As we walk
through life we have assurances of many things.
We actually take our car insurance and home insurance to ease our
conscience and let us know that no matter what we are assured, we will be fine
if there is a problem. We search for
colleges, homes and apartments, to find out where to go, what to do and where
to live and when we understand those we are assured. However, I have ran across a great problem in
the Body of Christ, while we may be assured of those things, we aren’t always
assured of salvation. The truth is many
of us either don’t believe we are saved or don’t feel like we are good enough
to stay saved, but what’s the Bible say?
Salvation is
a question that has plagued humanity, some people desire it and others hate
it. Some people want it and some people
obtain it and there is a difference between both. In the process of life we are always
wondering what happens after death and what to do about it. Salvation is a topic that is vitally
important to anyone’s spiritual life as a Christian, but at the same time it’s
a topic that often hinders us because we don’t really have a full
understanding.
In Romans
the first chapter the Apostle Paul begins to build a case against man that says
nothing we do can validate us in the sight of God, all of us have sinned and
come short of Gods glory, all of us have strayed and gone away from the path of
righteousness. Paul begins to prove to us that no matter how good we are
whether morally or spiritually something still hinders us from full acceptance
from God. In the fifth chapter of Romans
he begins to explain that our justification and peace with God is based on our
faith in Jesus Christ, not our works.
In chapter
seven he explains the problem with sin and its nature. Sin is something that is deeper than an
action, sin goes deep down into the heart and tries our motives. Jesus said whoever looks with lust commits
adultery and nobody can tell when you look with lust except God. The fact that we have a sinful nature inside
of us means when we desire to do the right thing, we have to battle the sinful
nature inside of us. The wrong side of
us.
When one
side says, give a little extra to the Church this week and the other side says
there’s a new Playstation game coming out.
When the other side says delete the pornography and God has the ability
to set you free, the other side says let’s just keep a few videos in a personal
file on the computer. One side says
don’t drink alcohol it’s not the will of God and one side says its ok doesn’t
the Bible say Jesus drank wine?
He explains
the struggle of trying to be holy and the fact that we can’t actually attain
perfection in our mortal body due to sin and its reign our body. The same Paul
who preached it’s by grace that we are saved through faith had trouble in his
personal life, someone might say it was an anger problem. Paul was devoted to the service of God, he
was serious about his call and passionate about his purpose.
Acts 15
describes the problem. In the process of a missionary journey John Mark was a
little homesick and desired to go home and in the next opportunity for a
missionary journey Barnabas wanted to take him with them again and Paul was
irate, he was angered and separated from both of them, the Bible actually says there
was a sharp disagreement and they parted ways.
Paul wrote half of the New Testament yet he wasn’t perfect.
That same
Paul was located on this road to Damascus on the way to kill and persecute
Christians and try to stop the Church’s growth and God intervened in his life,
right in the middle of doing all the wrong he could do Paul encounters the same
God who he sought to destroy, Jesus Christ.
Paul tells
us that even in our sin that grace abounded all the more. Even today I was up early in the morning and
I was angry at certain things in my life, even angered at God for allowing it
but I soon realized how blessed I am, how much God has done for me, how much He
cares and how much He loves me. I was driving to Starbucks and I was explained
to God how I was confused that I did all of that this morning and He still
loves me and that very scripture was quoted to me, while I was in sin, living
in sin, wallowing in sin and knowing nothing about God, grace, undeserved favor
was surrounding me, covering me from certain things that would have taken my
life, because God has a purpose.
God has a
purpose for your life too. Paul the
Apostle knew that God had something in mind when he was called on this very
road to Damascus, He knew something had to be done. He was the one for the job, everything he
knew and did was leading up to this moment, and that’s how it is with you. Paul said later on in Philippians 3 that he
had not yet reached his goal and he was not perfect, but how Christ took hold
of him and Paul desired to attain that very thing that God had in store for
him, the work God had called him to do and that’s the same for you.
God has a
work for you to do, but a necessary thing is to know you are saved. To know you aren’t saved by your works, by
your deeds, by your offering, by your worship, by your praise, by your biblical
knowledge, by your prophesy, by your aspirations to preach and proclaim the
Gospel or any other thing that you may think of. All of these things are by products of
salvation. Those will come after
salvation.
God has
already pre-destined good works for us to walk in, but first we have to know we
are secure in Christ. There’s no way we
can get past the trials and tribulations of life based on your works, but we
can by our faith, the same faith that saved us is the same faith that can keep
us in the times of struggles and hardships.
Your
knowledge of your assured salvation is necessary to walk in the power of the
Spirit. Your salvation isn’t based on perfection, but rather confession. It’s written that if we confess Jesus Christ
as our LORD and believe in our heart we shall be saved in Romans 10. It’s a choice we have to make, don’t worry
about your lifestyle, God will clean it up when you give Him your life, but
that’s the choice you have to make.
Paul later
understood by his own testimony that he describes in 1 Timothy’s first chapter
that it was the fact that grace was the very thing that drew him to Christ and
gave him a shot at a new life. That’s
what gave me a shot and if you don’t know Jesus Christ, that’s what can give
you a shot at a new life.
You may be
struggling with a sin, a habit, an ego, sex, pride whatever it may be, but God
can give you grace to overcome it. Grace
is love in its purest form. Grace is
unmerited favor. It’s doing something for someone who doesn’t even deserve it
and every so often we should just bless someone randomly, you don’t have to buy
them a car or a house or even find them a spouse, say a prayer, offer a ride,
do something they didn’t expect, keep your ears open to what they enjoy and
bless them, God might give you the opportunity to witness and win a person to
Christ, saving their souls for Eternity.
You know God does works in mysterious ways.
The truth
is, we as believers in Jesus Christ can know we are saved according to the
written and divinely inspired Word of God. John the Apostle wrote in his epistle that
part of the whole purpose of it was so that we can know that we have eternal
life, not guess, not a maybe or a if you do this, that we may know. If we don’t search the Word of God for our
answers, we will end up listening to the wrong advice, the wrong teaching and
false doctrine will creep into our hearts and lives, leaving us in
confusion.
If you
listen to the wrong people and accept the wrong teaching, you will have a
problem wearing the armor of God: you might end up putting on:
The false
Gospel of condemnation
The broken
sword of false doctrine
Your belt of
half-truth
The shoulder
pads of self-righteousness
The shoes of
separation from you and God
You don’t
have a helmet of salvation to hold on too, because your helmet is conditional,
it’s only on when you think you are morally and spiritually pure
And don’t
forget The shield of works
Instead of
putting on the whole armor and being able to keep it on by faith, instead of
your works which vary daily based on your mood and ability.
The fact
remains that in order to persevere in the Christian life, you knowledge of God
has to start to go above your knowledge of sin and want for it. We have to learn how to let certain things go
and embrace the things of God.
People don’t
like salvation being eternally because they are self-righteous and prideful,
they think they are saved because of what they do and if they see a brother or
sister in Christ living in sin, they don’t pray for them, they question their
salvation and get prideful thinking they are saved because they just witnessed
last week or they just starved their flesh through fasting.
Salvation
isn’t by works, so keeping salvation isn’t by works either. The truth is, if you could lose your
salvation, it would have already been gone.
Moses knew about a book that God had, in the process of Moses
interceding for the children of Israel God wanted to wipe the children of
Israel out, however, Moses said blot me out of your book and God said I won’t
do that.
Flipping
over to Luke’s Gospel the disciples ran back to Jesus excited about the fact
that demons were subject to the name of Jesus. Jesus then teaches them that
it’s not good to rejoice over that, because works are temporal, but salvation
is eternal. Jesus said don’t rejoice in
that, rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Why would Jesus say rejoice over that, if it
was possible that you could lose it?
That doesn’t make sense and it’s not the character of God.
Who gives
gifts and takes it back? It wouldn’t be a gift, it would be a loan. The truth is, the reason why your salvation
isn’t in your hands is because you aren’t in control at all, you aren’t even in
your own hands.
God has to
perform the good work that He desires in and through you and the more we resist
the Holy Spirit the less fruit God receives from our life. You might have done something good for God,
but God might not recognize it because of inward motives of pride and self-righteousness.
The question isn't am I going to stay saved, the question is are you saved? So I
ask you, are you saved?
_____________________________________________________________
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as
your personal Lord and Savior?
If not, here’s what you are missing.
You are missing satisfaction in life. You are missing the blessings of
God in and through your life. You are missing the blessing of being able to
know God intimately and know Him for the pardoning of your sins. You are missing the blessing of being able to
serve God and impact your community and the world around you. You are missing the beauty of God revealing
Himself to you and helping you in your daily life. You are missing out on such
great things. God wants the best for you
and His best starts with you admitting you have sinned against Him and that you
need a Savior for your sins, that Savior is Jesus Christ. Like me, will you rebel against God’s plan
and will for your life? Will you submit to Gods will so He can save you and
redirect your life? God can get you off
any drugs, any habit or addiction, nothing can stop God and God will stop at
nothing to stop it from stopping you from reaching your full potential for
Christ. God loves you so much, why wait
and why reject His message. If you want
to be saved for-real, just pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I have sinned, I am a sinner, I have sinned and will sin, but I
have sinned only against You. Lord, I am in need of Your forgiveness. I believe
You died for my sins and You rose from the dead. I believe You are God and that
You have the capability to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me from my
unrighteousness. Lord, please save me and draw me to You by Your grace. Fill me
with Your Spirit. Baptize me in Your power and help me to live a lifestyle that
is pleasing in Your sight. Give me victory over temptation, Lord, strengthen me
to be all who You want me to be please in Jesus Name! AMEN!”
"God loved the world this way:
He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will
have eternal life." ~ John 3:16 (God’s Word Translation)
"That
if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting
in salvation. For
the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [disappointed.” For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord
of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the
name of the Lord will be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9-13 (NASB)
These links may help you in your walk with Jesus Christ. I urge you to take a look at some and
remember to draw closer to God through studying His Word and praying daily for
yourself and most importantly, others.
God Bless!
[List of Bible Promises!
http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 ]
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
~ Romans 10:17 (King James Version)
http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/PrayerAndCounseling/index.aspx [Prayer
Request; Have someone online pray for you!]
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces
wonderful results." ~ James 5:16 (New Living Translation)
http://www.OurPrayer.org [Prayer Request; People from all over the world can
pray for YOU, simple, fast, free and beneficial.]
http://www.Bible.cc [Great site for searching through the Bible and
comparing each version, also charts, commentaries and dictionaries]
"Don’t get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be
filled with the Spirit." ~ Ephesians 5:18 (Gods Word Translation)
http://www.biblegateway.com [Great site for Bibles of various kinds and
various languages]
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the
bones." ~ Proverbs 14:30 (New International Version)
http://www.Christianword.org [Great site for prayers; affirmations,
scripture references etc.]
http://www.e-sword.net [Great site to download Bible software; commentaries,
dictionaries, maps, charts, various Bibles]
"A patient person [shows] great understanding, but a quick-tempered one
promotes foolishness." ~ Proverbs 14:29 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
http://www.twft.org [Pastor Chuck Smith's Through The Bible audio sermons]
http://www.c28.com [Christian Clothing, etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/itrn?utm_source=ITM&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Home_top_slider
[In Touch Ministries 24/7 Radio Broadcast Online; Free Streaming]
http://www.intouch.org/resources/gods-promises?page480=2 [List of Bible
Promises! (Easy to Print)]
"In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children
will have refuge." ~ Proverbs 14:26 (New American Standard Bible)
http://www.wmpress.org [FREE Christian Tracts] [Shipped to your doorstep for
free.] [Pass out, leave somewhere (school, bus stop, grocery store, mall,
shopping center, etc.), send in a Birthday, Holiday or Christmas Card; Simple
ways to plant seeds of faith in people, even without speaking.]
[ORDER FORM for WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/booklet_order.php [BOOKLETS/STUDY GUIDES/ GOSPEL TRACTS
AVAILABLE TO ORDER FROM WMPRESS.ORG] http://www.wmpress.org/bksavail.shtml
http://www.intouch.org/about/in-touch-messenger/messenger-downloads
[Download 35 POWERFUL sermons from Charles Stanley in less than five minutes,
compressed ZIP FILE.] [3 Languages; Pray for the Ministry of donating, giving
and supplying these handheld devices to spread the Gospel to the remote areas
of the world and throughout the 'known' world.] [Pray!]
"For, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved." ~ Romans 10:13 (American Standard Version)
http://www.thruthebible.org/site/c.irLMKXPGLsF/b.4104233/k.BFE1/MP3_Download_of_5Year_Series.htm
[Dr. J Vernon McGee's Through The Bible 5 Year Series; Free downloads]
[THREE Great Biblical Prayers Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 1:16-20 &
Colossians 1:9-14, pray them for you and others!]
http://www.biblegateway.christianbook.com [Buy Christian Bibles, great
selection of Study Bibles, commentaries, audio sermons, books, clothing, music,
gifts, art; etc.]
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio [Charles Stanley's daily
radio broadcast; also clicking 'Audio Archives' can allow you to search years
back and download more of his radio broadcasts]
"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and
peace while you trust in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the
Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 15:13 (New Century Version)
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/this-week-on-tv [Charles Stanleys 'This
Week on TV' site; clicking 'Video Archives' can allow you to search back and
find older Television shows; He also has sermon notes available on each
show/segment]
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." ~
Romans 5:5 (English Standard Version)
http://www.twft.com/?page=C2000 [Pastor Chuck Smiths c2000 Through The Bible
series; free downloads of book by book, verse by verse Bible study/commentary]
"May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your
knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord." ~ 2 Peter 1:2 (New Living
Translation)
http://twft.com/?page=Radio.Main [Pastor Chuck Smiths Radio Broadcast; 25
minutes of study on the Word of God. c3000 edition]
[Study Bibles I suggest looking at; at CBD.com] 'Life in The Spirit Study
Bible' 'Zondervan Study Bible' Nelson KJV Study Bible' and 'ESV Study Bible.'
Christian Books; "Disciplines of The Holy Spirit" by Tan/Gregg;
"How to Listen to God" by Charles Stanley; "Living Waters"
by Pastor Chuck Smith; "Handbook for Christian Living" by Charles
Stanley;
"That I may KNOW Him" ~ Philippians 3:10
Start your day off with a Word from God; Prayer and a Song of Praise/Worship
THE ROYAL PRAYER LINE
Every Wednesday Morning
6:15 a.m. - 6:30 a.m.[EASTERN USA TIME]
Dial-in# (712) 432-1001
Access Code: 491276491#
Just Listen and Be Blessed!!!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/royal-baptist-sunday-services [PAST SERVICES
OF ROYAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST; SUNDAY SERVICES 8 AND 11 AM; Special Events and
Bible Study as well] Enjoy!
http://royalmbc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=109
[My Churches Live Streaming; Sunday's at 8 AM & 11 AM. Thursdays for Bible
Study 7 PM; Enjoy, there IS a Word from The LORD!]
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