Disappointed!

To be disappointed is not a pleasant experience. This word has been on the lips of many over recent months. In the world of athletics we have heard this sentiment articulated repeatedly during the Olympic Games held in London. Some who expected to gain medals or break records were heard to express thoughts like "I am so disappointed ... years of training, dieting, hard work and all to no avail … I thought I had done enough to get the verdict … I am just gutted." We can in some measure sympathise with those who failed to reach their intended target.

Many students were also greatly disappointed when they received the results of their examinations. These disappointing results meant that they would not be able to have the future prospects they had envisaged.

It is heartbreaking to deal with such emotions but they are for time alone and sometimes can be rectified in later life. However, to be disappointed regarding eternal matters is something that is unbearable and, most solemnly, it is irrecoverable.

If you were asked how you can get to heaven, you may reply, by being a good person; by being religious; by doing my best; by joining and attending a church; and other such responses. If you were asked the basis for your answers, what would you say? Perhaps you depend on the philosophy of men; the advice of religious leaders; the thoughts of scientists etc. There is only one foundation for faith and that is the Bible, the book that was inspired by God. What does it say about these matters?

What does God think of our good works, called "our righteousnesses"? "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" Isaiah 64.6. Can works take us to heaven? "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2.8,9.

How sad for any to think they are heading for heaven, but to discover when it is too late, that they were wrong and instead of the glory of heaven for eternity they will be in the gloom of the lake of fire, Revelation 20.15. It will be a disappointment of such a scale that to the never-ending ages of eternity, rectification will be impossible.

Is it possible to be sure that we are going to heaven? Note the assurance in the following Bible verses. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3.16-18. Since it was impossible for us to put God in our debt and so make Him obligated to take us to heaven; in His love and grace God devised the plan of salvation. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly … But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5.6,8.

"God in mercy sent His Son, to a world by sin undone,

Jesus Christ was crucified, ‘twas for sinners Jesus died."

Dear reader, make sure you will not have an eternal disappointment.

Used by kind permission of Assembly Testimony

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