I was listening to a preacher online and he was talking about assurance of salvation. He talked about 1 John and how this book has a bunch of tests on how a person knows if they are saved. We know that we are children of God:
1. If we acknowledge Jesus as Christ, who came in flesh as the Son of God? (2:22-23; 4:15; 5:1)
2. If we living in the light: hating the things of the world, living in righteousness, loving our brothers and obeying God's commands? (1:5-7) (2:10; 3:14) (2: 3-6; 3:24) (2:29) (2:15-17)
3. If we confessing our sins and have we stopped living or continuing in sin? (1:8-10) (3:6-10)
4. If we have His Spirit? (4:13)
We are saved by grace 100%. But the evidence that we are saved is by a changing in our lives because of the Spirit that lives in us. Not by a prayer that we said at one time in our lives.
I was thinking about this and I believe that when I was saved was not when I was 6 as I had thought. I think that it was later in high school because that is when changes started happening in my life. That is when I wanted to conform my life to Jesus. That was when the Holy Spirit really convicted my heart for the first time about my need to change in my relationship with dad and where He began a work in me. That is where I began to love more and began to see the things of the world not so desirable.
How about you guys? When would you say that you've gone from death to life?
Love you all lots!
Lynne
Very good discussion topic Netty.
ReplyDeleteI know that I prayed to ask Jesus into my heart when I was 5 years old. It was after a church service and I remember being very fearful about life and having heard many times about the need to have Jesus to make me clean so that I could get to heaven, that's what I did. However, it really wasn't until I was 13 before I truely understood in a more mature way what Christ has done for me and that I needed to have a personal relationship with Him. My desire for this relationship and commitment to walking close to the Lord has been an ongoing learning process. There have been times in my life where my desire and walk have been stronger and closer and times when I have been occupied with other things. I say this not to justify the times I didnot pursue God but to state it factually. Through all these times God has been faithful and has desired the relationship. Today, I am challenged to live more openingly and even more radically for God. Recently I read a book that really challenged me to think what it means to live radically for Him. The author refers to Biblical passages which speak condemingly about those who live a lukewarm Christian life. This month, Dad and I are participating in EHDS. The theme is "Vessels of Living Water". My prayer is that God would mold me and shape me to be the type of vessel that He can use and that He would examine my life and break off those areas that are not 'good' or useless. Just like ocean smooths stone overtime, I want to be made useful for the Lord.
I agree with your Momma - you have posted on an interesting (and vitally important) topic Lynnette. As part of my comments, I refer to the following verses from the gospel of John:
ReplyDeleteJohn 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
John 5:24 I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
I strongly believe that I was saved when I first accepted the Lord at the 11 - even at that age, I had felt the stain and guilt of sin in my life, even though I couldn't properly articulate those thoughts and feelings.
Yes, God certainly tests us in life, but I believe that the Lord chooses to do this when He knows it will most benefit (reprove) us - tests are part of the refining process, not the beginning point of salvation: The scripture verses I have referred to provide conclusive evidence that acceptance of Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour is the point at which salvation begins. That is why I believe that you were saved when you first accepted the Lord Jesus at the age of 6 - if the Lord had chosen to call you home any time before He began to test you, I am convinced that you would certainly have gone to heaven, as would have been the case with Wes and Rebekah as well - I am sooooo thankful that God, in His divine mercy and grace, chose not to do that though!
I hope my comments are helpful and add to this discussion. Thanks for posting them Honey!!
Love always and forever,
Dad