Thursday, September 11, 2008

Are you Saved?

This might just be one of the biggest questions you face this side of eternity.

You might hear some refer to it as Assurance of Salvation. But honestly would God really leave us in the dark about what is to come after our earthly death? Is there more to this life than just work, eat, and sleep?

The Bible in 1 John 5:13 says: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

Is believing in Jesus the same as following Jesus? A lot of people think they are Christians, but many of them are deceived! Let's not be fooled, not all who claim to be part of God's family are, in fact, genuine members. I would think most reading this post believe in Jesus. James 2:19 tells us "You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe - and tremble!"

Did you know that statistics show that over 90% of the people who live in the United States believe in God. I would follow that statistic with how many of those that believe really follow Jesus?

Is your pattern of living lining up with the pattern of Jesus Christ? Do you desire holiness? For those that claim to be SAVED, are you noticing a pattern of change in your life? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Honestly ask yourself, has your pattern of living changed since you have been SAVED? If not, then maybe your not saved and are just one of the deceived ones!

How often do you read God's Word? Genuine disciples of Christ abide in Jesus' Words. John 8:31-32 says: Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Christians that want Jesus as their Savior, but not as their Lord, would be ones that don't feed off the Word of God. Why? Because the Bible says that "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

I'll end by saying this....

If you don't desire a life of holiness then you probably don't desire to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

We Christians need to learn to control our earthly bodies. We should strive to train ourselves to be godly! We don't become like Christ because we go to Church or pray a prayer one time. It's not the people around us that will make us more like Christ, it starting with the basics, read your Bible daily, pray daily, reflect on the change in your life.

Work out your salvation with trembling and fear! Don't trust in your own efforts, just trust in God's. It saddens me everyday to see people, including Christians that waste away their freedom and salvation. We should all learn to live life in view of the judgment seat of Christ. Maybe then Christians would act in a rightful manner!

Keep pressing, keep praying, keep pursuing holiness cause without it you won't see the Lord!!!

1 comment:

Howard Shepherd said...

I like your insight on God vs. Jesus.
There are many (so called) gods but regarding Jesus, there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved.