Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
Uncertainty. Anxiety. Fear. These thoughts and emotions are among the most prevalent in today’s “unprecedented” times. (Well, they’re not that unprecedented, but that’s another story.) In fact, the CDC—right or wrong, everyone’s go-to resource these days—recently reported that 25.5% of young American adults between 18 and 24 have considered suicide between May and June due to our nation’s response to COVID-19. This same study also noted that 13.3% of survey respondents claim they had turned to substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, to cope with stress caused by the pandemic.*
The economic impacts to families, communities, and our nation have also been catastrophic on many levels. And, young children are facing long-term emotional and psychosocial damage from suspended schooling and other mandated actions. The list goes on and on and on as to valid reasons for sustained dread and insecurity.
But there is good—no, great—news! A “sure thing” is available to us all.
There is blessed assurance in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. When we accept what Jesus accomplished on our behalf, we can be absolutely secure in our current standing with God and our eternal destination (John 5:24; 10:28). It’s not about our good-versus-bad tally each day (we’d all fail there, friends). It’s not about our church attendance or donation totals. Salvation (our sinful nature traded for Jesus’ righteousness) is not dependent on what we do—or don’t do. It only requires a decision to trust the Lord and surrender all those efforts to Him and His work alone (Romans 10:9; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
And this certainty is not based on our feelings. I’m confident that many Christians (if not all of us) doubt our salvation because we’re not “feeling” close to God. We will have mountaintop experiences and valley seasons. We’ll struggle with our ungodly words and actions. Maintaining “the joy of the Lord” can be a challenge. But we’re in good company—just read David’s Psalms or anything from the Apostle Paul!
So, if you’re reading this, and you’re already a believer, you can rest easy amid today’s tumult. Your security in Christ is a sure thing no one can take away. And, if you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, why not make today the day (2 Corinthians 6:2)? All you have to do is let go of your uncertainty, release the idea that being “good enough” is good enough for an eternity in heaven. Just believe that, on the cross of Calvary, Jesus exchanged His life for yours—your penalty has been paid in full. Just believe and be forgiven—and you’ll be a new creation (1 John 1:9; 2 Cor 5:17).
After all, we could all use a sure thing right now.
encouraged by grace 