Are You Positive? Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World

In a world obsessed with certainty, we invest enormous energy seeking guarantees. We check weather forecasts, read product reviews, and analyze statistics before making even minor decisions. Yet when it comes to the most important question of all—where we'll spend eternity—many of us remain surprisingly uncertain.

Consider this striking contrast: Over 213 million people planned to watch a recent Super Bowl. Stadiums fill to capacity for games where we can never be certain of the outcome. We invest billions of dollars, countless hours, and tremendous emotional energy into events that might disappoint us. Meanwhile, church attendance has declined from 42% of adults in 2004 to just 30% today.

What draws us to invest so heavily in uncertain outcomes while neglecting the one certainty we can actually possess—the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ?

The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of a rich young ruler who approached Jesus with what seemed like a straightforward question: "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

Jesus responded by listing the commandments—don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't give false testimony, honor your parents, and love your neighbor as yourself.

The young man's response reveals his confidence: "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?"

Then Jesus delivered the challenging answer: "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

The Scripture tells us the young man went away sad because he had great wealth.

This encounter illustrates a dangerous tendency in our spiritual lives—the microwavable mindset. The rich young ruler expected a quick answer, a simple checklist he could complete to secure his eternal destination. He thought salvation would be immediate, like heating up yesterday's leftovers.

But we serve a crockpot God.

The things we want immediately, the prayers we expect answered on our timeline, aren't always what's best for us. God answers prayers according to His perfect timing, not our impatient demands. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us: "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."

Faith in God isn't a race to be won. It's a journey to be walked, a relationship to be developed, a transformation that continues throughout our lives.

So how can we move from uncertainty to confidence about our spiritual destination? Three essential elements provide the foundation for positive faith.

God's presence isn't merely the theological truth that He exists everywhere as Creator. His adversary is also widespread in this world. What matters isn't that God's presence is "out there" somewhere—it's whether His presence dwells within our hearts.

Revelation 3:20 pictures Jesus standing at the door and knocking. But that requires us to open the door. We must get off the couch of complacency, walk to that door, and invite Him inside.

Yet it's not quite that simple. Opening the door is just the beginning. Once we invite Christ in, we must be ready to clean house—to rid ourselves of everything that separates us from God. Like the rich young ruler, we often hold too tightly to things that prevent us from fully embracing God's will.

Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16-17 captures this beautifully: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."

How long will we wait before truly inviting God into our hearts?

We cannot achieve perfection on our own. We're all born into sin and fall short of God's glory. That's simply human nature.

But here's the truth: doing our best to be good, to follow God faithfully, is exactly what He asks of us. It's not easy—in fact, sometimes it seems like all the "fun" things require us to be bad.

The harder we try to do right, the more challenges seem to arise. The more we pursue goodness, the more trouble finds us. Why?

Because the devil doesn't waste energy chasing those who are already lost. He comes after the saved, after God's children, especially those who are turning the corner toward genuine transformation. Just when you're about to leave your old life behind, guess who's waiting around that corner to pull you back?

But take heart. First Corinthians 10:13 promises: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

Exodus reminds us: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."

And 2 Thessalonians declares: "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

We serve a God greater than any bully trying to drag us backward. Though we won't achieve perfection here, we will be perfected through the blood of Jesus Christ.

God has already sealed His covenant through the blood of our Savior. Romans 6:23 declares: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 5:24 assures us: "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life."

First John 5:11-12 makes it even clearer: "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

The promise is already made. The victory is already won. All we must do is ensure that Jesus Christ lives in our hearts as Lord and Savior.

We may not be certain where we want to eat dinner tonight. We can't be sure which team will win the big game. We might change our minds about countless trivial matters.

But we should never be uncertain about which God we serve or where we'll spend eternity.

Being positive about our salvation requires three active commitments:

Believe that God is the one true God, that Jesus Christ is His only Son, that Jesus came as God in the flesh, suffered and died for us, and rose victorious over sin and death.

Be faithful and obedient, loving the Lord and serving Him wherever and whenever possible. Being part of the Christian community isn't a spectator sport—we all have active roles in the mission of the church and as disciples in the world.

Don't lean on your own understanding. Get into God's Word. When you have questions or problems, Scripture offers relevant guidance. And when you can't find answers alone, reach out to fellow believers who can help and support you.

The invitation stands today: Don't leave this moment without being positive about where your heart is and where you'll spend eternity. We're not promised tomorrow—only today.

Accept the gift that's already been given. Walk confidently in the presence, pursue goodness empowered by grace, and claim the promise that's already yours.

Be positive. You serve a risen Savior.