Q: [What will your response
be?]
A: Every person’s story is different, but there arrives in each
life a moment in which a man or woman takes a position, deciding either for or
against Jesus Christ.
At one rather formal dinner, I was seated next to a member of European royalty.
During the course of that dinner, this princess asked me how she might know with
certainty that she had eternal life. That evening, I explained she had to make a
choice, a choice the Bible says we’re all invited to make. That choice is to
humble ourselves before God and in prayer:
• Tell God that we believe in the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ—all that
Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter really mean.
• Ask God for His free gift of salvation—complete forgiveness of sins, an
absolutely cleansed conscience, a new heart, God’s indwelling presence, eternal
life, and a warm welcome into God’s family forever.
Later, I received a note from this princess, confirming that she had prayed to
receive Jesus Christ into her heart and life and now had the assurance of
salvation. She was so happy to be at peace with God. She was overjoyed to be
experiencing His power at work within her.
ASSURANCE IN LIFE...AND DEATH
Christ is alive! And because He is alive, that makes all the difference in the
world. In His resurrection evil has been defeated, love has conquered hate,
death has lost its sting, and Satan has been defeated. Christ on the cross—He
declared that the full penalty for sin has been paid. And one day all of
creation will burst forth into a new song.
Christ is alive! The early Christians proclaimed that truth. They believed that
the same power that raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will work in and through
us to rescue us from our doubts, our darkness, our failure, and even our death.
As we look at the world today we cannot help but be disturbed by what is
happening. But the resurrection of Christ tells us as His followers that we need
not press the panic button. It is true that we are concerned and burdened and it
is certain we are going to die, but we do not cry in terror as others do.
The day before John Huss, a 15th century martyr condemned for his faith in
Christ, was to be burned at the stake, he wrote, “I write this in prison and in
chains, expecting tomorrow to receive the sentence of death—full of hope in God
that I shall not swerve from the truth.”
Is this hope and peace and joy yours? Can you face death with a smile, with full
confidence that you are going into the presence of Christ? You can have this
hope if you are willing to turn from sin and trust Christ. You can do it now.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that
God raised Him from the dead you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).