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So when can do actually know you are saved?
So when can do actually know you are saved?
You may want to read through the epistle of 1 John where the Apostle explains to believers how they can have assurance of salvation.
Greetings Nomad,
How is our friend Reformed Baptist doing?
NewGuy
I don't know GTM. He hasn't been around lately.
Nomad
Does he post here?
NewGuy
well, yes, no offence but I would even wonder if the person saying it was saved because it's all subjective, I don't see any proof of God in all the religious opinions I've heard over the years... others I have spoken to say "just accept it by faith", kind of tautological, I'm saved because I believe I am!Aspen has it right, but I often think that when talking to people unsure, or new in the faith, or even non christian, that using this kind of heavy language can be daunting and really confusing.
How do we know if Jesus is a part of our lives?Really, when it comes down to it, if we pray for fogiveness, really mean it, and then ask Jesus to be a part of our lives, then we're saved.
hmm, where did he say that?We can know we're saved because Jesus said so,
Is it?and His sacrifice is enough to cover all our doubts!
So I have to wait for particular fruit to show? Thinking I believe something isn't enough?All that change, growth and an honest life of repentence, that comes after. Becoming a Christian should change your life, from the inside out it is the 'fruit', the showing, the proof of a Christian life. Its a life long, ongoing process! But being saved? It only takes a moment to realise how badly we need Jesus, and to ask Him into our lives, to ask for forgiveness!
well, yes, no offence but I would even wonder if the person saying it was saved because it's all subjective, I don't see any proof of God in all the religious opinions I've heard over the years... others I have spoken to say "just accept it by faith", kind of tautological, I'm saved because I believe I am!
What about where Jesus says "many will call me Lord, Lord... and I will say depart from me I never knew you".
How can I know I'm not one of these people?
How do we know if Jesus is a part of our lives?
hmm, where did he say that?
Is it?
I though doubting is unbelief / believing lies... a definite no-no?
So I have to wait for particular fruit to show? Thinking I believe something isn't enough?
Whether it's for me or someone else makes no difference, answers are needed to these basic questions.Hey BritGuy. I'm wondering now where you're coming from. I thought you were asking the question in general..."how do we explain ones saved?" But it seems to me now that you are speaking of yourself...which worries me.
How does one know if one loves Jesus?You should know if you're saved or not. Do you love Jesus?
If it is something is wrong, I am still sinning.Do you recognize your sinful nature, have you repented to Christ and asked Him to forgive you....is this an ongoing thing?
Yes, who doesn't?Do you see things in your life that show the Holy Spirits presence? Do you find yourself realising a certain action, thought or attitude is wrong and actively striving to change it or repent of it?
[25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
[For God So Loved the World]
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him
should not perish but have eternal life.
[10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
So we must believe in Jesus, in God, but what does that really mean? This is something I continue to get joy out of, for you see, the more I understand just what Jesus did, who He really is, how wonderful He was and is; the more my belief in Him turns to love! And again we see in scripture just how important love is, how Jesus again and again tells us to love; both God and others!
[8] Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
[37] And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
:-( not the Jesus I read aboutIf you expect a miracle, a wonder, then most likely you will be disappointed.
No, I just want the same.Can God give them, does He? Of course! In the day of Pentecost miracles were everywhere, true; it was important as the new church began to spread. But in expecting a miracle or healing to suddenly come upon you when you believe, when you receive the Holy Spirit is wrong. It's basically you telling God that you want something. God is giving you the gift of salvation...and you want more??
That reminds me of this:That I believe is selfish and childlike. My 6 yr old daughter did the same thing when she prayed to God...she opened her eyes and said "when will it work?".
But the people with the right attitude got the signs following, the magician was sent away with just words!In her cute because her level of understanding is not yet developed, but in a grown person? Sad. When you receive the Holy Spirit, receive grace you do indeed come away with more than 'just words'. Do not be like the magician Simon in Acts, who hungered after what he perceived was great power. He too wanted more than 'just words'.
Surely love is to be faithful to someone, to refuse alternatives?Seriously, If you do not know what love is, than no one will be able to answer your questions.
The bible shows God giving all the disciples, and those they were sent to, the same infilling of his Spirit and it was known when this happened, they spoke in tongues. surely it's unbelief and unfaithfulness to God to ask for or expect different?BritGuy...you say its not selfish to want "the whole package"?? To want salvation, the gift of grace, as well as a miracle, signs, wonders? Who are you to demand that? God gives to each of us as He chooses...after all He is God, sovereign and good.
But if you read on in any of the 4 gospel accounts you will see that Jesus specifically didn't appear to any of that evil and adulterous generation![38] Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
[39] But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
You get this "new heart" phrase from the bible, correct?This is what I've been trying to explain to you...when we become saved the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, a new spirit. Man, that is miracle enough!!
Jesus isn't a serial adulterer or confused... he only set up one church.Im not sure what you're last statement means, that love means refusing alternatives. I have no alternatives,
Jesus doesn't change, neither does the covenant he set up, that's the nature of a covenant.Do you even pretend to live in the same days as Christ or the disciples? Jesus' ministry was establishing who He was and what His mission was. (see again Matt 11:2-6). Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit came on man for the first time...do you expect to see a tongue of flame on your head also?
God has shown what he wants to give, if you are persuaded that he doesn't then that's not God changing his mind, and it doesn't glorify God to acept the alternative.I seriously can't comprehend how you can feel its ok to say 'God must give me a miracle.'
Isn't that the same as saying that God is a pinata and that prayer is a whack stick?? God is a good and just God and we must accept that whatever He does or does not give us is ultimately for His glory. Don't you understand? Life is not about us, about what we can get, about what God can give us...its about Him, about His glory.
"Spiritual gifts" are only mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14 and refer specifically to the meetings-use, *giving* to the church of attributes that all Christians have for private use.Now about tongues...this is a spiritual gift,
and I do believe people have it today...
.. which is what we were talking about, so metioning "gifts" is irrelevant.if you have it, well, that's awesome! My particular gifts are faith and service. Gifts however, receiving them, is very different to 'signs and miracles'.
How come the gentiles also spoke in tongues.?Not all people in the new church received the gift of tongues, the disciples did sure, but the disciples were a very special brand of people. They were eye witnesses to Jesus; His death and resurrection. The disciples were tools of the almighty, yes, they performed miracles in His name, but they also died horribly for their faith. D You are not the same. We are apostles! Apostle means 'messenger or missionary'.
Err, the bible sayss the opposite!Why was tongues such a big thing at Pentecost? Jesus had just told them that they would preach to all the peoples of the earth, and behold! They spoke in tongues and people from many nations understood them and believed!!
You see...all for God's glory!!
Should it be for God's glory, you may witness a miracle. If it's for Gods glory you may even perform one! But demand one? Expect one? Nope.....