What do you hope for?

Thank you for joining me on this journey as I delve deeper into God’s Word concerning the statements that we, as born again, Spirit filled believers can make about ourselves. You can read the statements here.

I have decided to study the first four statements together, namely:

-      I have eternal life

-      My sins have been forgiven.

-      I am a citizen of Heaven

-      My name is written in the Book of Life

To me, these four statements form the foundation of our hope. Because we believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, our sins have been forgiven and our names are written in the Book of Life. We now have the promise of eternal life in Heaven. (Rom 10:9)

So, let’s take a closer look at these statements…

My sins have been forgiven

We are all sinners and we cannot live up to God’s standards, no matter how holy or good we think we are (Rom 3:23). Even the smallest sin places us under the domain of darkness and eventually under the penalty of sin, which is death (Rom 6:23). 

Paul was called by Jesus to go to the gentiles and “to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God's people, who are set apart by faith in me.'” Acts 26:18 NLT

That is why Paul told the Colossians: “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Col. 1:13-14 NLT

Because of His mercy He saved us, washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5). That’s what it means to be born again.

We are now righteous before God (2 Cor. 5:21). We have been cleansed of our sins by the blood of Jesus (1Jo 1:7, Mat 26:28, Rev. 7:14, Heb. 9:12,28, Acts 10:43).

Are you a born again, Spirit filled child of God? Then, according to God’s Word, your sins have been forgiven.

I have eternal life in Heaven because my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

What does it mean to have eternal life?

The keyword here is life. Every single person will face eternity. John saw all the dead standing before God’s throne to be judged. All the dead. Read Revelation 20:12-13. Not a single person who has ever lived or are still to be born will escape this judgement. 

Even if you don’t believe in God or eternity. You will face eternity and you will face God. Like it or not.

On that day you will hear your fate. The books will be opened and if your name is not found in the Book of Life your eternity will be the second death and you will spend it in the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14-15, 21:8,27). It will not be eternal life but eternal death.

So how do you obtain eternal life? It’s pretty straightforward: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:12 ESV

If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you have the Son. Then you have conquered the devil and your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Rev. 3:5, 12:11, 21:27, Mal. 3:16, Luke 10:20)

As a born again child of God you have eternal life. It is a sure promise from God. (1 John 2:25, John 3:16, 6:37, 1Th 5:10, Rom 8:11)

Jesus promised that He will come back and take us to where He is (Jhn 14:3).  In fact, Paul claimed that we are already citizens of Heaven (Phil 3:20-21). What a wonderful expectation!

That’s the hope that lives in us and we must always be ready and willing to explain that hope to others (1 Peter 3:15). That’s our purpose.

Never forget that you are part of a bigger picture.

What is your story? Leave a comment and share your testimony. We are urged to encourage each other (Rom 1:12, 1 Thes. 5:11). Who knows? Perhaps your story will be the encouragement somebody out there has been waiting for.

God bless

Madeleine

PS: Remember that you can read the Bible verses by hovering over them with you mouse if you are reading on a laptop or desktop. If you are reading on your smartphone or tablet, just click on the verse and then anywhere on your screen again to continue reading the post.