Be sure of eternal life
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
How many of you watched the royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018?
What a royal story! I am going to share another royal story about Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901.
After she listened to a sermon in St. Paul’s Cathedral, she asked her chaplain, “Can one be sure of eternal safety while still in this life?” The chaplain explained no one can be sure of eternal safety while still in this life.
This troubled John Townsend, a local pastor. He heard and read of this exchange. After giving it a lot of thought and prayer, he decided to write the Queen of England.
He wrote, “To our beloved Queen Victoria, I know that we can be sure of eternal life. I ask you to read these passages of Scripture, John 3:16 and Romans 10:17.”
John 3:16 reads “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Romans 10:17 reads “Consequently faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
The queen soon wrote back sharing she carefully read those passages of Scripture. She wrote, “I believe in the finished work of Christ and trust by God’s grace that I shall meet you in that house of which he said, ‘I go to prepare a place for you.’”
Pastor Townsend connected the Queen to the peace Jesus leaves us with after he withdrew his visible presence. That peace is His word. Hearing God’s word gives faith in Christ and whoever believes shall not perish.