By Mike McEuen, Pastor • New Beginnings Baptist Church • Ferris, Texas
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
John wrote his gospel to carefully demonstrate that Jesus Christ is the true Son of God and set before us the greatest choice of life. We are responsible to decide today whom we will obey.
We have all heard the common saying, “Seeing is believing,” but is it really? Seeing is believing only in an earthly, physical sense. Believing is seeing in the spiritual realm of things. Jesus proclaimed, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). John wrote very specifically that all who believe in Jesus Christ have everlasting life, not “will have,” “might have” or “hope to have” everlasting life!
Everlasting life begins at the moment, at the very second, at the very instant that we place saving faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is essential in salvation.
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:12-14).
Our “heart” speaks of the seat of our spiritual life. Salvation gives us new hearts, new desires and new spirits. The Hebrew writer encouraged steadfast fellowship with other believers, talking daily about our mutual faith and encouraging one another with love and concern. One proof of salvation is our love for the brethren. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (I John 3:14). Faith is essential in salvation.
“For without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Faith acts as if Jesus Christ is there all the time and joyfully discovers that He really is!
Remember that to trust Jesus Christ is the ultimate of simple common sense. But to doubt Jesus Christ is the very height of foolishness. To trust Jesus is eternal life. To doubt Jesus is eternal damnation. “The wrath of God abideth on him!”
Make certain that you know that you know that you know Jesus!
