You who believe in the name of the Son of God . . . May know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13
“I’m afraid to die”, says Bobby. “I wish I didn’t have that fear but it is real and I have it deep in my soul.” Bobby has read the scriptures time and time again about the assurance that we have in Christ. His religion is not totally performance based but there is a little bit left in him.
Bobby goes on to say, “I can’t imagine what God will do with a skunk like me.” It is easy to argue from scripture that salvation is by grace. The death of Jesus secured our forgiveness and his resurrection assures us of victory over death. Our own baptism placed us in his family and the same power that raised Jesus from the death worked in us as we were buried with him and raised with him from the grave of water. 12 Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)
But all arguments fail because this is not a logical decision but an emotional one. All arguments fail to convince one when the decision was reached emotionally rather than logically. Logical argument cannot change the emotional mind.
Sometimes there is some emotional event in the past that still controls one’s thinking in the present. Until this is overcome one will continue to act on that buried emotion.
When one is saved by the grace of God all sins are gone and forgiveness is ever occurring. Whether we think clearly about the subject does not change the fact. We are saved and God will today welcome us into His heavenly home.
Jesus brings salvation down to us and when we are covered by his blood, there is no fear in death. “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” It’s good to believe it and to feel it. Whether we feel it completely or not it is still real. I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.