That Ye May Know

1 John 5:13 – “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

The evangelist Dwight L. Moody said, “I believe hundreds of Christians are being deceived by Satan concerning their assurance of salvation because they are not willing to take God at His Word. John 5:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

The primary purpose of the first epistle of John is summarized in the 13th verse of chapter 5 where we read, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.” Our confidence therefore is not based on how we feel, but on what God has plainly said.

The remarkable thing about assurance is this; when we rest upon the Word first, we get the feeling afterward. This is well illustrated in the story of a man carrying a bag of potatoes on his back. He was asked by a skeptic, “How do you know you are saved?” Taking a few more steps forward, then letting the potatoes fall, he replied, “How do I know I have dropped the bag? I haven’t looked around.” “No,” replied the critic, but I suppose you can tell by the lessening of the weight.” “Exactly!” said the Christian.
“That’s how I know I am saved. I have lost the guilty feeling of sin and sorrow, and have found peace and satisfaction in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by simply resting on His Word.”

How about you? Are you always questioning your eternal destiny? This is indeed a tragedy. In fact, it is actually sinful to doubt the Word of God which declares that they who believe on Christ are saved. God wants you to be a joyful “know so” Christian!
Remember the old hymn, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh what a foretaste of glory divine!”