The Security of Eternity

I heard the end of a sermon on the radio about eternity last week.

It talked about looking at an old epitaph from a headstone in a graveyard that read something to the effect of "Finally realizing his eternal promise."

The pastor pointed out that the epitaph had it wrong.

Once you accept Christ,

that very moment, 

you get the eternal promise. 

Eternity is realized.

I hope that poor guy didn't walk around not knowing that.

Thinking he was always just moments away from a backslide or lost salvation.

God isn't fickle.

What He says is done is done.

Once you truly accept that Jesus is your Lord and Savior, YOU. ARE. SEALED. 

There is nothing you can do about it 

so stop letting some false teacher 

bully you into a guilt trip 

that will cost you every ounce of joy 

and confidence 

and security 

you get once you accept the 

God gift of eternal salvation.

Eternal means without beginning or end; existing through all time; everlasting.

If some churches would just preach that, there would be far less sour faced people 

sitting in their congregations.

Sour faced because they are so caught up 

in their own keeping of their salvation 

(or someone else's) 

that they don't have the energy for joy 

or confidence.

God knew we'd make lousy sin managers so he sent Jesus to earth to take care of it once and for all-- on the cross.

So the department of Sin Management was eliminated.

Much to the Pharisee's chagrin.

You still see a few pop up every now and then.

Pointing fingers.
Shaming.
Bullying.
Trying to keep score.

But those of us that cling tight to our eternity,

could care less.

That's why the angels said to the shepherds,

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

The time of fear was over.

It was a time of good tidings and great joy.

A few years ago, I read a great blog post about The Charlie Brown Christmas episode.

When a frustrated Charlie Brown, trying to direct the Christmas Pageant, asks if anyone knows what the real meaning of Christmas is, Linus walks to the middle of the stage and quotes Luke 2.

When he gets to the part when the angels say, "Fear not," Linus drops his security blanket.

He quotes the rest of  Luke 2 without it.

If you remember, Linus is ALWAYS with his security blanket.

But God is awesome like that, sending his son to a people clinging to fabric for false comfort.

And the ones who truly "get it" drop their blankets 

for a security that has no end.

Here's the video of Linus if you've never seen it.

And here's a link to the entire blog post.