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I have been doing this column in the Leavenworth Times for the last six months and it has been a joy and blessing for me. This will be the last column in the Leavenworth Times. However, I will continue the online version at http://epreacher.org/ask.

This week I submit my own question. "Can we know for certain what our destiny is when we die?" There are some that believe that we can never know for sure. However, the Bible says that we can know by what has been written in scripture (1 John 5:13).

It all begins with the Gospel, which is the power of salvation to all who believe (Rom 1:16). Gospel means "good news." The Gospel is much more specific than just, "God's word." The Gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and raised from the grave on the third day. That is where the power for salvation comes from.

However, this is only for those who believe (Rom 1:16). Nearly everyone understands the importance of belief, so that is not the issue. The issue is "how" are we to believe? The Bible uses the word, "faith" to speak of belief. Faith is not merely mental agreement, but an active commitment. Faith without action is no faith at all (James 2:14-24).

So, what "actions" are to be the demonstration of our faith? God requires repentance (Acts 2:38), confession of Christ as risen Lord (Rom 10:9-10), and immersion into Christ (1 Pet 3:21). Immersion is not an empty ritual, but a demonstration of faith. At that point, God forgives all of your sins and takes them out of the way (Col 2:12-14). But that is just the beginning. We are to be faithful to God every day until death (Rev 2:10).

John Telgren
P.O. Box 452
Leavenworth, KS 66048
Web: epreacher.org/ask
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