To as many as received Him to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them who believed on his name.
How could I speak of Joy? After nearly 71 years of marriage my husband left Planet Earth. Why? Because his earth visa (Psalm 139:16) expired and his heavenly citizenship (Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20) was enacted and enforced on his behalf.
I am so glad for him and nothing could shake my absolute confidence that I will see him again with no more partings. But in the meantime – and I don’t know how long the meantime is – my earth visa has not yet expired. I got up early one morning and knew I was a wife. I got up early the next morning with the lonely almost eerie realization that I was a widow. The grief from this fact would be unbearable EXCEPT that I have a written guarantee (Psalm 68:5) from my loving heavenly Father that He is the Protector of widows. I go to Him every day for my morning hug. I have another equally priceless – - written guarantee from the Lord Jesus (Hebrews 13:5) that He will never leave me or forsake me.
Some years ago we had prepaid our funerals and purchased three grave plots for my mother, husband and myself. The funeral director asked me where I wanted my husband’s body placed. Since my mother’s body is on one side, I said to put my husband’s body on the other side. When my earth visa expires my remains can be placed between. I knew that there was no significance to this because our empty-shell decaying bodies will be resurrected (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) and transformed (Philippians 3:21) to be like the glorious body of Christ. There was no significance to where the bodies were placed. But later while thinking about that insignificance, something significant began to grow out of that insignificance. Very often I use my imagination to take me beyond my actual knowledge - - especially if I’m venturing onto holy ground. I pictured my entrance into heaven and for the first time seeing Jesus just as He is. I looked into His wonderful face and I looked into His beautiful love-filled eyes. Then I was prostrate before Him, kissing His nail-pierced feet in adoration and worship. I could feel His loving, gentle hand on my head. As I started to get up I realized there was a person on each side of me, also bowing in worship. Who? My beloved husband and my precious mother and I was between them. No significance to my empty-shell body being in between them in the grave yard but glorious significance to being with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18) for all eternity in a land that knows no parting. So COMFORT one another with this truth. There will be no earthly words to describe my heavenly joy at that time.
Sad? - Yes
Happy? - Sometimes maybe
Joy? - Always
No circumstance can rob believers of their joy which supersedes all sadness and all fluctuating, temporary happiness. We have (Romans 15:13) all JOY and PEACE in believing.
Where does this salvation – joy – peace – comfort – protection come from? Not from religion – not any religion and not from good deeds. PLEASE do not play fast and loose with your eternal soul. Listen to the living Word of Almighty God from the Bible:
Matthew 16:26 --What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?
John 3:16 - - God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Acts 4:12 - - Neither is there any other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
John 14:6 - - Jesus said I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father except through Me.
1 John 5:11-12 - - God has given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life and he that has not the Son of God does not have life.
John 3:36 - - He that believes on the Son has everlasting life and he that does not believe on the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abides on him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 - - For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.
1 Peter 1:18-19 - - You are not redeemed with corruptible things but with the precious Blood 0f Christ.
Colossians 1:20 - - Jesus made peace between God and man through the Blood of His Cross.
John 3:5 - - Except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 9:27 - - It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment.
John 1:12 - - To as many as received Him to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them who believed on his name.
Jesus shed His Blood and suffered the agony of the Cross of Calvary to pay our sin-debt in full by His atonement and provide forgiveness, salvation and assurance of heaven to anyone who would choose to come to Him, confessing their sin and need and receiving Him as their personal Saviour and Lord. We have a free will and can choose to receive the Lord Jesus or we can choose to reject Him.
Our own – personal – free-will choice determines our eternal destiny. Just remember that every choice has consequences. Do not let yourself be deceived. Your salvation depends – not on any church – creed – rites – rituals – prayers – historic knowledge etc.
The resurrection of Jesus proves the victory of His atoning death. Just knowing that will do nothing for you. It’s not about head knowledge but the reality of heart experience. God respects the free will He gave you and you can choose to tell Him that you choose to put your faith in the Lord Jesus and receive Him as your Saviour. Remember – your own choice guarantees your forever- future whether HEAVEN or HELL!
John 1:9, 8:12 - - Jesus is the true light Who came into this world and He is the Light of the world.