Shamiah thought he would go to heaven when he died. He said his dad was a Pastor. When I asked him how he knew for sure that he would go to heaven, he admitted that he really didn't know. He also confided that if he died today and stood before God in judgment, he would likely be judged guilty of breaking God's moral law, the 10 Commandments, and would spend eternity in hell. I asked him if that concerned him. It did. I told him that it should seriously concern him. I asked him if he knew how Jesus described hell. He didn't know. When I told him, he became more concerned. And he should be concerned. Very concerned. I told him that nothing is more important than his eternal destiny, which is why God cared enough about it to send His only Son to pay the penalty for Shamiah's sins so that he doesn't have to pay it himself in eternity.
I asked Shamiah if he knew what Jesus said to do in order to get the benefit of what He had done on the cross for him. He didn't know. I explained to him that Jesus said he must be born again (John 3:3) by looking to him alone for salvation (John 3:14-16), believing in him (Mk. 1:15), and repenting of his sins (turning from them and his own way and turning to Jesus to begin following him on the narrow way) (Mk. 1:15; Lk. 13:1-5; Matt. 4:17; Matt. 7; Acts 17:30-31).
I asked him when he was going to do that. He said he had done it and that he is trying to follow Jesus. He said he prays to him almost daily. I asked him if he had a bible. He said yes. I asked him if he reads it daily. He said no. I explained to him that Jesus said his true followers continue in his word and seek to obey Jesus' instructions (John 8:30-32; John 14:21). I urged him to make his calling and election sure (2 Pet. 1:10) by examining himself to make sure he really is in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5).
I pray Shamaih truly has repented and is following Jesus with all the grace God gives him.
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