How To Know You Are Really Saved...

 Am I Saved?
How To Know You Are Really Saved.

                         

                       

1 John 3:19-24

Are you facing doubts about salvation? Fear and worry drain people and anxiety can cloud their thoughts, robbing you of the peace and joy that the Lord promises His children. There may be different reasons why some christians are struggling with doubt in regard to salvation.

Sin. Salvation brings forth forgiveness and right standing (God's Righteousness) before him. Focusing on our sins and failures, especially the ones you have already confessed and turned away from- may cause us to doubt that God could forgive us.

Immaturity. New believers may begin to question whether they are truly saved due to ignorance of scripture or the slow process to change.

Emotions. Relying on our feelings rather than the truth in God's word or allowing it to determine our salvation.

Legalism. Uncertainty can take root if christians begin to evaluate their security by performance, or if they fall short of a certain standard. Upon salvation we are delivered from legalism. Instead we live by faith in Christ and experience an intimate relationship with him through His spirit.

Let the word of the Lord calm your soul so you won’t be consumed by fear and doubt (Joshua 1:9) ,that would prevent you from enjoying life and distract you from God's purpose and wonderful plans for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).

“He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit”-(Titus 3:3-8) 

What’s Next? What To Do After Accepting Jesus?

Study The Bible

 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”-(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible is God's word or God's voice. You will only begin to hear and know His voice only when you begin to read the Bible. Get into the habit of reading your bible daily. By committing yourself to studying the Bible you will begin to grow and flourish in the things of God. God's voice is for our hearing:

 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh conveys no benefit [it is of no account]. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life [providing eternal life”- (John 6:63)

Just like food nourishes your body so that you will stay in good health, This is the same way that God's word will nourish your soul for a healthy spiritual life so that you will remain in good spiritual health. We are not just body BUT body, soul and spirit. The word of God will illuminate you with wisdom and guide you to make good moral choices in life, for it is written:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”- (Psalms 119:205)

God The Father wants  you to succeed. In order to live a victorious christian life it’s important to discover yourself- by knowing who you are in Christ. We must come into the knowledge of the spiritual power and authority the Lord wants us to exercise-also the God given purpose the Lord has for our lives.

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. ….” (Hosea 4:6)

Like the saying goes “what you don’t know won’t hurt you”- but that is as far from the truth in regard to your walk with Christ. You can’t afford the cost of ignorance. An ignorant christian is but a blind, powerless, exploited professor of faith. Like my mother always says “Everybody believes something but it doesn’t make it the truth”. There are so many truths in this world. The only way to avoid becoming a victim or being misled by lies, false teachings, deceit and misconceptions- is by reading God's truth available in His word. When we consistently study the Bible we are safeguarded against any deceptions (deceptions of ourselves, God and others). 

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14)

Read My Bible, Then?

Obedience To The Word Of God

A Christian is supposed to be a true reflection of Jesus Christ. We are supposed to be Christ-Like; you become more of a christian the more you obey the teachings of the Bible, which results in leading a holy life like our savior. Your only evidence that identifies you are a christian is your obedience to the word of God. Obedience verifies your faith. It verifies that you were serious about the prayer of salvation that you prayed and your desire to walk with God.

“Even as he (Jesus Christ) spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples”. (John 8:30-31)

Obedience To The Word, Then?

Time For Prayer

Prayer is your means of communication with God, your Father. Daily prayer is all- necessary. To lead a prayerful life is an instruction given to God's children in; (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  to “pray continually”. For example, How would you live on good terms with your earthly parents without talking to them? In the same manner, it is wrong not to communicate  daily with your heavenly Father. He delights in hearing your voice in prayer-He holds your prayers in high regard. He even rewards you for spending time in His presence. It is written:

“But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you.”- (Matthew 6:6)

Why Prayer Is Important

Prayer gives us the opportunity to confess to God our wrong doing (sin). Though during this time the Lord ( in His loving kindness)  will dialogue with you and bring attention to areas you need strengthening. When you are shown areas of weakness, ask the Father to help you to do better and to give you the strength that you need to make Him proud.

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…”- (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Prayer helps us to resist and overcome seen or unforeseen temptation. You will encounter obstacles in your relationship with God that will try to mislead you to part from Him. Temptations are used as a tool of satan to try to destroy the Father-daughter or Father-son relationship by trying to cause you to rebel against God in disobedience. 

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy…”-(John 10:10)

Temptations can come from anywhere, from enemies, circumstances, your own desires and impulses. Though you can always overcome temptation if you want, you can ask the Father to provide wisdom to bring you through it:

“Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous,

But the Lord rescues him from them all.”-(Psalms 34:19)

Prayer is a means of sharing your Joy with the Lord but also the sorrowful moments of your life. God is your loving Father and He sincerely cares about your overall well being. He doesn’t want you to be proud and think you can fix it all on your own. God will NEVER desert you in times when you are down, disappointed, hurt, abandoned or lonely, etc. Even when it feels like He isn’t near, it is written:

 ...“I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”- (Hebrews 13:5 b)

Like My Pastor Reverend Kay El Blessing  always says “ A Christian who doesn’t P.R.A.Y becomes a P.R.E.Y”. So remember a prayerful Christian is alive and powerful and is in touch with God.

Being Prayerful, Then What?

Time to Join A Bible- Holy Spirit Believing Church

You’ve been engrafted into the family of God. Jesus never intended for us to be isolated but to fellowship with other believers. We are to fellowship by loving and being of service to one another as the holy spirit leads. For no single person is self-sufficient. Jesus desires unity amongst believers.

“Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching”- (Hebrews 10:25)

Furthermore, your christian experience is enhanced when you join a church. There is a unity requirement that the word of God speaks of in (John 17:11,21-22) ; we cannot full-fill that requirement when we remain isolated . Many teachings of the bible are more practical when you belong to a church (or christian community):

• Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (James 5:14)  

• “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you”-(1 Timothy 4:14)

• Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10)

If you happen to feel confused as to which church is best for you, be vigilant in prayer, asking God via the help of the Holy-Spirit for guidance. So christianity isn’t just mere lip service or an empty profession of faith but to truly pursue a relationship with God the Father, so he can lead you into the victorious abundant life that He sent Jesus in your place to die for.

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