Fire Insurance Without Abundant Life

James prayed the sinner’s prayer at a revival service when he was a teenager. He truly believed Jesus died for his sins, and he meant it when he asked to be saved. On that day, he knew he was forgiven and that he’d go to heaven when he died. If you asked James if he loved Jesus, he would say, “Ah… yeah. Sure.” He had fire insurance.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

But James was quick to admit he lacked the abundant life Jesus promised.

James golfed on Sunday mornings or took his boys to soccer games. He struggled to catch up on past-due bills, and when his wife became pregnant with their third child, he worried about how they would pay for childcare. He caught whatever bug his kids brought home from school and missed work—or more often, simply suffered through with a mask. He kept his porn addiction a secret, even from his best friend — and especially from his wife. He wanted to stop, but couldn’t.

Desperate, he recommitted his life to Jesus and returned to church. He read a little from his Bible most days, prayed for himself and others, and tried to follow the advice offered by his pastor’s sermons. But nothing much changed. In fact, life got harder. His relationship with his wife grew worse.

He doubled down and joined a men’s small group. He read his Bible daily, but found it more of a chore than a joy. He began to question whether the Bible really was the Word of God. Wasn’t the Bible written by men during a time when they were trying to understand God? Maybe all this “religion” stuff wasn’t as cut and dry as he’d been taught.

By the time his third child arrived, he knew his marriage was over. Their divorce was ugly, the boys rebellious, and his only daughter someone he barely knew.

When, at the young age of forty-six, James learned he had terminal cancer, he kept it a secret. By then, James preferred death and heaven to the costs and pain of bailing his boys out of jail and paying for his daughter’s drug addiction.

Like the Israelites who came out of Egypt, God “saved” James through the blood of the Lamb, but James never left his old life. Yes, he was a new creation in Christ, but during his time on earth, he remained an infant in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).

At his funeral, James’ younger brother read a short note from James — one, it first seemed, sent more out of spite than love.

“I was always in church more than you. I never broke the rules like you did growing up. I always did what Dad asked.”

“Not true,” the younger brother said from the podium, “but for sure James was a better rule follower than I am.”

“And for what? Dad never gave me so much as a young goat.”

“Honestly, I have no idea why my brother wanted a small goat. Maybe this is a metaphor. Or a jab because once James was voted the greatest of all time on his little league baseball team, but didn’t get a trophy for his efforts.”

Silence.

“Tom Brady? Michael Jordan? G.O.A.T.? Okay, back to my brother’s note.”

“You squandered the money Dad left us. Even now, you still give to the needy without even asking if they’re going to use it wisely. Of course they’re not. They’re homeless for a reason! You’re reckless and wasting your inheritance on people who don’t even appreciate it. I hope you’ll come around and take care of my kids after I’m gone. God knows someone needs to. SHE!!!! certainly is not!”

“That’s James’ message to me and I share it out of love for him. I do love James. And I look forward to seeing him in heaven. I am certain he is saved. But those of you who know James best know that he never really lived. Not like he could have. Not like Jesus wanted him to live. James made it harder for himself and others.

“The baptism of salvation brings forgiveness of sins, new birth, and adoption into God’s family. Through the baptism of salvation, we believe in our heart that Jesus rose from the dead and confess Him as Lord (Romans 10:9–10). But for many, like my brother, that’s all the Jesus they receive.

“Through the baptism of salvation we are joined to Christ by faith and become part of His body and clothed with His righteousness (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). We receive eternal life, justification, and peace with God (Romans 5:1). It is our ‘fire insurance’ and keeps us out of hell. But many stop here and live outside of—or on the outskirts of—the fullness of God’s kingdom.

“Israel was saved out of Egypt by the blood of a lamb (Exodus 12:13). Today, Jesus is our sacrifice—the Lamb of God whose blood takes away our sin (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18–19). But like my brother, most of those who escaped Egypt perished in the wilderness without ever enjoying the good life God offered. They failed to trust God’s promises (Hebrews 3:16–19; 4:1–2). They refused to take possession of their inheritance. All his life, my brother remained focused on Dad’s inheritance, while ignoring the riches of heaven that were already his.

“Jesus commands us to ask for His Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13; John 14:16–17; Acts 2:38–39). Yet many settle in the land of salvation, never moving in the power Jesus promised. Jesus commanded us to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, and do greater works than He (Mark 16:17–18; John 14:12). He wouldn’t have told us to do this if He didn’t expect us to follow through. And we know that Jesus would never ask us to do something without first giving us the resources.

“If we are not doing the works of Jesus — and greater works — we should ask why. We should check to see if we have asked for His Spirit—and if not, why have we refused?

“My brother was saved, but I am convinced he was not Spirit-filled. He was born of the Holy Spirit, yes. His Father is God, yes. He is a child of God, yes. But based on what I know of my brother, James never asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit of Jesus. The fruit of his life testifies to what he believed.

“Here are James’s last words: ‘Tell my family that if they’re anxious, fearful, and restless like I was, to talk to you. Find out what you have that I never did. I want my children—and yes, even my ex—to enter God’s promised ‘rest’ (Hebrews 4:9–10). You seem to know how to get them there. You certainly have had it a lot easier than I have, and for sure you didn’t do anything to deserve it. That’s a joke, brother. Smile. Read this aloud to them—and all who come to my funeral. Both of them. Another joke. Life stinks when you’re a victim of your circumstances rather than a victor (Romans 8:37), and I’m beat down.”

“Not the eulogy you were expecting, I bet. But that’s James. Blunt, to the point, and even at his worst, better than most.

“So here’s my invitation to you: If you want the abundant life my brother never found, the life Jesus promised, come meet with me after the service. Let’s talk. Let’s pray. Let’s ask for the Spirit of Jesus to come into your heart and live inside you always. Let’s get filled up to the brim with Jesus. I can tell you, life in Christ is more than being saved from sin—it’s the best life you can ever have. And when you die, it only gets better.”