Sunday, May 25, 1997 In Your Absence:
In this week's lesson, which came from II Corinthians 1:21-22, II Corinthians 5:1-5, and Ephesians 1:11-14, we saw that the Holy Spirit gives us assurance of our salvation and that He gives us a taste of things to come in eternity. Many people "hope" that they are saved and that they will someday go to heaven. Many "think" that they are saved and that they will someday be in heaven. However, based on the authority of I John 5:13, we do not have to merely hope or think that we are all right. We can know that we have been saved and that heaven will one day be our eternal home. Our heavenly Father has established us with Christ, He has anointed and sealed us unto salvation, and He has given us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as our surety against the future. Because of these things, we can have confidence in and with Him.
In writing to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to make some interesting parallels between our temporal life on earth and our eternal life in heaven. First, he made reference to our earthly tabernacle as being a "tent," which is a temporary structure, and to our heavenly home as being a "building," which is a permanent structure. When we leave the trials and tribulations of this life behind, we will go to an eternity with God which will be permanent and never pass away. The Apostle Paul also talked about us as being "unclothed" and "clothed," which was his way of saying that we will be complete and fulfilled once we have left this life. Remember that we, who are Christians, are being conformed to the image of Christ, and with our separation from this life, that that conforming process will be complete.
How can we know that these promises about our ultimate fulfillment and our eternity in heaven are true? The answer is by the Holy Spirit Who lives within us and tells us that these things are true. None of us are smart enough or spiritual enough to know these truths except that the Holy Spirit reveal them to us. Because of Him, we can have confidence in and knowledge about our Lord, plus we can also catch a glimpse of what our eternity will actually be. However, these benefits are not enjoyed by all! The Apostle Paul indicated that we must hear and then we must believe. We must open our heart to Jesus as Savior and let Him apply His completed work to our life. If you have never done so, then please put your trust today in Christ's finished work on the cross. He was our Sacrifice, and He offered Himself so that we can have forgiveness with God and spend eternity with Him. If you have already put your trust in Him, then please be faithful and tell someone what the Lord has done for you. It is often by the words of our mouth that others are drawn to the Lord. Never underestimate your value and importance to the work of God's kingdom!
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Send email to: tlee6040@aol.com