James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States (1845-1849). In conjunction with many great accomplishments and policies credited to his term, he is best known for being the most accessible president in history. Twice during the week the doors of the White House would be open to the public so that the people could approach him personally with their questions and concerns. Of course, with the increased security measures of our day, this interaction would be impossible; but it must have been satisfying to know, in the late 1840s, that if you had an issue concerning national affairs you could go right to the source to get some answers. However, we can enjoy this benefit today, perhaps not concerning national affairs or political problems, but instead, and more significantly, with eternal matters. The Bible is the true and complete Word of God, and it contains all of the answers we could ever need.
As in this present age, the gospel met opposition as Paul preached it in the 1st Century. After escaping the antagonistic uproar of Thessalonica, he fled to Berea where the Jews were "more noble than those in Thessalonica" (v 11). The two aspects that set the Bereans apart from Paul's other audiences were: 1) the readiness of mind in which they received the Word of God, and, 2) their diligence in searching the Scriptures for truth. Although the people heard the words of Paul, they took their concerns right to the source to find out if such things were so. "Therefore many of them believed" (v 12) after assessing the validity of Paul's claims and seeing the fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture. The Lord Jesus Christ was the Messiah that had been prophesied to come.
The gospel is not man's theory about life after death, but rather God's direct provision for eternity. Though we are all born in sin, God commended His love toward us "in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). His death was a sacrifice for sinners and satisfies God on our behalf. Through His work and it alone can we escape the punishment of hell and be sure of life in heaven. The good news of the gospel is that God's offer of heaven and forgiveness for sins is free to all those who believe and trust Christ as their Savior. In terms of eternity, humans are helpless. Yet, despite the simplicity of this Word, and the infallible, eternal support from the Scriptures, sinners will only find satisfaction when their hearts and minds are open and ready ("received…with all readiness of mind" (v 11).
If you are truly concerned about the eternal destination of your soul, I challenge you not to rest on the words on this page but to search the Scriptures — go right to the source — to see if these things are so. We are blessed in that God's inspired Word is accessible to our fingertips. Take advantage of it, and come to know the Savior Who loved you and gave Himself for you.
