Shawn St. Clair resides in Cornwall, Ontario and is a member of the ‘Good News Cornwall Assembly’. He is a commended full time ministry worker and a contributor to Truth & Tidings Publications. He has also served as a missionary in Latin America and has worked in the ministry/gospel in New Brunswick. Shawn & his wife Heidi have 4 children.
The title of this tract may seem to some to be boastful, but let me assure you this statement is made in the fear of God and upon the authority that the word of God gives us to make it. Our purpose of writing this tract is to show that it is our happy experience to know that when our time here in this passing scene is done, we are going to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. The word of God tells us in 2 Cor. 5:1 “For we KNOW that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, WE HAVE a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Many hope to get to heaven who will never be there. Why? Because they are seeking to get there on their own merits. Heaven is gained through faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary, where he shed his blood to put away sin. Heb. 9:26-28.
I didn’t always know that I was going to be in heaven. Indeed I was not. The same word of God tells me that I was born a sinner. Ps. 51:5. A sinner by nature, Rom 5:12, and a sinner by practice, Rom 3:23, which says “ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” My sin had separated me from God, Isaiah 59:2. God is holy, 1 Peter 1:16. Sin is wickedness, and Psalm 9:17 says “the wicked shall be turned into hell.” In my sins I was on the broad way “that leadeth to destruction”, Mat. 7:13. Yes, I was on my way “into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” Mark 9:43. Friend, has it occurred to you, that just as I was on that road, you too, if still in your sins, not saved, are on the road to destruction?
On Oct. 23, 1952, I was awakened to the fact that if I died as I was, in my sins, I would end up in the awful flames of hell. Luke 16:24. How could I be saved from the wrath of God that hung over me because of my sins. John 3:36. I had heard the gospel often, and knew John 3:16 well. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” Salvation was through the Lord Jesus Christ, but I could not grasp this. I always thought there must be something for me to do. Some good works on my part which I found out were only as “filthy rags” in the sight of God. Isaiah 64:6. No, salvation is FREE. Rom 6:23 tells us “The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
On Oct 24, 1952, I had the verse found in John 6:47 brought before me, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me HATH everlasting life.” This was the Lord Jesus speaking to my soul, and not to me only but to every sin-sick soul that will hear His voice. That moment I saw that all I needed was the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I was born again John 3:3, for I believed it. God was telling me this. Why shouldn’t I believe it? God cannot lie. Titus 1:2. He will not deceive me. Going home that night I looked up into heavens and said to myself, “I have the Lord Jesus Christ, what need I more.” I had everything. My title clear to mansions in heaven. John 14:1-6. I just rested my all for eternity on the Lord Jesus, God’s Son, in whom He said “I am well pleased”, Mat. 3:17. I didn't need religion. I didn’t need to “turn over a new leaf” as the saying goes. I needed the Lord Jesus Christ and I received His as my Saviour according to John 1:12 “For as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God.”
“Going home that night I looked up into heavens and said to myself, “I have the Lord Jesus Christ, what need I more.” I had everything. ”
Many to-day are trusting in their Church to get them to heaven. Many are trying to do the best they can. This is the lie of the devil, and will land them in hell forever. Many are trying to keep the ten commandments, when the scripture says “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom 3:20. The ten commandments only tell us how great a sinner we are,, and how we need to be saved. The Lord Jesus said “I am the way”, John 14:6, and again in John 10:9 “I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” The Lord Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1:15, and provide this great salvation, Heb 2:3, that I have, and which is available to all who will receive it. The gospel message is for the “whosoever”. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God is satisfied with the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, John 19:30, and has said that “the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanest from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Because of the efficacy of “the precious blood of Christ, 1 Peter 1:19, God says in Heb. 10:17 “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” If God is satisfied, why not a guilty sinner like me. Dear reader, are you satisfied? Come to the Lord Jesus Christ and have the happy experience of knowing that you are going to be in heaven. God gives the assurance that He will not turn you away… “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
To God be all the glory, His only Son He gave,
Whosoever will may come!
And all who come believing, He’ll to the utmost save,
Whosoever will many come.
About the author: Reginald Murray Lawson was a member of the Welland Gospel Hall and worked at a traditional printer shop in St. Catherines, ON. The content of this post was originally written as a tract that he printed and distributed to his family and community.