Benjamin Franklin is said to be the source of the saying, ‘In this
world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes’. In a sense,
he may well have been trying to bring some calm to a situation that is common,
but particularly topical at the moment. These are uncertain times. How long
will the present government last? Will Jeremy Corbyn succeed in his ambition to
be Prime Minister? What will happen with Brexit? Will there be another
terrorist attack in one of our major cities? Am I safe if I live in a tower
block somewhere in the country? For come, the questions may be far more
pressing and personal. Where will I find the money to pay the bills?
Most of us cope with the stresses associated with uncertainty, and
doubt in relation to the future. However, the increasing incidence of mental
health issues reminds us that this is not always the case. For some, the
constant struggle to manage a deficit budget, to look after a family, to cope
with illness, or to obtain appropriate benefits after redundancy becomes too
much, and medical intervention becomes a necessity.
What I am reminded of is a certainty that is spoken of in the Bible. I
am not referring to death, although that is mentioned, or taxes. The certainty
is that we can have eternal life. The Bible says: ‘He that believeth on the Son
hath everlasting life’. [1] Another verse gives us the words of Jesus Christ: ‘He
that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life’. [2]
What this means is that we can be assured, be certain, that we are
forgiven – we will not come into condemnation. All those occasions when we have
failed to do what is right, or actively done what we know to be wrong, can be
forgiven. We can escape the consequence of those failures (sins), that is, spiritual
death or separation from God. All of this is possible because of the death of
the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross some 2000 years ago. He gave His life to
provide you with salvation.
There are also positive blessings through faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ. If we listen to the message of the Bible, and believe what it says,
taking Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we can have ‘eternal life’. What does that
mean? It means a relationship with God here and now. The Christian is not
exempt from life’s difficulties, but he/she is assured of God’s presence and
help in whatever life might throw at them. ‘He that hath the Son hath life’.
[3]
[1] John 3 verse 36
[2] John 5 verse 24[3] 1 John 5 verse 12
