by Pastor Rich Carlson

I don't think I have eternal life. I don't hope I have eternal life. I know I have eternal life. I can speak that confidently not because I am a good person, but because God is faithful, and I believe it. I hope you believe it too. According to the above text, if I "believe in the name of the Son of God," I can "know that I have eternal life." How much clearer can it be?

It seems to me that if something is important to God, I find little or no ambiguity in what He says about it. If it's not clear in God's word then maybe I don't need to make such a big deal out of it. If it seems obscure, I look forward to asking God about it when I get to heaven. But when it's clear, then I'm going to listen very closely and make that message part of my life.

Assurance of eternal life falls into that last category. If I believe, then I can know. Because I choose to believe in God's Son, then I know that I have eternal life, not because I deserve it or have earned it, but because God said so.

My dad taught me this concept by word and example. Three days before he died, I asked him if he really had the assurance of eternal life that he talked so much about. I've heard many answers to that question: I think so, I hope so, I don't know, etc. But my dad’s answer is the best. He simply said, "Of course." And that was the last thing he said directly to me.

That assurance gives me the anchor point for my life, and it directs my choices. If I'm already assured of salvation, then I want to live for Him like I believe it. And I want the same for you. Have a great day of absolute assurance, lived out in your life.    

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.