You Can Know

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” — 1 John 5:13 (KJV)

Can a Christian actually know they belong to God and are going to heaven? Some people think it is proud to be sure. Moody disagreed. He says it is “the privilege of every child of God” to know.

He points out that John wrote his Gospel so that people would believe, and his first letter so that believers would know. Moody says that in that short letter of five chapters, the word “know” appears over forty times. “It is ‘Know! Know!! KNOW!!!’”

Moody says doubts don’t just make us miserable; they stop us helping other people. “If I seem in danger of drowning and do not know whether I shall ever reach the shore, I cannot assist another.” You need to be standing on solid rock before you can pull someone else out of the water.

Moody quotes another famous preacher, Charles Spurgeon, about animals. A stork never asks whether it has the right to build its nest in a fir tree. A wild goat never asks whether it’s allowed on the rocky crag that suits it. They just use what God has provided. Spurgeon says:

“Yet, though these dumb creatures know the provision of their God, the sinner does not recognize the provision of his Saviour.”

We say, “I’m afraid it’s not for me,” or “It’s too good to be true.” But nobody ever promised the stork that its nest would never be pulled down. Jesus has promised: “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Moody tells of travelling down the Mississippi River and watching people light the guiding lights along the banks each evening, so pilots could steer safely. He says God has given us “lights” in the Bible to show whether we are his children. In 1 John 3 he finds several: Jesus came to take away our sins; we love other Christians; and more.

Assurance doesn’t rest on how you feel today. It rests on what Jesus has done and what God has said. Feelings go up and down. God’s promises don’t.

If you often struggle with doubts about whether you are really saved, you are not alone. Talk to a pastor or youth leader you trust. Sometimes it helps to have someone remind you of God’s promises.

One thing to do this week: read 1 John this week, a chapter a day. Every time you see the word “know”, underline it or write it down. At the end of the week, write a short list: “Things God says I can know.”