The refuge of a harbour like this can remind us of Heaven. We need to be sure of the safe way to get there.
In the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). We also read, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
I would like to tell you how I found this way, and how I have assurance that I will be in Heaven when life’s voyage is over.
Photo credit: Brian Smith
I was born in Portsoy and reared in Buckie, Scotland, one of four boys literally abandoned by our parents. Although very poor and in failing health, my grandparents decided to bring me up. My brothers went elsewhere. Not surprisingly, emotional deprivation led to many “hang-ups”, resulting in me developing a very aggressive personality. Childhood trauma sadly left me with very low self-esteem.
When my grandfather died there was no restraining influence to keep me in check during my reckless teenage years. Playing in a dance-band and gaining recognition as an amateur boxer still left me with an emptiness in my heart. That all changed in 1956 when some former school friends told me that they had “got saved” after listening to the American preacher Billy Graham.
The expression “getting saved” was new to me and my curiosity was aroused. I could see that they had a joy that I didn’t possess, so I accepted their invitation to come and hear the Gospel message for myself. For the first time in my life, I heard that God’s gift of salvation was offered free to all even though all had sinned against Him and deserved eternal punishment.
I was deeply touched when I heard these wonderful words for the first time, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Since I obviously was in this world, this meant that God loved even me. He had given His Son to die for me so that I, unworthy as I was, could be with Him forever in Heaven. But I also learned that I had to receive Him personally, otherwise His suffering and death would be of no benefit to me. I came to realise that although His death was sufficient to put away all the sins of the whole world, it is effective ONLY for those who accept Him as Lord and Saviour. I did just that as if I were the only person in the whole world. Repenting of my many sins, I gladly accepted His offer of salvation. I knew then that I had at last found the one and only safe way leading to Heaven’s Harbour.
If you have done the same, you will know the peace and joy such a decision brings. If you haven’t, why not? You can also be really sure of reaching Heaven’s Harbour when life’s voyage is over. If you have truly accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you don’t need to have doubts and fears. The Lord Jesus is able to save, and to keep, all those who repent of their sins and put their trust in His finished work on Calvary’s cross.
Here is God’s promise – “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13 emphasis added). See also John 3:36, John 5:24, John 10:28-29.
My assurance of finally reaching God’s Harbour does not depend on my feelings. They are unreliable and change from day to day. My assurance is based entirely on God’s unchanging Word. He cannot lie and always keeps His promises. I was saved by faith in a faithful God, a great sinner drawn by the love of a great God.
There was no room for me in my earthly father’s house, but I found a welcome in my Heavenly Father’s heart of love. If as yet you are still not saved, be assured that God’s unconditional love is also reaching out to you, no matter who you are.
Hear His wonderful promise, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37). But remember, you need to come NOW. It would be tragic if you left it too late. The words of an old hymn remind us of the danger of delay:
“O turn, while the Saviour in mercy is waiting,
And steer for the Harbour light;
For how do you know but your soul may be drifting
Over the dead-line tonight.”
C. F. Geddes
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