Not Sure

“… I am quite certain I will see Hans again.”

Our son, Hans, like all of us, had his faults. He was a sinner, as we all are. Romans 3:23 1 John 1:8 Romans 3:10

However, Hans was saved – he was a Christian – one who has placed his trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

So, when we say we will see him again, our level of assurance is quite high.

But what about the parent who does not have that assurance? What about the parent who is not sure at all?

Perhaps you are thinking:

What if all this stuff about Heaven and Hell is true? I have no reason to believe my child knew anything about Jesus. What if I failed to tell my child the most important thing in all the world? What if my child is now eternally lost? How can I ever live with such a possibility? How could Heaven be bliss for me without my child? How could God let this happen?

Here is the truth you must hold on to:

God is good.

God is love.

God makes no mistakes.

If we do not believe these facts about God, we are sunk. The pain is just too much to bear unless we trust the Lord God Almighty.

Here are a few more facts about God:

God loves children. Pre-born people, people born with limited mental capacity, infants, and young children who are not yet of sufficient age as to be held accountable for their actions are safe. When they die, they go to be with the Lord in Heaven. Mark 10:13-16 Luke 18:15-17 2 Samuel 12:19-23

God is merciful. The thief who was crucified on a cross beside the Lord Jesus believed Jesus was Who He said He was – King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The thief knew he was a sinner deserving death and called Jesus Lord. No special prayer, no good works, not much time to do anything other than believe. The worst sinner in the world can, while taking his last breath, cry out to God from his heart for mercy. God does not take pleasure in sending people to Hell. Luke 23:39-43

God is just. Our children are in the hands of a righteous judge. If we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will be overjoyed with whatever we find when we finally enter eternity. We will see things with God’s eyes. We will understand His purposes. We will be in perfect agreement with his sovereign will. There will be no sorrow, no tears, no grieving. We will say, yes, Lord, I see it now. We will praise Him for His wisdom and lovingkindness. We will have peace. Psalm 116:5 Psalm 112:4

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 9:24

So, while I am quite certain I will see Hans again, I can only be certain to a point. I cannot see into Hans’ heart the way God can. I cannot know his profession of faith was authentic. I can look at Hans’ life; I can remember his words and what he told us he believed, but I can only be one hundred per cent certain of my own salvation.

Likewise, you cannot be one hundred per cent certain that your child is eternally lost. Not knowing for sure, you will suffer. But there is hope. And there is God. The God you can trust.

Even with this.