Ministers Blogs
“Do you know who you believe in?”
Categories: Christian Principles, EvangelismTonk Talk
Joe Bailey in his book "A View From a Hearse" tells of the day his boy died of cancer. He had returned to the clinic to thank them for their kindness and care of his son. As he spoke to the receptionist, she motioned toward a woman whose son was playing quietly with toys in the waiting area. "He has the same cancer your son had," she said. "Why don’t you go over and see if you can talk with her.” Bailey went reluctantly over to sit next to her and they whispered just out of hearing of the boy. "It must be hard bringing him in for the treatments," he said, more a statement than a question. "Hard," she turned with anguish in her eyes. "I die every time I have to bring him in. What makes it worse is that I know it’s not going to stop the cancer and that he’s going to die.” Uncomfortable, Bailey ventured: "Still it is some comfort to know that when that happens there is no more pain and suffering and that they go to a better place.” "No," with hardness in her voice. "When he dies, I’m just going to bury him in the cemetery, and I’ll never see him again. "Bailey wanted to leave. It was uncomfortable to be reminded of his loss and even more uncomfortable to speak with this woman who obviously had no hope in any way. Then he spoke quietly, "I buried my boy just yesterday, and I’ve only come today to thank the doctors and nurses for their kindness. I know what you’re feeling but I also know that there is a better life for my son now." "How could you believe such a thing," she challenged. And then Joe Bailey told her about Jesus.
The hymn writer tells us "I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me he has made known. Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love, redeemed me for His own.... But I know whom I have believed….” (By Daniel Webster Whittle).
Do you know who you believe in? The Bible tells us that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Then in Mark 16:16 we see that belief results in one being baptized into Christ, and once one is baptized, they continue believing in Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6). Without the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, there is no Heaven for the sinner.
As we go through this week remember what Christ has done and is doing to give eternal life to those who believe and obey the Gospel. Ask yourself, “If the Lord were to come right now. Would I know for sure, nothing doubting that I would go to Heaven to be with Christ?
Written by Mark T. Tonkery
