Imagine getting ready to board a plane to get to that vacation island that you have saved up for years, only to find out your ticket is invalid! That would be a devastating moment for anyone. Jesus gave us a plan such that even the unschooled could know and understand through the power of his Holy Spirit. The foundation of your redemption is based upon hearing the true gospel, faith, repentance, obedience.
It
is pertinent to understand that the devil is going to always put fear in our
hearts and cause us to doubt our secure position. Which is why every believer
must always be ready to give an answer when someone asks them about your hope 1 Peter 3:15
A
friend of mine told me that her minister once asked the congregation, “How many
of you believe that you are going to heaven?” Out of a group of about 60 people
3-4 hands went up. Could it be that they were not convinced that God would do
His part? There was a time that I too doubted my salvation. I did not know that
God intended for me to clearly know. The enemy sometimes have God’s children
believing that salvation is like the lottery, we all can buy into it, but not
everyone is guaranteed to win.
EXAMINING YOURSELF TO THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVIDENCE OF SALVATION:
1 John 5:13
“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.”
1) Is my trust completely in Jesus? (Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 4:15)2) Is there a change in my life after I was born again? Is the Fruit of Salvation, or the Fruit of the Spirit evident/visible in my life?
The MOMENT we truly accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our personal Lord and savior, we are born of God's Spirit and God CHANGES our heart. We will start living our lives differently and begin to act differently because of God's Spirit within us. However, some people may visibly CHANGE much quicker than others since visible life CHANGES may vary from person to person, depending on how engrossed in sin that person was at the time of their conversion. But, God knows each person's heart. Nevertheless, when a person is saved, that person should be different; different, NOT PERFECT. And, each of us should continue to strive to mature spiritually in the Lord each day. (Romans 8:9, 12-14; Galatians 5:22-24; 1 John 3:14 & 18-20; 1 John 2:3-4).
3) Does God's Holy Spirit within me witness to my spirit that I am born of God? Do I have confidence and peace in my heart that I am God's child and that God is my Father?
It is normal that at times you may experience some doubts since Satan often accuses God's people and torment them with lies in order to instill some kind of doubts about their salvation. The devil wants you to think you are not saved; resist him and his lies and he will flee. You should always look for the truth concerning your salvation - through the Word of God, not the whispers of the devil. God is willing and able to keep you saved to the end. Trust God and HIS Word Only. (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6)
4) Do I know and feel the Presence of God's Holy Spirit within me, guiding, teaching, convicting me daily? (1 John 4:13; Romans 8:14; Hebrews 12:5-8)
5) Reflect regularly on the moment you sincerely surrendered your life to the LORD and the many times throughout your life He has made Himself REAL to you. Be encouraged, trust God. God is a good God. He will not let you be tricked by the devil, and no one can snatch you out of HIS hand. (John 10:28-29)
If you still doubt you salvation, go to the LORD again about this. Repent before him and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and your doubts. Continue with this for as long as it takes - until there is no longer any doubt in your mind that you are a child of God. This issue must be completely settled forever. In addition, you must continue to make every effort to mature spiritually in the LORD each day, and to be ready, willing and prepared to help others to find the LORD and so the same.
God’s Part in our Salvation
1. To forgive our sins, making
us righteous or in right standing with Him.
2. To rescue us from Satan's
kingdom, translating us into His kingdom, now and eternally, setting us free
from the bondage of sin. We actually are promoted above darkness in authority.
3. To receive us into His
family as dearly loved children, giving us an inheritance, making us heirs of
God and joint heirs with Jesus.
4. To purify us on the inside/out.
5. To give us the gift of the
Holy Spirit
6. To become our guide.
7. To become one with us, to
partner with us.
8. Become a part of the body
of Christ
9. Become his chosen bride
(there is no longer male or female Galatians 3:28).
10. To teach us to worship in spirit and in truth
Keep in mind that there is still so much more.
1 Corinthians 2:9
Below is a quick review on "How to Receive Salvation"SALVATION
HEARING: We must first hear the gospel. Once the word of God’s truth (seed) is heard, then faith begins to be manifested. I encourage you, upon hearing the gospel, compare it with the bible for spiritual truth.
Romans 10:14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
BELIEVE: Ask yourself, “Do I Really Believe the gospel of Christ?”
Paul reminded the Corinthians of the Gospel-
1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Romans 6:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
Acts 4:12 … neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (JESUS)
John 14:6 Jesus told them, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
DECIDE: A decision must be made. Have you place your faith in him. This means that you have given 100% of your heart in to following Jesus. He is both your Savior (you have accepted his salvation) and Lord (You have given him full authority to reigns over your life) Acts 2:36.
REPENT: A change of mind about sin and God, that results in turning from sinning and towards God. The theme of repentance is express through the entire bible. The concept is lined everywhere, even when the word itself is not used.
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Rom 10:13 ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, (Act 3:19 ESV)
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, (Act 17:30 ESV)
And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Act 2:38 ESV)
CONFESS: We confess before God all our sins. Let him know you are sorry, that you have repented and ready to receive a new life with Him. In addition, we cannot be afraid to share our decision publicly. That is why it is call the good news. The first of Christ’s command is that we are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them. (Mathew 28:18).
Romans 10:9
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Luke 9:26
Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Important to Note
There is nothing within our own power that
we can do to save ourselves except turn to God whose desire is for all men to
be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth 1 Timothy 2:4.
Salvation is a free gift. However, we are
called to run in a way so that we will not be disqualified. Once saved is not
always saved. Remain in obedience and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in to
God’s truth daily. I encourage you to do a study on the Holy Spirit as to his
role in a believer’s walk. We are call into fellowship with him. That means a
relationship.
For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of
works, so that no one may boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)
God Bless You,
His Servant
His Servant
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