questions?

  John’s letter addressed the problem we often wrestle with: we believe in Jesus, but we wonder if we’ve done enough, prayed enough, been good enough. Is it possible to know for sure that we are going to spend eternity in heaven? John says, “yes”. We can know, that we know, that we know.

  Salvation isn’t based on how many Bible studies we attend, if we discover and use our spiritual gifts, or even if we are immersed in baptism. Salvation isn’t about what we bring to the table. It’s about what Jesus accomplished on our behalf. The only question is: Do you have Jesus?

 Do you believe Jesus died in your place to pay for your sins?
 Do you believe He conquered death and rose from the grave?
 Have you surrendered control of your life to Him?
 Are you living for Him and His glory?

If you can say “yes” to these questions, then you can say along with hymn writer Fanny Crosby, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.”

Lord, thank You for these words of assurance. I’m grateful salvation isn’t complicated or confusing, but straightforward and certain. I believe, but help me in my moments of unbelief.