Certainty For Life – Certainty For Life

Discover Certainty for Life—a compelling invitation to experience a deeper relationship with Christ, an abundant life now, and the assurance of eternal life. Written especially for those from an Eastern Orthodox background, this book unpacks the big questions: Can you truly know God? Is it possible to be certain of his forgiveness and acceptance? With a focus on the Bible’s timeless message, Certainty for Life offers hope, clarity, and a path to peace with God. Through relatable stories, clear explanations, and a deep respect for tradition, the author guides readers on a journey to a vibrant, personal relationship with God. Whether you’re searching, sceptical, or simply curious, this book promises to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to embrace the certainty and joy that only Christ can give. Start reading today and discover a life transformed!

I always knew my name meant Resurrection in Greek and now for the first time I embodied my name’s true meaning: Christ came to liberate our souls from guilt and death and to give us new life. I now knew the privilege of being able to approach God directly through Jesus as my high priest. God started and continues now to change my heart and mind to become more like him.

Anastasia, Orthotist

It’s shocking to me now to remember how worthless I counted my life 30 years ago. No matter who you are, know that God specialises in taking even the broken and worthless, sanding them back to bare metal, coating them with the vibrant colour of righteousness and putting it out there for other broken ones to see – all this to showcase his glory and testify that he does have the power to change you today!

Sasha, Electrical Engineer

These days, I am still amazed how real Jesus is in my life and how he manages to communicate his unconditional love. It’s opposite to the empty, blind, supernatural reaching out in a vague attempt for God’s favour – he reaches out to me despite my blindness and literally brings me life. Instead of my independence sprinkled with occasional traditions, I am called to a constant, unceasing walk with him. I find myself yearning to be with him and see him, tangibly - it’s always been about the instant tangible for me, so I struggle with the wait for heaven and my constant failures before a pure, perfect and incredible God.

George, Financial Advisor

How great is God to have forgiven me and welcomed me into relationship with him and provided me with even more family than before! It still brings tears of joy to me today when I consider that unworthy though I am, yet God has blessed me so richly through Jesus.

Anthony, Delivery Driver

I knew about all the Easter events we celebrated in Church that Jesus had died for my sins, but it had never been personal for me. But now I could see that Jesus taking my sins away made a relationship with God possible. The best thing about this new life in Christ is having the certain hope of being with Jesus in heaven. I’m looking forward to being united with my father and my brothers and sisters in Christ who, with me, will be transformed into the likeness of Christ. There we will sing songs of joy and be freed from suffering. My deepest longing is for the remainder of my family and children to also know that joy now and that hope for the future.

Jacky, Dentist

John Diacos has penned this easy-to-read book, with profound theological truths, from a loving pastoral heart. I warmly recommend this volume for all people from an Orthodox background, especially those who wish to deepen their understanding of the central truths of the Christian faith and thus be encouraged to pursue with certainty how to behold and experience God’s eternal favour.

John has an extensive understanding of the Bible, the writing of the Church Fathers, together with Christian and cultural traditions. He has also studied theology and the original languages of the Bible and been a church leader for many decades. His expertise and experience, therefore, which is clear in every chapter, makes this book a compelling read.

Certainty for Life is an excellent read, with real faith stories, logical chapter division and flow, which is firmly grounded in the holy scriptures. This well-written book is a modern-day masterpiece that will benefit many people who are blessed to have access to it.

Zachary Veron

Christian Teacher, Sydney

Reviews

About the author

Raised in a Greek Orthodox family, John Diacos writes from a heartfelt desire to share with others the assurance of peace with God. Along with his wife Elizabeth, they have raised five adult children and live in Melbourne, Australia. John currently works as a medical practitioner but still holds out hope of being called up to play for the Socceroos.

Excerpt

An excerpt from the introduction to Certainty for Life:

God’s Search for me

Like every other Orthodox person I’ve met, I grew up without any certainty that I could be at peace with God. I knew all about God – our family’s year revolved around Easter, and Saints’ days, and Christmas, and regular attendance at Church. Being Orthodox was central to our cultural identity, which for me was Greek. Yet the picture of God presented to me was always one who disapproved of things I did. I did not know how to please or relate to this God at all. He was always distant, unapproachable, unknowable.
So, I searched in many directions for answers. I devoted myself to Church and ritual. I listened attentively to the liturgy, I kissed the icons, lit candles, and took communion. I always felt clean leaving Church, as if I had done my duty and that God was happy with me. But that feeling never lasted.
I devoted myself to doing good and developed a sensitive conscience that detected my inevitable failures. I would then pray with face to the ground arms outstretched, sometimes with tears, begging for forgiveness until I believed I received it when I felt at peace. But I was never certain I was good enough, or that the forgiveness was complete.
So eager was I to know and be guided by God that I listened and looked at the world around me. I can remember being convinced that, any time I heard a sustained high-pitched sound, it was God telling me that he was near and cared for me. On another occasion I walked home from school in the rain without an umbrella, allowing it to drench me, because it felt as if the rain was God’s presence around me.
Yet none of this left me with any certainty of knowing God, of having the truth, of feeling forgiven or of being at peace.
Maybe you have trodden down the same paths as me – or maybe entirely different ones. But this book is to help you in your search. Or if you are not searching – this book is about why having answers to these questions about God is of ultimate importance.
This book is about finding those answers. It is about how we can have complete certainty of being forgiven by God, having peace, living the abundant life, and of life forever. It is about certainty because, in the end, I discovered that it was not about me and my performance, or even my search for God.
Instead, the liberating truth is that God is searching for us. That is why he sent his son Jesus, to find and rescue a lost humanity in order to offer them friendship and reconciliation. This is exciting news because it means that God is not far away. And because this is all God’s initiative, reliant on him, then we can have certainty that he will make us clean and acceptable to him. We can know God personally and be welcomed into his family.