assurance

What sets christians apart from all others? The REALITY of Christ in their life. Assurance!There is an assurance on the inside that is so personal, no-one but he(she) that has it, can comprehend it.

I was talking with some guys the other day, and this subject came up. I related how a couple of young Mormon missionaries came around to my house and were very keen to talk to me about their "religion". In particular, about the Book of Mormon. All that I have read and heard, they seemed to confirm, that the Church of JCLDS holds this book in higher regard than the Bible. They informed me of how the book came about and what a difference it would make in my life, if I followed it's teachings, etc.

After they finished, I proceeded to relate to them, what the Bible says about "adding to, or taking away from" the Word of God. Naturally, they did not see the point. As I'm sure many non-Mormons, or non-religious people would(for that matter). Now, my purpose here is NOT to denegrate their faith, devotion, or their sincerety, but merely to come to my final response to them. We spoke for about 45 mins, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.I'm not sure it was mutual, but they never let on, if the opposite was the case.

My final question (and relevant answer) to them was as follows.

"What exactly are you offering me, besides the Book of Mormon?", (which I declined to accept BTW.)

They could not give me one benefit whatsoever. At least not one that I don't already have.

"If you died in the next 24 hrs, say you were hit by a car as you leave my house, do you KNOW, beyond shadow of doubt, where you would spend eternity?" was my most pressing question. Neither one could answer, with ANY assurance, or conviction that they knew. They had great hopes, but did not KNOW for SURE!

I can't emphasize this point enough.

So, at that point I opened my Bible ,(which they earlier already acknowledged as the Word of God), and showed them the following verses;

Joh 1:12-13 

 12; But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become sons of God, even to them who believe on his name

  13; Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

And

1John 5:10-12

  10; He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself.(italics mine), he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son.

11 And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son.

12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

"So, from these verses, you can see exactly, what sets us apart. I have the Son (Jesus), therefore I have life. That life is ETERNAL LIFE, NOW. I don't get is after I die. Then it will be too late! Did you catch that, it will be too late."

The visit ended soon anfer that. I only cite the above example to show how "christianity" differs from any other religion, including the "Christian religion". The encounter could have been with any one of these, with exactly the same differentiation showing up.

The two missionaries stuck to their doctrines, and left with some(hopefully useful) information that they could ponder on. In any case neither I nor you can "convert" somebody. If these questions led them further on their journey of spiritual discover,I will be happy, and done all I achieved to do, IE, cast doubt on any religious system that offers all sorts of "stuff", but the reality of eternal life which also carries with it the ASSURANCE that I speak of here.

In conclusion, I say, if you "do not have the Son, you don't have (eternal) Life"(from verse 12 above).

You may want to refer to my hub on meeting Him, here.

Thanks for reading. God bless.