Now That I Believe

[GRACE ambassador]

[ Scriptures 'summed' in brackets ] "INTRODUCTION

Someone has just introduced you to the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have been saved from
your sins. Naturally you are very excited and filled with joy, but you are not sure exactly
what has happened to you, nor what is expected of you now that you believe.

This article will serve as a helpful primer for you as a new Christian. In it, we will answer
the following questions:

• What did I believe?

...1. I’m a sinner. [ Rom 3:23; Ecc 7:20 ]...​

​

...2. There are eternal consequences to sin. [ Rom 6:23; Jam 1:15; Eze 18:4; Rev 21:8 ]...​

​

...3. Christ Died for my sins. [ 1Co 15:3; Isa 53:10; Rom 4:25; 1Pe 2:24 ]...​

​

...4. I was saved by believing that Christ Died for my sins.​

[ 1Jo 2:2; Rom 3:22; 1Ti 4:10; Rom 1:16; Rom 5:1; Gal 3:26; Rom 3:25; Eph 2:8 ]...​

​

...5. I was not saved by good works. [ Act 16:31; Tit 3:5; Rom 4:5; 2Ti 1:9: Eph 2:9 ]...​

​

...6. I was not saved by keeping the Ten Commandments.​

[ Exo 15:26; Lev 20:22; Deu 13:18; Deu 26:18; Gal 3:10; Jam 2:10-11;​

Gal 2:16; Gal 3:11; Rom 3:28; Rom 8:3; Gal 3:13; Act 13:39 ]...​

​

...• What happened to me when I believed?...

...• Why should I serve the Lord now that I believe?...

...• How should I serve the Lord now that I believe?...

...• How do I deal with sin now that I believe?...

...• How do I deal with adversity now that I believe?...

...• What does the future hold for me now that I believe?"...

...Conclusion

As you can see, now that you have believed, many wonderful things have happened to
you in the spiritual realm. It is our prayer that these articles will help you make these
spiritual realities actual, substantive and operative in your life. God has fully equipped
you to deal with sin and adversity in your life, and you have a bright future ahead of you,
eternally speaking. May God bless you as you endeavor to

“grow up into Him in all things, Which is The Head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)" [ AV ]​

( credit: R Kurth ):

Encouraging and Edifying Full study:

Now That I Believe Part I

Now That I Believe Part II

Now That I Believe Part III

Also 'helpful primer' for mature saints to pass along, eh?

Amen.

 

[KUWN]

[ Scriptures 'summed' in brackets ] "INTRODUCTION

Someone has just introduced you to the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have been saved from
your sins. Naturally you are very excited and filled with joy, but you are not sure exactly
what has happened to you, nor what is expected of you now that you believe.

This article will serve as a helpful primer for you as a new Christian. In it, we will answer
the following questions:

• What did I believe?

...1. I’m a sinner. [ Rom 3:23; Ecc 7:20 ]...​

​

...2. There are eternal consequences to sin. [ Rom 6:23; Jam 1:15; Eze 18:4; Rev 21:8 ]...​

​

...3. Christ Died for my sins. [ 1Co 15:3; Isa 53:10; Rom 4:25; 1Pe 2:24 ]...​

​

...4. I was saved by believing that Christ Died for my sins.​

[ 1Jo 2:2; Rom 3:22; 1Ti 4:10; Rom 1:16; Rom 5:1; Gal 3:26; Rom 3:25; Eph 2:8 ]...​

​

​

There are no eternal consequences to personal sin. Sin was paid for at the Cross, nobody will answer for his sins (hence the word sin doesn't appear before any judgment passage, for both believers and unbelievers. See 2 Cor 5 and see that sins were imputed to Christ, not the one who commits them. That is one reason all unbelievers have been redeemed but none of them are believers. (See 2 Pt 2.1, and 1 John 2.2) The removal of sins and their penalty does not constitute salvation. Salvation is in believing on the Lord Jesus.

​

...3. Christ Died for my sins. [ 1Co 15:3; Isa 53:10; Rom 4:25; 1Pe 2:24 ]...​

​

...4. I was saved by believing that Christ Died for my sins.​

[ 1Jo 2:2; Rom 3:22; 1Ti 4:10; Rom 1:16; Rom 5:1; Gal 3:26; Rom 3:25; Eph 2:8 ]...​

​

...5. I was not saved by good works. [ Act 16:31; Tit 3:5; Rom 4:5; 2Ti 1:9: Eph 2:9 ]...​

​

...6. I was not saved by keeping the Ten Commandments.​

[ Exo 15:26; Lev 20:22; Deu 13:18; Deu 26:18; Gal 3:10; Jam 2:10-11;​

Gal 2:16; Gal 3:11; Rom 3:28; Rom 8:3; Gal 3:13; Act 13:39 ]...​

​

...• What happened to me when I believed?...

...• Why should I serve the Lord now that I believe?...

...• How should I serve the Lord now that I believe?...

...• How do I deal with sin now that I believe?...

...• How do I deal with adversity now that I believe?...

...• What does the future hold for me now that I believe?"...

...Conclusion

As you can see, now that you have believed, many wonderful things have happened to
you in the spiritual realm. It is our prayer that these articles will help you make these
spiritual realities actual, substantive and operative in your life. God has fully equipped
you to deal with sin and adversity in your life, and you have a bright future ahead of you,
eternally speaking. May God bless you as you endeavor to

“grow up into Him in all things, Which is The Head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)" [ AV ]​

( credit: R Kurth ):

Encouraging and Edifying Full study:

Now That I Believe Part I

Now That I Believe Part II

Now That I Believe Part III

Also 'helpful primer' for mature saints to pass along, eh?

Amen.

 

[rvmb]

There are no eternal consequences to personal sin. Sin was paid for at the Cross, nobody will answer for his sins (hence the word sin doesn't appear before any judgment passage, for both believers and unbelievers. See 2 Cor 5 and see that sins were imputed to Christ, not the one who commits them. That is one reason all unbelievers have been redeemed but none of them are believers. (See 2 Pt 2.1, and 1 John 2.2) The removal of sins and their penalty does not constitute salvation. Salvation is in believing on the Lord Jesus.

""for both believers and unbelievers.""
Unbelievers will have their sins & life judged at the Great White Throne Judgement.
Believers saved by the 1 Cor 15:1:4, Eph1 :13 gospel though eternally saved will be subject to eternal rewards/loss at the Judgement Seat of Christ 1 Cor 3:13-15, 2 Cor 5:10

 

[KUWN]

""for both believers and unbelievers.""
Unbelievers will have their sins & life judged at the Great White Throne Judgement.
Believers saved by the 1 Cor 15:1:4, Eph1 :13 gospel though eternally saved will be subject to eternal rewards/loss at the Judgement Seat of Christ 1 Cor 3:13-15, 2 Cor 5:10

Show me where it says the unbelievers "will be judged for sins at the GWT."

 

[rvmb]

Show me where it says the unbelievers "will be judged for sins at the GWT."

What is the great white throne judgment? | GotQuestions.org

What is the great white throne judgment? When does a person experience the final judgment after death?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Aunty Jane]

Show me where it says the unbelievers "will be judged for sins at the GWT."

Can you tell me what you think Jesus was teaching in this parable of “the sheep and the goats”.....?

Matt 25....
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.....

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . .Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

Doesn’t seem as if the “goats” have anything to look forward to if they end up in the place that God has reserved for satan and his angels. Eternal punishment to a Jew was eternal death....with no hope of a resurrection.

How do you read that Scripture? When does Jesus come in all his glory to judge sheep from goats?
All the nations are before him...

 

[KUWN]

Can you tell me what you think Jesus was teaching in this parable of “the sheep and the goats”.....?

Matt 25....
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.....

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . .Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

Doesn’t seem as if the “goats” have anything to look forward to if they end up in the place that God has reserved for satan and his angels. Eternal punishment to a Jew was eternal death....with no hope of a resurrection.

How do you read that Scripture? When does Jesus come in all his glory to judge sheep from goats?
All the nations are before him...

This post is good support for not seeing the word sin in judgment contexts. Thank you for that.

 

[Aunty Jane]

This post is good support for not seeing the word sin in judgment contexts. Thank you for that.

Not an answer to the question....what are the “goats” guilty of so that they deserve the same penalty as the devil and his angels? What do they fail to do, that the “sheep” do without even knowing that they are qualifying for life?

What does “sin” mean? Is there more than one kind of sin?
Who are the victims of it?
And how bad does the “sin” have to be, for the “goats” to warrant the sentence passed on them?

 

[Moontan13]

Show me where it says the unbelievers "will be judged for sins at the GWT."

I'd like to hear teachings about the GWT. I've heard things like this is where the Saved might get a head pat for being a good husband or a smack. This may be for jobs in the millennial kingdom.

 

[KUWN]

Can you tell me what you think Jesus was teaching in this parable of “the sheep and the goats”.....?

Matt 25....
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.....

And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . . .Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

Doesn’t seem as if the “goats” have anything to look forward to if they end up in the place that God has reserved for satan and his angels. Eternal punishment to a Jew was eternal death....with no hope of a resurrection.

How do you read that Scripture? When does Jesus come in all his glory to judge sheep from goats?
All the nations are before him...

I looked through your post and didn't find the word or concept of sins. The sheep and goats are separated at the Second Coming of Christ.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I looked through your post and didn't find the word or concept of sins. The sheep and goats are separated at the Second Coming of Christ.

How will we know that Christ has come? What did he tell us? (Matt 24:3-14)

And why did you need a mention of sin when that is a given to any Christian.....the very reason for Christ’s sacrifice?

 

[Moontan13]

How will we know that Christ has come? What did he tell us? (Matt 24:3-14)

And why did you need a mention of sin when that is a given to any Christian.....the very reason for Christ’s sacrifice?

Sin must be always mentioned because Christians look for a work around so they can sin, feel good and know they're already forgiven, which they are. That's not joy in obedience to the Lord. A wave of joy came to me over a year ago with "The Knowledge Of The Holy" by AW Tozer. In this thin small book, Tozer takes the attributes of God, explains them ~and~ the implications. It also talks about the things we ~cannot~ know. Some will attempt to illustrate the difference between God and men by saying something like "we are to God like hamsters are to people". That's not accurate. The gulf between us and God is much much greater, and this is very much so in intellect. Omniscience means we cannot tell God anything he doesn't already know, and He wants us to pray without ceasing. Why is that? I think it's because it forces us to understand Him in his His Omnipresent state. If you talk to him constantly, He's always there. That's for us, so we remain in his light.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Sin must be always mentioned because Christians look for a work around so they can sin, feel good and know they're already forgiven, which they are. That's not joy in obedience to the Lord.

I agree 100%...many who believe OSAS are those who can justify sin because Jesus has already paid for it.....the mistake they make is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”...who does that leave out?

Who was “saved” before Christ came? How did the Jews come to have remission for their many sins?
They were allowed by God to enjoy a temporary means of forgiveness in animals sacrifices, which were a constant reminder of their need for a Savior who would give to God the full payment for their sins.

This means that all our past sins are forgiven, before we came to a knowledge of the Savior....but once we commit to God the Father, who is also the God of Jesus, we start with a clean slate, knowing that all past transgressions are wiped off that slate. But what happens once we know better and have made a commitment to God on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice...and we fall into sin..what then?

Peter tells us...
“Certainly if after escaping from the defilements of the world by an accurate knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they get involved again with these very things and are overcome, their final state has become worse for them than the first. 21  It would have been better for them not to have accurately known the path of righteousness than after knowing it to turn away from the holy commandment they had received. 22  What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog has returned to its own vomit, and the sow that was bathed to rolling in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-22)

Not a pretty picture, is it? Once a “Christian” commits a sin and is aware of it, they cannot automatically charge it to Jesus without crucifying him all over again....genuine repentance with a view to never committing that sin again is required. Without repentance, there can be no forgiveness.

A wave of joy came to me over a year ago with "The Knowledge Of The Holy" by AW Tozer. In this thin small book, Tozer takes the attributes of God, explains them ~and~ the implications. It also talks about the things we ~cannot~ know.

How can a mere human talk about things we cannot know....that is a contradiction isn’t it?
God tells us humans what we need to know, but not necessarily what we want to know. Isn’t that what God us into trouble in the first place? Certain knowledge was withheld from the first humans for their own benefit ...and under penalty of death should they desire what God had claimed as his own property.

I am wary of those who go “beyond what is written”.....because all that is written in God’s word is enough for us to be able to discern the will of God and carry it out.

Some will attempt to illustrate the difference between God and men by saying something like "we are to God like hamsters are to people". That's not accurate. The gulf between us and God is much much greater, and this is very much so in intellect. Omniscience means we cannot tell God anything he doesn't already know, and He wants us to pray without ceasing. Why is that? I think it's because it forces us to understand Him in his His Omnipresent state. If you talk to him constantly, He's always there. That's for us, so we remain in his light.

I see clearly, God’s Omniscience stated in Scripture...what I do not see is any “Omnipresence”. Jesus gives God a location that we all know from the Lord’s Prayer. It is also the location from which he was sent by his God and Father. God’s Omniscience allows him to know everything about everything...he doesn’t need to be present anywhere, but where he abides, he sees everything.

Why do we need to “pray incessantly” ? Because this tells God a lot about us.....whether we are living our lives, “our way” or “God’s way”.....Having the ability to read hearts not just minds, the Father sees where our prayers are coming from.....from our heart or from our head, by repeating something we learned as children.
Are our prayers a conversation with our Father in heaven? Does the content of our prayers echo the same priority as Jesus gave in his model prayer? What did he list in order of importance?

Today’s “Christianity”, In all its divergence, proves one thing....that “the Christ exists divided”....carved up amongst the incessant rabble and confusion of Christendom....who all claim him as their “Lord”.

Paul wrote....
“Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you should all speak in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you may be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.”

Does this describe the churches of Christendom? If not then what is wrong with that picture?

If at the judgment, Jesus says to those who identify him as their “Lord”.....
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22  Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23  And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew* you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’” (Matt 7:21-23)

Who is Jesus addressing, and are they aware that he rejected them a very long time ago....? “Never” means “not ever”.....so right from their beginnings, Jesus has not recognised them as his own....

What if we are on that list of those whom he has never known? How can we tell?

 

[shepherdsword]

There are no eternal consequences to personal sin. Sin was paid for at the Cross, nobody will answer for his sins (hence the word sin doesn't appear before any judgment passage, for both believers and unbelievers. See 2 Cor 5 and see that sins were imputed to Christ, not the one who commits them. That is one reason all unbelievers have been redeemed but none of them are believers. (See 2 Pt 2.1, and 1 John 2.2) The removal of sins and their penalty does not constitute salvation. Salvation is in believing on the Lord Jesus.

This is totally untrue. While sin was paid for at the cross only by faith can we know him. Jesus said this would happen to those that didn't know him:

Jn 8:19-21
9 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.