How do you know when you are saved? That was the big question on our last post, thanks for your responses, they were interesting. As I've pondered this question in the interim I've changed some in my understanding. I'll try to keep this as simple as possible.
If your answer to this question does not contain Jesus Christ's death and resurrection , then your answer is incomplete. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 10:9-10) There is no act or service on our part which guarantees our salvation other than the saving work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. All other answers involve either our efforts or feelings which can not satisfy God nor be trusted. We know we are saved because of the fact that God's Son (God Himself depending on how you look at it) died for our sins and resurrected 3 days later. We are justified (seen as innocent) in God's sight, made righteous, or forgiven depending on how you look at it. This is every bodies standing before God throughout the world at this very moment. Only those who have been called/predestined before the foundation of the world receive that position and live the abundant life God has chosen for those who realize their salvation. (Romans 8:30)
John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV)
John 3:17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (NKJV)
That is why Paul gives us our commission in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." In other words, be at peace with God, cause He's at peace with you. God has in fact given us the faith to even believe. (Romans 12:3) Isn't His grace even more astounding than you first thought?
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift from God; not of works lest we should boast." (NKJV)
Here's another question you can respond to or ponder. If our faith is given to us by God, not of anything we've done to warrant it, then what's our responsibility in our salvation and why should we even try to tell others the good news?
Grace, MB
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
How do you know that you are saved?
I recently had this question posed to me by my uncle. When Ted asks me questions like this I know somethings up. There's something he wants me to see. Ever had that experience? You just know that person is up to something, why would they ask that question? What are they up to? So before I tell you the rest of the story, let me give you some time to answer that question and post a comment or email. There's no right or wrong answer, and no need to write a book. Thanks for your time, have an awesome day with the Lord.
How do you know your saved? or How do you know you are a child of God?
Grace, MB
How do you know your saved? or How do you know you are a child of God?
Grace, MB
Monday, May 4, 2009
You're Forgiven
My favorite show growing up as a kid was "Happy Days". I can still remember the trouble Fonzie had saying "I'm sorry". You know, Fonzie was no different than most of us. Saying "forgive me" or "I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things I've ever done. Seeking forgiveness can not be avoided in this lifetime, we can be such idiots. However there is one person we will never need to ask forgiveness from, God!
Romans 6:10 says, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;"
Ever since I came to an understanding of God's grace, my salvation being secure, I've never asked God to forgive me for my sins. Why should I, they've already been forgiven.
Hebrews 10:14 says "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Now I must say I have on numerous occasions told Him I am sorry, and honestly I may have slipped and said "forgive me", but that's a moot point. Why ask forgiveness for something that's already been forgiven. I think the sinners prayer ought to be edited to say, "Father, thank you for Your forgiveness, I definitely need it. Thanks for giving me the faith to believe in you and trust you. From now on I submit to Your authority and ask that You be my Leader and I will follow. Thanks again, in Jesus name, Amen." The sinners prayer is no magic bullet, it's a guide, in fact, if you feel you need to say the sinners prayer to be saved, I question your readiness for it.
Grace, MB
Romans 6:10 says, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;"
Ever since I came to an understanding of God's grace, my salvation being secure, I've never asked God to forgive me for my sins. Why should I, they've already been forgiven.
Hebrews 10:14 says "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."
Now I must say I have on numerous occasions told Him I am sorry, and honestly I may have slipped and said "forgive me", but that's a moot point. Why ask forgiveness for something that's already been forgiven. I think the sinners prayer ought to be edited to say, "Father, thank you for Your forgiveness, I definitely need it. Thanks for giving me the faith to believe in you and trust you. From now on I submit to Your authority and ask that You be my Leader and I will follow. Thanks again, in Jesus name, Amen." The sinners prayer is no magic bullet, it's a guide, in fact, if you feel you need to say the sinners prayer to be saved, I question your readiness for it.
Grace, MB
Friday, May 1, 2009
What is Faith?
Recently I read one of the best devotions on faith. From a practical side this devotion finally answered the question for me, "what does faith really mean?". Enjoy!
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,"
Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it.
Faith turns a promise into a prophecy. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation, but when we exercise genuine faith in it, it becomes a prophecy. Then we can move ahead with certainty that it will come to pass, because "God...does not lie." from Days of Heaven upon Earth.
I often hear people praying for more faith, but when I listen carefully to them and get to the essence of their prayer, I realize it is not more faith they are wanting at all. What they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.
Faith does not say, "I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it." Instead, faith declares, "God sent it; therefore it must be good for me."
Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold his hand more tightly. Phillip Brooks
(Streams in the Desert. L.B. Cowan, 1997. p 177 May 1)
"Faith is not conjuring up, with an act of your will, a sense of certainty." This statement is what caught my attention. I've said before but it's worth repeating, the faith we have in our Savior Christ Jesus is not something we came up with, it was given to us. John 6:43-44 says, "Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me-that's the only way you'll ever come."" (The Message) Isn't this all the more reason to celebrate the faith you do have, appreciating it all the more because it was given? I think we struggle with our faith after we initially find it because we stop there. If we would continue pursuing God by reading His promises in His Word, our faith would turn into action and hope. The more I learn of God the more grateful I am of His grace, realizing my insignificance and His all-importance.
Grace, MB
Titus 1:1-2 "Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago,"
Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it.
Faith turns a promise into a prophecy. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation, but when we exercise genuine faith in it, it becomes a prophecy. Then we can move ahead with certainty that it will come to pass, because "God...does not lie." from Days of Heaven upon Earth.
I often hear people praying for more faith, but when I listen carefully to them and get to the essence of their prayer, I realize it is not more faith they are wanting at all. What they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.
Faith does not say, "I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it." Instead, faith declares, "God sent it; therefore it must be good for me."
Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold his hand more tightly. Phillip Brooks
(Streams in the Desert. L.B. Cowan, 1997. p 177 May 1)
"Faith is not conjuring up, with an act of your will, a sense of certainty." This statement is what caught my attention. I've said before but it's worth repeating, the faith we have in our Savior Christ Jesus is not something we came up with, it was given to us. John 6:43-44 says, "Jesus said, "Don't bicker among yourselves over me. You're not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me-that's the only way you'll ever come."" (The Message) Isn't this all the more reason to celebrate the faith you do have, appreciating it all the more because it was given? I think we struggle with our faith after we initially find it because we stop there. If we would continue pursuing God by reading His promises in His Word, our faith would turn into action and hope. The more I learn of God the more grateful I am of His grace, realizing my insignificance and His all-importance.
Grace, MB
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