17. Can I know for sure whether I am chosen and have eternal life?
Do you believe that the Lord Jesus died for your sins on the cross too and do you follow Him daily? Do you trust Him with all your heart? Then you can know for sure you are chosen and will have eternal life. Do you know why? Because God's Word tells us the following:And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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 5:11-13).
The dangers of searching for certainty about your election are the following:
- If you first try to be sure you are chosen and only then want to believe in the Lord Jesus, you will not have any certainty;
- If you first want to feel you are chosen and only then want to believe in the Lord Jesus, you will also not have any certainty.
An example: Napoleon
Napoleon tried to hold a speech seated on his horse on top of a hill. As he was speaking, his horse became so agitated, it became uncontrollable. The officers surrounding Napoleon were too afraid to help. But when the horse started to rear, a common soldier stepped forward from the ranks. While all generals and captains were unable to move, this sim
ple soldier jumped in front of the horse and risked his life for Napoleon. Of course he had no idea how this would end. Still he grabbed the animal's reins and managed to calm it down. Napoleon looked down from his horse and said to the soldier, “Thank you very much, captain!” The soldier turned around and joined the ranks of the captains. He believed what Napoleon had said to him. He didn't say, “Oh no, Mister Bonaparte, I don't feel that way! I'm not worthy!” No. He believed he was a captain now, because Napoleon himself had said so. That was the only reason.
The same applies to you: if you personally believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, He says to you, “You will have eternal life.” Then you may know for sure that you have been chosen!
A thought to ponder on your own
Read John 6:47. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus died for your sins on the cross too?
Do you trust in Him only?
Can you be sure you are chosen and have eternal life?