Home Safe

“God saved you by his grace when you believed.  And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” ~ Ephesians 2:8 NLT

Ever since my husband retired we have planned a big trip every year.  As a result, we have had the privilege of visiting many countries.  However, after our adventures it is always wonderful to return home.  There I feel safe, comfortable sleeping in my own bed, eating the food we know is good for us.

I assume we will feel much the same way when we go home to Heaven to be with Jesus.  All the old fears and concerns will fade away.  Our spirits will make a deep sigh as they sink more into Holy Spirit and relish soaking in the love and majesty of our Savior.  Heaven is our true home, a place of uninterrupted rest, love, peace, and joy.

Are you certain where you will be if you died tomorrow? Nothing is sadder, or more unnecessary, than coming across a true believer who is doubting her salvation.  But our enemy is an expert at accusing us, telling us that God could never forgive what we did. Or bombarding us with doubts. “Can God be trusted?” “Am I worthy enough?”

The Bible is clear, as Ephesians 2:8 above confirms, that our salvation is a GIFT.  A gift does not depend on the receiver’s worthiness.  Once given, it belongs to the receiver.  Our salvation never depended on our earning it.  It has always depended solely on the finished work of Jesus, his sacrifice on our behalf.  Our sin and old nature died with Christ on the Cross.  Our shame, sin, fears, the lies that entangled us, all of it, were nailed to the cross and covered in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.  His blood washed us white as snow.

“Okay.” you may be thinking, “but can I lose my salvation?”  Again, the Bible is clear.  God created us and chose us before the creation of the earth.  Psalm 139 says that every day of our lives were written in his book before one came to pass. He knows us, and knew everything that would happen.  Paul writes that we were his “enemies” when he saved us.  Nothing surprises God.  He does not go, “Oops! I didn’t know she was going to be this bad!”  He knew everything about us, and he chose to love us and adopt us as his daughters anyway.  Grace.

How can we be sure? Ephesians 1:14 says that the Holy Spirit in us is God’s guarantee of our inheritance and gives us assurance that God has purchased us to be his own people, his children. Is there evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life?  If you are growing in Christ, allowing the Spirit to guide you more and more, then relax.  Be assured that you belong to God.  He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.  You are in his heart and his Spirit is in you as a guarantee.

So, rejoice with me!  When the journey and adventure of this life is over, we have a glorious home to return to.  We can rest assured that Jesus has already purchased the ticket home.

Pray with me: Father God, thank you for choosing me and adopting me into your holy, royal family. I believe that the Holy Spirit is in me now, and that I have the assurance of living with you forever. Please, forgive me when I doubt you.  Thank you that my salvation has never depended on what I do, but solely on what Jesus has done for me.  I will always belong to you. I pray this in the compassionate, merciful name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Dear friend, be blessed to rest in the assurance of being God’s daughter forever! Rejoice in your inheritance.  You will always be loved, accepted and belong to God. Be blessed as you share this assurance with others.  Amen.
Mary Sumner, February 29, 2020