Corona Devo 3081

Can we remember back to when we first began driving?  Such excitement!  Such responsibility!  And always--so important to ask if we could borrow the car and the keys.  Our parents were the ones who held the keys, and we had to come to them first for keys and permission.

Most of us have been driving for a long time now.  We have our own sets of keys to our own cars.  But Jesus Christ is the keeper of another set of keys, and if we have not yet asked Him for them, then today can be the day. 

I hold the keys of death and the grave.  ~Revelation 1:18

Not long ago, I visited and prayed with a lady that was dying.  I shared about God and His Son Jesus and that they love each of us so much that God sent His Son to the cross to die for our sins.  We know that verse, and she did too:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...  ~John 3:16

But it is not enough to know or "have heard" that Christ went to the cross and was crucified.  Have we understood why He went?  And what nailed Him to it?  

Our sin.  Our shortcomings.  Our pride.  Our lies.  Our lust.  Our unholiness before a holy God.   

Our sin--It's embarrassing.  It's shameful.  It's too much for us to reconcile before our Lord.  
But our Lord says that all we have to do is believe in Him and He then gives us the keys to eternal life with Him.

So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  ~Acts 16:31  

We know that Jesus went to the cross, but do we know (and have we acted upon our responsibility in) what our part of that crucifixion and resurrection process meant (and means!) for us and our faith and our eternity.

...that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  ~John 3:16

 The woman that I visited with in hospice heard me share God's Truth with her, but as I repeatedly told her that "God loves you", all that she kept repeating was, "I hope so", and "I hope He does". 

Friends, we don't have to wonder.  We do not have to "hope so".  

We can know, Friends.  We can know that we are going to spend eternity in Heaven with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ--if we just ask Him for the keys.  

And that’s not me talking—that’s the Bible talking.

The Bible tells us over and over, and in many ways, and in multiple Chapters that God wants to be with us, both now and in eternity.  He has made a place for us.  

  • In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (4) And where I go you know, and the way you know.”  ~John 14:2-4  

Everyone might not know the way, but we know the way...it's believing in Jesus.  

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”  

(6) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.  ~John 14:5-6

And all we have to do (ALL we have to do!) is ask Jesus for forgiveness of our sins, and believe in Him.  He holds the keys to death and the grave, and He has unlocked eternity for us...if we will trust and believe in Him. 

We don't have to wonder.  We do not have to "hope so".   Jesus wants us with Him--just believe:

  • So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  ~Acts 16:31  
  • ...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  ~Romans 10:9

I had a circular conversation with the lady who knew that death was knocking at her door, and we kept coming back to her saying” I hope so”. 

She’s dead now. 

Well, at least her body is. 

What she decided to do with God’s offer of salvation and the keys of death and the grave that Christ holds--I don't know.  That decision was (only) up to her. 

It’s up to each one of us individually too.  Jesus holds the keys of death and the grave (Revelation 1:18). 

Just like when we were sixteen and starting to drive: all we have to do to receive those keys is come and ask.

Ask and it will be given.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened.  ~Matthew 7:7

These keys of death and the grave are not off-limits to anyone.  They are within our reach and Christ reaches out His nail-scarred hands toward us to extend those keys.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  ~Revelation 3:20

He (and only He) can unlock death and the grave for us for eternity. 

We do not have to "hope so".  We can absolutely know so.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved...”  ~Acts 16:31  

 ~~~

Jesus is the Keeper-of-the-keys to our eternity.  But don't be afraid!  We do not need to "hope so", we simply need to ask for the keys.  

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. (18) I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.  ~Revelation 1:17-18


Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com


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