Subject: how do you know if you are saved? |
Bible Note: What it sound like to me is that you are emphasizing a works based salvation which is in complete opposition to the GRACE plan of God. All one needs to do to obtain salvation is found in numerous passages of God’s Word; case and point, Acts 16:31 (NASB) 31 They said, " Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." That isn’t asking Jesus to come into your heart either, He doesn’t go into sewers, which is what mans heart is like in God’s sight. God the Father isn’t impressed with what we do, He is only impressed with what His Son Jesus Christ did for us on the cross!! Many get discipleship mixed up with salvation; notice that Paul is talking to (believer brethren) when he makes the following statement. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1 I beseech you therefore, “BRETHERN”, (they are already saved) by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The renewing of ones mind or transformation only takes place when one is in fellowship with the Holy Spirit through the exercise of 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Couple this with the constant inculcation of Bible doctrine and God will do the transforming. Anything that a person tries to do to merit God’s precious grace only nullifies faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. The word faith is a transitive verb and it demands an object, it’s the object that gets all of the credit in faith not the one having the faith. Faith is no greater then it’s object, which in salvation is Jesus Christ. Salvation is the result of faith as a gift, that can’t be worked for. When anyone tries to do something to help God with their salvation its like saying that what Jesus did wasn’t enough, I must help. Let me explain it this way: Let’s say you are given a gift and the gift is a life in paradise. The ticket has been totally paid for, with a ride on a jet plane. Now, instead of sitting quietly in your first class seat, and praising and thanking the Giver for the gift, you get the brilliant idea that you’re going to help. You jump out of your seat, open the door, and leap out so you can help by pushing the jet, which at this point is traveling at 600 miles an hour! That makes about as much sense as man trying to help God with what He has accomplished for man’s salvation. God has provided a perfect plan and all man has to do receive it. Anything man does only messes up God’s perfect plan. It is true there is no such thing as a free lunch! Our salvation cost God the Father the dearest position He has, His matchless perfect Son, who had been with Him since before eternity past. Jesus paid the price for the gift of eternal life and all man is asked to do is trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and receive the gift by GR ACE through FAITH. Do you think God would lie to you? Religion might but not God! Have a great day and trust the Lord, CDBJ |