Today we continue our series entitled, “God Loves You”, under the overall theme for the year of, “Supernatural Manifestation.” Yesterday I preached a message entitled, “Love is the Key.” In the message, I brought up two points from 1 John 4:17 that I will discuss today. The second point is something I will deal with for the entire week.
The Apostle John said:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(1 John 4:16, 17 KJV)
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s get into the two points I said I would discuss.
1. The only way you can make it into heaven is IN Jesus.
a) I was raised in the Catholic church (Note: before I go any further, my experience is not an indictment against the Catholic church. My experience is simply an indictment against my ignorance). I participated in many church services and I was faithful to the routine/religious practices I was taught. But I did not truly know Jesus. When I joined the Army I remember someone asking me, “Are you saved?” To which I replied, “Well, if anyone is saved, I am! I lived in church growing up.” My concept was: I am a generally good person, I have attended many church services, I was baptized as a child, I completed first communion and confirmation, and I should therefore make it into heaven. The truth is, I was clueless and many people are equally clueless today. You don’t get into heaven because of church attendance or good works. You can only get into heaven because of JESUS!
b) When you stand before God on the Day of Judgment, the only correct answer to the question, “Why should I allow you into my heaven?”, is, “Because Your Son, Jesus, is my Lord!” There is no other reason.
c) The Bible teaches us that we can actually stand before God with a level of boldness on the Day of Judgment. How can we have boldness? The answer is simple. We don’t have boldness because of us. We can have boldness because of Him! As Jesus is, so are we, in this world!
d) Our confidence for eternal life is in Christ and Christ alone! I know I am going to heaven. Not because I am so good, but because Jesus is and I am IN Jesus. I am not perfect, but Jesus was perfect for me. I am not holy, but Jesus was holy for me. And since I am now IN CHRIST, all that Jesus is — perfection, holiness, sanctification, etc. — is who I am. I am, because He is!
e) I can have confidence to stand before God on the Day of Judgment, because I am in Christ and He has already been judged. My sin was judged in Jesus. Jesus paid my debt on the cross. Sin is no longer an issue for me. I am not free TO sin. I am free FROM sin.
2. Salvation is only half the story.
a) Please hear my heart. I am not devaluing salvation in any way. I will never cease to give God praise for sending His Son to die in my place. I thank God for Jesus every day! I never want to forget what it was like for me to give my life to Jesus. My salvation experience is dear to me. The point I am making here is that salvation is NOT the destination. Salvation is actually your starting point. The day I made Jesus my Lord was amazing. But the next day I was still here. God did not take me to heaven. Why not? Because He sent me to this earth for a purpose and me being IN CHRIST, was simply my positioning for that purpose. Once I was IN CHRIST and filled with the Holy Spirit, I was in position to begin an amazing journey towards God’s overall expected end for my life.
b) God wants you to make it to heaven. But He did not send you to this world only to save you from it. He sent you to this world to change the world through you. God wants you to be a conduit of His glory. God wants to reveal what heaven is like through you. This only happens post-salvation.
I will discuss this second point all week. I am looking forward to it.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I can say this with confidence, because I know You love me. You love me with an everlasting love. You made plans for me before the world began. You tirelessly pursued me until I accepted Your Son, Jesus, as my Lord. You filled me with Your Spirit. You reveal Your purpose to me. You invite me to experience Your best. You manifest Your glory through me. The reality of Your love and the presence of Jesus IN me, helps me to say, “I know I am going to heaven some day. But for now, I am going to enjoy the ride. Because as Jesus is, so am I, in this world!” I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
