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In 2012, Robert Wolff’s book, “If I only knew then what I know now: The Lessons of Life and What They’re Trying to Teach You” was published. Throughout my life I have often heard and thought “If only I knew then what I know now…”. Another quote I have heard is, “There is something you ought to know…”. Perhaps you too have heard these statements. These statements lead us to the conclusion that there is oftentimeS important information that we need to know in order to make an educated decision on important issues in life. The fact is, there are many resources available to help us make better decisions in our lives. There are at least two things we all ought to know, and more importantly we have the resources to know the truth concerning these two things.
The first thing we ought to know is the truth. John 8:32, “… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Truth here refers to the doctrine of Christ which is the bedrock and foundation of Christianity. In knowing the truth Jesus declares that we can be made free from sin. By knowing and obeying the truth, we can be made free from sin! Jesus said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” To sanctify is to purify or cleanse one from their sins and thus free from them consequences of those sins. The truth that Jesus refers to is the Inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). With this understanding there is no need for anyone of an accountable age and without any mental deficiencies to live life blindly, that is without knowledge only hoping for the best outcome.
Secondly, since God has given us the truth, we ought to know we can have eternal life. In fact, the Word of God gives us all the information we need to secure our salvation. John wrote in 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” In John 20:31, John said, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The truth is, there should not be any doubt that a Christian has eternal life! Earlier, John stated that eternal life is in God’s Son (1John 5:11). Thus, if one is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), he has access to all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), including the hope of eternal life. Furthermore, anyone who is not a Christian can be one through a knowledge of God’s Word. Yes, the truth can be known, we can know we have eternal life! These are things you ought to know and act upon now; your soul’s eternal destiny depends upon that knowledge.
God has given us knowledge concerning becoming a Christian. We are taught throughout the New Testament God’s requirements for becoming a Child of God. The truth is, God requires all men to: Hear Him – Romans 10:17; Believe – Mark 16:16, John 8:24; Repent – Acts 2:38; Confess – Matthew 20:32; Be Baptized – Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-4; Live Faithfully – Titus 2:11-12.
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)