Future Salvation

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine. Oh, what a foretaste, of Glory Divine!” This is one of the most recognized songs of the church and is a favorite of young and old alike. However, for as many as there are that sing it, there are many more that really don’t embrace its’ meaning. The song is a beautiful description of future salvation with Christ in heaven, promised to all believers.

Recently, I felt compelled to ask one of our teens at HBF, who has been actively participating in our ministries and worship services, a question that all believers have at some point in their faith walk been asked: “Where will you spend eternity”? The response was, “I don’t really know for sure”. I was saddened by the response, yet not really surprised. What happens often to believers is that even though they attend church regularly, are taught many lessons from the bible, and hear the word of truth preached, they allow the cares of the world, outside influences, false doctrine and their own doubt, fear and unconfessed sins, cloud the true and clear teaching of God’s Word. For some of our young people, they may not even remember the day that they accepted Christ, and so as they get older they doubt if they even did. It is vitally important for mature believers to stay close to our young ones. We must help them to hold on to the promises of God and to persevere as in Romans 8:22-23. It is okay to have questions, but be very sure that He who promised is faithful and it is God alone who holds on to our eternal salvation. 1Peter 1:3-5.

What blessed assurance for us today in 1 Corinthians 15, that this perishable body we now have will be one day raised imperishable! Death will bring new life. The victory is in Jesus Christ! We simply cannot have life apart from Him – now or later. We can know for sure that we have eternal life. 1 John 5:13.

Getting back to the teen mentioned earlier, I truly believe that because she is surrounded by so many negative influences, and has made some bad personal choices recently, that she may feel disqualified to keep, or unworthy to receive salvation. I have talked to her again and will continue to do so, showing her in the Word that Christ is all that is needed for salvation – from this life to eternal life in heaven. And of course, I will keep her and all of our young ones in my prayers.