A Safe Bet
by John Michalak
1 John 5:13-14
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, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
Philosopher Blaise Pascal said that it’s safer to wager that God exists than to bet that He doesn’t.
If you live your life assuming God exists and God actually exists, then you win everything and lose nothing, Pascal said. If God doesn’t exist, believers still win because of the joy and fulfillment they experienced in life. But, if you live as if God doesn’t exist, you lose everything either way.
Gambling money is always foolish, but faith is a better wager.
The Christian not only has faith that God exists, but also believes that Jesus is God’s Son, and that when we live with Jesus as our Lord and Master, we can have confidence that we will continue to live with Him for eternity. What a Savior!
We pray, believing that in living for Jesus, our requests will be heard and He will keep us safe for all time. This belief allows us to pray with boldness, secure in the knowledge that our prayers reach heavenly ears.
So why not go “all in” with Jesus? You have nothing to lose and everything to win.
Reflection
What risks have I taken in the past? What were the expected rewards? What were the results? Compare the risks I have taken with the gamble of betting on a life devoted to Christ.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for having my best interests at heart. Please strengthen my faith. I believe, Lord; help my unbelief! In Jesus’ name I humbly pray, Amen.
