Thursday, February 12, 2009

You can know for sure!


1 John 5:13 - "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life; and that you might believe on the name of the Son of God."

Many people are so confused and miserable about their standing with God. They hope they're saved, but when nailed down, they don't know for sure. For many, they never were saved; for others they were, but as 2 Peter 1 talks about, because they weren't adding to their salvation, "They forgot that they were purged from past sins." I don't understand how people can live their lives and face death with something they're only hoping for. And God didn't intend for His children to live this way. Salvation is something we can know for sure. We can have a confident assurance that we are saved and have eternal life.

Romans 8 is a great passage describing the victory that we have in Jesus. And we do have victory in Jesus! Not because of our goodness, but because of His mercy and grace! Verse 1 tells us we are not condemned. Verse 9 tells us the Spirit of God dwells in us. Verse 14 tells us that we are led by the Spirit. Verse 15 tells us that we don't have the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father. Verse 16 tells us that "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Verses 23 and 24 tell us that we are eagerly waiting for our redemption, which will take place when Christ returns. Verse 26 tells us that Spirit will help us pray. Verse 28 tells us that all things are working for our good. Verse 29 tells us that God foreknew us and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Verse 31 says "If God is for us who can be against us?" Verse 37 tells us we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! And verses 38 and 39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord! What an awesome passage of Scripture!

So if you've been struggling with your salvation and where you would spend eternity, here are a few questions to ask based on Romans 8 to help you work out your own salvation with fear and trembling as Philippians tells us to do:

1. Am I on an upward path - led by the Spirit? v. 14
2. Am I afraid of where I will spend eternity? v. 15
3. Does the Spirit comfort me about salvation or convict me? V.16 And
4. Am I eagerly awaiting the return of Christ, or does that scare me? V. 23, 24

If the Holy Spirit is convicting you, then now is the day of salvation. If the thought Christ's return scares you because you don't know that you are saved and will be taken to be with him, now is the accepted time. If you're afraid and unsure, settle it today! Salvation is too serious; Heaven is too sweet; Hell is too hot; and eternity is too long to not be sure you're saved. Call on the name of the Lord and be saved today! God bless you!

3 comments:

Wilson S. said...

It's interesting that you would post a blog on this topic. Our pastor was not able to take the pulpit Wednesday night, so I filled in for him. While in prayer about the message the Lord would have me bring, the Holy Spirit kept convicting my heart that there are many in our church who profess Christ, and probably even think they're saved, but are as lost as the rich young ruler.
The Spirit led me to 2 Cor. 13:5, which says, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
We need to know FOR SURE whether we are in the faith! How sad it will be for someone who thinks they're in good shape to wake up one day and find out that there is an entrance to Hell at the very gates of Heaven.

Nathan Wilkerson said...

It is sad that someone can grow up in the Church but not be in Christ. And others who are in Christ are not growing in Him and therefore have no peace, joy and assurance. Until that first question is settled, none of the others will be either.

Colvin5776 said...

I personaly use that verse when I go and witness.

In fact two weeks ago when we went out wittnessing...I asked this person the question "Do you know where you would go if you died right now"...and the person said "I don't think so"....What a great verse for someone to use to let them know that the bible tells us that WE CAN KNOW THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!!!" Long story short after I showed him the gospel, He prayed that sinners prayer,... and I just asked him a few min ago..."Do you know where you would go"....I am pleased to tell you that he said "I am Saved!"

Amen...We can know that we know!