“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”  (Romans 1:17)

“I think I might go to heaven when I die.”  “Perhaps I’ll go to heaven when I die.”  Hmm…ever thought something like that?  Heard something like that? Said something like that?

Words like those are full of uncertainty, the same uncertainty Martin Luther felt in his early life.  He had been taught that salvation was something HE had to EARN.  If he did good things, THEN he could go to heaven.

He tried and tried, he lived the best way he could, he joined a monastery, he beat his body, he fasted, he prayed…but it was never enough.  He still wasn’t perfect.  He was still sinful and still deserved only God’s judgment.  How could God demand something of him he couldn’t give?

Are you certain of your salvation?  The devil loves to plant the seeds of doubt in your heart and tries to make you think that salvation isn’t certain because YOU haven’t earned it.

But the truth?  Your salvation is 100% GOD’s work… for you!  “The righteous will live by faith.”  Jesus came, Jesus died on the cross to pay for ALL of your sins.  Jesus won heaven for you!  God gives it to you as a free gift!  That’s what God says.  It DOESN’T depend on you!

Since righteousness comes from God, you KNOW heaven is your home!  God’s done it!  That’s awesome certainty!  Thank you, God, for using Martin Luther to make that clear for us!

Thankfully certain of my salvation, just like you,

pastor