Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

How Safe Are You:Rev. D. Howard Elliott, D.D.Pastor of the Topeka R.P. ChurchThe two men were good friends. They had workedside by side for a number of years. They liked to talk overthings — they pretty well saw things alike. And they hadtime to talk as they rode to and from work together and atlunch time.One morning Art seemed a little preoccupied andMatt asked if anything was the matter."I guess I was just thinking about the burglary in ourneighborhood last night. The Hughes home was brokeninto and a lot of things were taken. I was just thinkingabout how secure my place was against a break-in," wasArt's reply."So I suppose you're thinking of putting some newlocks on the doors and windows.I'll bet you already lookedover your insurance policy to see what it covered.""Yea, I thought of all that. But it bothers me whensome say that nothing is really safe these days. If someonereally wants to get in or to hurt you, they have ways ofdoing it in spite of all the devices you might have forprotection.""I know what you mean. A guy could worry a lotabout how safe he is, or his family or his things. I guess Ijust figure what's gonna be is gonna be. I set up certainsafety precautions, like they're always drilling into us atthe plant, and just hope they'll work.""But you know, Matt, it takes more than wishfulthinking to satisfy me. And I'm thinking about more thanjust my family and property. We watched a scary movieon TV last night and maybe that's what made me dream.Anyhow it's got me stirred up because I dreamed that Idied and went to hell. My wife says I was moaning andgroaning in my sleep.""Well," Matt said, "you're a Christian, aren't you?What's got you worried about that?""Sure, I'm a Christian, but what if I've missed theboat somewhere and I pull some crazy thing that closesthe gate of Heaven against me. Is anyone really secure inthe matter of Heaven? Do you think you're safe foreternity?"Matt pondered it a while and finally said, "I guessI'm about as safe as anybody. Oh, I'm certainly not perfect,but I try to be a good father and husband.-1 get tochurch when I can. We pray before we eat our meals, andif any of my friends or neighbors need help, I'm only gladto pitch in.""And you think that's what it takes?" Art wanted toknow."Well, I'm doing what I can, and you've just got tobelieve it's ok and don't worry about anything else.""That's where you and I are different, Matt. I can'tbe satisfied that easily. You know, I think I'm going tohave a talk with old Jess over in the next department. Heseems to know about these things. Want to sit in on it if Ican get a hold of him?"At noon the two men cornered Jess and Art askedhim a question."The guys say that you're pretty sure of yourself,that you think you know for certain what's going to happento you when you die.""I wouldn't say that I'm sure of myself. But I amsure that I will have eternal life in Heaven when I die,"was Jess's answer."How can you say that when nothing seems surethese days?" Matt wanted to know. "How can anyone tellwhat's ahead of him?"Jess was thoughtful, then —, "To start with, I am aChristian. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior.""We do too.""But you must not believe what He said was true.The only place we get what Jesus said is in the Bible. Ibelieve that the whole Bible is God's Word and so I believethat it's true. The Bible says that if you are sorry for yoursins, if you believe in and accept Jesus Christ as the onewho takes away your sin, then you are saved. Your soul is'born again' and you are one of the family of God who willhave Heaven as their final place. Here, I've got aTestament in my lunch box. I'll try to show you what itsays. Yes, here... '...whosoever believeth in him should notperish but have everlasting life.' See it here in John 3:16.Here's another, John 1:12, 'But as many as received him,to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even tothem that believe on his name.' Art, are you trusting inJesus Christ for your eternal salvation, or do you think thisis something you have to do for yourself?"Art was hesitant, then said, "I think I'm trustingJesus for it."8COVENANTER WITNESS