Let God be the Judge, By PM

By Paul Miller

March 1, 2019

Dear Friend, Greetings in Jesus' holy name.

Some years ago we were working at a place, and one evening on the way home, the driver asked the boy up front if he was saved, and he said he hopes to be. The man stopped and said, "Let's pray for this boy. Nobody will be saved on hopes. We have to know we are saved." Well, a few years later the man divorced his wife and went back to Maine—and was still saved; does that measure up to God's Word? Let God be the judge, but let us warn each other in these last times.

Yes, we are all sinners, and I know I'll never get to heaven through good works; it is only through the grace of God, and I know Jesus has fulfilled His mission so all of us can be saved. But has any of us ever gone anywhere and knew that we were going to get there? God promised the Israelites that He would take them to a land of milk and honey, but only if they walked in His ways. How many of the older ones got there?

I know that Jesus paid the way for my sins if I walk in His ways, but I have many faults, so it will certainly take the grace of our dear Lord to save a sinner like me. 

Sincerely,

PM, NY 

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Dear PM,

Thank you for your letter. About the man who got divorced and went back to Maine—I suppose we can find people who do wrong anywhere we go. Whether among the Amish or the English, there are people who can be labeled hypocrites. That is why we must look to God and to His Word for our standard and source of truth instead of relying solely on churches or man’s teachings. People can and do disappoint us, but Jesus never will.

You ask if any of us have ever gone anywhere and knew that we would get there. Of course, none of us can ever know for certain that we will arrive at our earthly destination, for we do not know what a day may bring.

As you mentioned, God kept most of the Israelites out of the Promised Land. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles . . .and have not hearkened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: but my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went (Numbers 14:22-24).

Even in this, though, the people could be certain. God promised that none would enter the land except Caleb and Joshua. Caleb could be certain that he was going to enter the Promised Land—not because of his works, but because of God’s promise. In the same way, the rest of the Israelites could be certain that they would not enter the Promised Land no matter how good they would be for the rest of their lives. This, too, was based upon God’s promise.

If no one can know that they will go to heaven based upon God’s promises, then how can some be told that they will go to hell if they do not do certain things or if they do not return to their church? If you cannot be certain of heaven, then how can you be certain of hell?

You answered your own question, though. Jesus paid the way for your sins, and it will take the grace of God to save us sinners. If someone makes you a promise, there is always a chance that he will not keep his word; but when God makes a promise, you can be 100 percent certain what He says will happen.

That is how it is with eternal life. If a person tells you that you must join a certain church or follow certain rules in order to go to heaven, he could be wrong and you can only hope; but when God makes a promise, it is 100 percent certain—and God says that we can know: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).

Trusting in our works, we should doubt. Trusting in God’s Word and in Jesus, we can be fully confident, for Jesus paid the price for our sins. He is our righteousness.

— Paul Miller

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