Supplying confidence to faithful Christians, the apostle John wrote: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5.13). I am afraid, however, that some Christians lack confidence and seem to view eternal life in heaven as something nearly impossible to attain. I find this unfortunate.

One of my all-time favorite songs is “The Impossible Dream” from the Man of La Mancha. That song summed up Don Quixote’s life. He strove to attain the impossible and never reached it. The song portrays his difficulties, hardships and struggles. Sadly, that seems to sum up the attitudes of some Christians as well. They consider heaven impossible to reach. They know that they can never do enough to attain salvation. So they coast along just hoping, but are never confident. They think we can never truly become Christ-like, that is, achieve perfection.

Is it really an impossible dream? We can make it an impossible dream if we doubt the Father’s promise.  As written in God’s word, “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6.23). Ephesians 2.8-9 tells use that we cannot be saved by our own works or law keeping. We cannot  earn salvation or eternal life because it is God the Father’s gift through Jesus. We have to accept that gift through faith in the Father’s promise.

The Apostle John, moved by the Spirit, did not say, “These things are written so that you may hope that you will get eternal life.” He wrote, “That you may know that you already have it.”  If we doubt, the circumstances of life can overcome us. Satan’s darts can break through our shield and move us away from faith in the Father, but this is why we are to “put on the whole armor of God” (Read Eph. 6.10-18).

If we believe that God has given us eternal life, and we cannot earn it, why do we try to live a Christ-like life? Knowing what Jesus did for us should motivate us to dedicate our lives to His cause.  We do so because of our gratitude and faith. Trusting the Father gives us confidence that everything will work out for the good. Trusting the Father enables us to have joy even when we are faced with the trial of life. No, it’s not by our power that we can attain eternal salvation, but we trust the One who can deliver us and fulfill the greatest dream imaginable – HEAVEN!

[-Adapted & Edited; BTW]