The story has been told that Albert Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train. When the conductor came down the aisle punching tickets, Einstein reached in his vest pocket.  He could not find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase, but still could not find it. He looked in the seat next to him, but it was not there.

The conductor kindly said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are; we all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket; don’t worry about it.” The conductor then continued on his way punching tickets. Just before he went to the next car he turned around and saw the great scientist on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket.”

Einstein said, “Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I am going.” *

Do you know where you are going?

Jesus said there are only two ways to travel that lead to two different destinies: "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).

Jesus is the Way to life: "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

Jesus died for our sins to open up the way to heaven for us: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).  He died for us so that we can live with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 5:10).

God will save from sin and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Do you know who you are?  Do you know where you are going?  It's the Christian (Christ-follower) who is able to say with assurance: "I am going to heaven because Jesus made it possible."

-- David A. Sargent

Source: Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery, Barbara Sinor, Cardwell C. Nuckols, as quoted in sermon illustrations shared in www.ministry127.com.

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org