Dead Man Walking

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 
1 John 5:12 (ESV)

What are you really trusting in to take you to Heaven?

A child could answer that question, yet grown adults miss it all the time. Not long ago, I heard a sitting president wonder aloud whether he would make it to Heaven. At first he said, “I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole.” Later he said he liked his chances because he had done a lot of good. Then his son said stopping wars would get his father there.

What breaks my heart is that neither of them said one single word about Jesus.

Today’s verse makes it abundantly clear. “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12, ESV). Eternal life is not a possession you work for. It’s a Person you trust in.

If you don’t have Jesus, you’re a dead man walking. Baptism, church membership, and good works can’t change that. Only Jesus can, and He does it the moment you trust Him.

Today, take a moment to finish this sentence out loud. “I’m going to Heaven because…” If anything other than Jesus comes after “because,” you’ve found what you’ve really been trusting. Lay it down and tell Him, “Jesus, You are my only hope.”

The moment you have the Son, you’re no longer a dead man walking. You’re alive forever.

Prayer: Jesus, I don’t want to stand before God, hoping my good outweighs my bad. I’m not trusting my baptism, my church, or my record anymore. I’m trusting You. You are my life, and I’m resting my whole eternity on You. In Your name, Amen.