35 replies to this topic

[Kenny]

I have titled this article, Knowing For Sure That You're Saved.

It could also be called, How to know for sure that you have been saved, or Evidence that you have been saved.

 

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

 

In the above verse we are command to examine yourself. What are we to examine our self  for? We are to examine our self to see whether or not we are in the faith, meaning the Christian faith, or faith in Christ Jesus. In other words, we are to perform a self-examination to see whether or not we are truly in the faith, and whether our faith is imagined or genuine. Hopefully we will pass the examination rather than fail.

 

So how do we go about examining ourselves? What tests does Scripture provide us with? And what evidence do we have that we have been saved?

 

First of all 1 John 5:13 says; that believers can know that they possess eternal life. That is, you can know, not think, or hope you are saved. You can know for sure that you are saved.

 

One of the evidences of having been truly saved is found in 2 Cor 5:17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

 

If you have truly been saved, there will be evidence in the form of changes which have been wrought in your life. These changes can vary among those who have been saved. When a person becomes saved, he/she has remorse for sin, they can be given a new attitude and new outlook on life. The saved person will be given a new world view, and new desires. The old desires and old way of thinking will pass away. Another evidence is the ability to now understand what God's word says, whereas it previously seemed obscure. A saved person will have a hunger or appetite along with a new desire to want to spend time reading God's word and being instructed by God as they spend time in the word. Other evidences are mentioned as the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-24. There could be many other changes which I have not mentioned. But as I previously stated, the changes vary among individuals Nevertheless, there will be changes evident in the truly saved person. The old will pass, and the new will come.

 

The last (and possibly the most important) evidence of having been truly saved is found in Romans 8:16 which says; The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

In other words, if you are truly saved, God's Spirit will witness internally with your God given human spirit that you are now a child of God. 

 

So if you have examined yourself, and looked for the evidences which Scripture provides us with and have passed the self examination then congratulations. Welcome to the family of God.

On the other hand, if you have failed the self examination, then you need to pray and ask God to begin a new work within you so that you too may pass the self examination and know without any doubt that you are saved and have become a child of God.

 

Blessings

[Candice]

Hi Kenny,

 

I've done the self-examination ad nauseum!!  I would like to KNOW I'm saved.  But that is something that may never come to me.  I believe I am saved because I know I am a sinner, that there's no hope for me other than Christ's death on the cross and his defeat of death.  I know what the word of God says about being saved and that is where I'm hanging my hat - my assurance is on what God says, not what I feel.

 

I have totally different desires - well not totally, because there still are days I will spend too much time doing something that isn't sin, but is a waste - I will deal with the flesh for the rest of my days on earth. I would like it to be different.  Maybe it will.  Maybe I will arrive.  Has anyone every really arrived?

 

Even Paul, at a time which, I believe, was near the end of his ministry and life said, " I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Romans 7:15. 

 

I'm so very happy and grateful that some people KNOW.  I find that fewer people KNOW that don't KNOW.  I'm emphasizing KNOW over BELIEVE because the KNOWING seems to be less tangible for me.  I believe.  I believe. Is this enough?  Is it not enough?  Do I live a life free of flesh?  No, not yet.  But, "Christ in me, the hope of glory", is all I'm counting on in this life. 

 

Blessings,

Candice

[Kenny]

Hi Kenny,

 

I've done the self-examination ad nauseum!!  I would like to KNOW I'm saved.  But that is something that may never come to me. 

 

Blessings,

Candice

 

Candice

 

Once again I believe in Scripture which says:

 

These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13

 

How can we KNOW?

By examining ourselves as 2 Cor 13:5 says

 

 

Blessings

 

 

[Kevin Blankenship]

My experience is much like Candace's concerning the assurance of the believer.  So, everything that she wrote, is applicable to my situation. (You didn't know that we's that much alike did ya Candace)  Just goes to show ya, women and men can share some strong similarities.) (In spite of that "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus new age crap....but I digress) 

  I struggle with the flesh everyday. Often, I wonder if God is even bothering helping me. Hey, let's just be honest here and tell folks how we REALLY feel!!!   Often, I BEG God to somehow let me know that my name is wirtten in the Lamb's Book of Life. I just GOT to know!!!

   Let's look at the inverse side of this:  does a lost person,  one that does NOT have faith in the saving power of the blood of Jesus Christ, .....does everyone who is lost KNOW, THAT THEY KNOW, THAT THEY KNOW,  (ah yes....the  "three-fold acknowledgement that my Southern Ba.....friends like to use when they are witnessing....ie: " Do you KNOW, that you KNOW, that you KNOW!...etc etc) I apologize for digressing again.

   Kenny, I really don't know what point that I am trying make here. Candace said it well. in my experience. But I want to THANK YOU SO MUCH for bringing up this VERY important topic.  Having the assurance of salvation can keep us from getting ulcers, nervous ticks, poor digestion, prone-ness to addiction: to ANYTHING that makes a feel good...not just substances.

    Me? I have to hammer it home everyday, that I was/is/will be one of the "WORLD" in the passage: "For God so loved the WORLD...". I have to proclaim that to myself everyday. Perhaps I am "work(ing)  out your salvation with fear and trembling".  I have this...very significant...fear, that when the sheep are separated from the goats....I will somehow find myself on the wrong side of things.  No, I am not indulging any gross, secret sin. I stay here by myself all the time. I don't do internet porn. I am able to keep lustful thoughts kicked down, the majority of the time. And if they somehow slip by my defences (in other words..."If I let them"), then I still do not act out on them.  But watch what I am doing right now!!! I just caught myself: "In essence, I am sitting here writing out reasons why I should be allowed into the Kingdom."  I suppose that it just hasn't completely soaked in yet, that Jesus Christ bore ALL OF IT for me/us.  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  You know what I have been FERVENTLY  and DAILY praying for???  A divine revelation of God's Love for me. Yes, I read it just the same as anyone here.  "God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were........" I can read. I can nod my head in approval of this scripture. But do I REALLY REALLY believe that God loves....ME? As a person?  Loves Kevin Blankenship? Of course, I guess this is where FAITH comes in. This where the proverbial 'rubber meets the road'. Do I REALLY believe? Or have I merely been (unwittingly....unkowingly) giving a mental assent to scripture.  People.....I want, more than anything in the world, for my heart to burn inside of me when I think of Jesus. I want to know what it's like to really LOVE someone. Or....someONE.

   There has been times, however rare, that I have been walking around this 7 acre yard at night and praying, that I REALLY sense that God is hearing and that God loves me. Other times....not so much. But I take to heart what Jesus said: "If you have done any of these things to/for the least of these....you have done them to/for ME."

   Please allow me this space to make my public declaration: I believe that Jesus Christ died for all mankind, to satisfy the Justice of God, was buried, and was risen to life, by the power of the Spirit, on the third day. That he was taken up into Heaven where he now sits as mediator between God the Father and man. Oh.....Oh...how I NEED a mediator up there!!!

[Kenny]

Kevin Blankenship wrote;

 

"Often, I wonder if God is even bothering helping me. Hey, let's just be honest here and tell folks how we REALLY feel!!!   Often, I BEG God to somehow let me know that my name is wirtten in the Lamb's Book of Life. I just GOT to know!!!"

 

Hello Kevin 

 

Please allow me to post a comment found on 1 John 5:13 which once again says:

These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

"Today many persons dismiss a claim to possess certain knowledge in spiritual things as presumptuous, but this is not correct, according to John's teaching. God has ordered his revelation in Christ so that the one believing in Christ may know that he possesses an eternal salvation. The real presumption is in questioning such assurances and thus casting doubt on God's word." - James Montgomery Boice, The Epistles of John, An Expositional Commentary, Baker Books, ISBN 10:0-8010-6642-5

 

In order words, we must trust the reliableness of Scripture without doubting God's word. 

 

Blessings

 

[Charles Miles]

How to know we are saved!  Wow, how can we possibly know?  Well, again it comes back to TRUSTING GOD to do exectly what he said he would do.  That is my definition of faith and what faith means to me.  Sometimes we just need to HEAR God say to us that we are his children and he has done what needed to be done for us.   Try this when you have time and are in a quiet place...Read Isaiah 53 out loud and substitute your full name in the spaces where the pronouns are located(read it slowly and reverently, because we KNOW who is speaking here).  Maybe it sounds like a strange thing to do, but just to humor an old doctor in Miss, just do it!  When you are finished, listen to what you just said....or listen to what GOD just said about you.  If you do that, I`ll bet you read it out loud again just because it gives reassurance and is God telling us what he did....and this was several hundred years before it happened! Do we deserve it? NO.  Did God do it for us?  YES.  After reading that and Roman`s 8, there should be more peace about just who we are and what we mean to Abba Father.

 

Be at peace my friends.  God loves you and has already solved the sin problem even though we still have trouble with it. 

 

In Christ`s love,

 

Charlie

[Candice]

Don't think I can bring much to this argument. This appears solely as a spiritual battle here and I can sense it.  It is really being fought with people who wouldn't be here if they weren't saved.

 

The "witness" of the Spirit is faith and resulting love, against which there is no law. I can only offer that I firmly believe we need to read the verses before and after a verse we are quoting to ensure that we are correct in its usage.  I've definitely used scripture without doing this, so I'm not without my share in error.  I don't think you are in error Kenny. Just not sure if you're struggling with this or think others on this forum aren't saved or others in your life appear saved, but you don't believe they are.  There are ways of approaching, but praying for them is a must. Better to pray than to dive in there uncovered.

 

 Just reading 1 John 5 from the beginning and firmly KNOWING that this is affirming what I believe in and that what the scripture says affirms this and that I agree.  I have never disagreed or said "I don't believe" anything in scripture. This is a witness with my spirit and God's Spirit that I understand and agree.  Witness agrees.  It isn't just a "head knowledge" thing for me since I don't know that someone who isn't saved cares if they're saved. Even Tozer affirmed this in one of his writings/sermons.  I'm not going to look it up, but it's out there.  I've read it.  If someone isn't saved, they simply are dead and a dead person who does not have agreement in his spirit with God's word doesn't care to begin with.

 

Here's an analogy:

You're on a lake or ocean in a boat and notice two guys in the water.  Obviously, something's wrong. One is struggling to keep above water with the waves crashing.  The other is floating, not trying to survive.  You toss a buoyancy device to both, but only one grabs it, and misses, but you toss it again, he struggles with all his might to get it, misses, struggles some more.  The one who is floating is not attempting to get the device.  Just floats.  He can't even try to get to the lifesaver.

 

Who's saved?  The one who struggles!  The other man is dead and cannot even attempt to survive or find the lifesaver.

 

I don't think we are the dead man just floating.  This bears witness to my spirit that I am fighting for my life.  Anything that doesn't prove pure for Christ in me brings me agony!  Agony to the point of depression -really severe depression.  I don't want to live another day without serving Him and Him alone! 

 

Remember:  Jesus made what I believe is a statement that ought to put the fear of God into anyone - Matthew 7.

 

Why did he say this in the first place?  Read all of the chapter...the victory is faith and the result is love.  Faith as a tiny mustard seed is fine.  God will water it and it will grow according to His predetermined size.

 

This morning, my husband called to ask me to do something for him which would have, once again, dragged me away from being in God's presence without distraction.  It is easy for me to be distracted from prayer and reading the word and today just wasn't something I was willing to give up for a 50 plus mile trip to town to do a 10 minute task for him.  I told him "no".  Then, I go into this thing in my mind, "oh you're not serving your husband...what a bad Christian wife you are."  On and on I can go thinking I'm a terrible Christian for simply saying, for once, "no".  My "churched" background insists that I am under my husband's authority and whatever he says, short of sin, I do.  My husband is served, and served well he is. But, he just does absolutely need a "no" now and then. Now, I feel guilty.  I wasn't mean about it. This guilt isn't God's Spirit, it's my mind which can do all kinds of things in the flesh and it's just not spiritual at all.  It means nothing about my salvation.  I had to choose.  I just had to say "no" today.  Normally, I'm there 24/7.  I don't know if that's really such a good thing.

 

Anyway, that was tangential, I realize, but the point is, I can think I'm not saved because of my actions at the drop of a hat!  This isn't "reality"; it is just flesh which the Spirit wars against constantly.

 

I'm seeking God with all my heart on matters of faith and agape love.  Spiritual warfare keeps coming up as never before. Satan doesn't just want to mess up our lives. He wants absolute defeat. One way is that some who are saved are being led to believe they're not.  The ones who just go along and don't know they need a lifesaver are the ones to concern ourselves with, or the "doers" who think that gets them the ticket.  See the doers all the time.

 

Blessings,

Candice

[Candice]

 Try this when you have time and are in a quiet place...Read Isaiah 53 out loud and substitute your full name in the spaces where the pronouns are located(read it slowly and reverently, because we KNOW who is speaking here).  Maybe it sounds like a strange thing to do, but just to humor an old doctor in Miss, just do it!  When you are finished, listen to what you just said....or listen to what GOD just said about you. 

 

Yes, going to do this and report results!!    Kind of like some of what Beth Moore does in her bible studies.  Read the word out loud and pray doing so.  Just like praying with Jesus I say! 

 

Thank you for that Charlie!

[Candice]

supposed to have quoted Charlie up there, but it didn't do it.  Technically challenged!

[Charles Miles]

Maybe a bit of clarification on the reading of Isaiah 53. Wherever the words our, we, and they(their) are written. And in verse 11, the word "many". Just stick your full name...kinda like when your mother called you to come home in the evenings when you were a child. I had several "nicknames" but when mother called, she used my full name and pronounced it very clearly. There was simply no doubt to whom she was speaking and ALL my friends knew it was MY mother and she was speaking directly to ME.
This is GOD speaking to each of us individually and it carries the authority of Almighty God. He says later in 54:10-13......So it is with my Word, I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all that I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace.....all the world around you will rejoice.

We are not quivering, cowering, fearful, timid, people who are unsure......we are born again children of the living God who went to a lot of trouble to wipe out all our sin and replace it with hope. He said if we trust him, believe in our heart, and say with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord..we are his. Sure we still have sin that hangs on to us, but not IN us anymore. We live in a fallen world and will have to battle this external sin thing daily. BUT in God`s eyes, we have already won!! Can we act like children of God and trust him to do what he said? He said..."I will remeber your sin no more"!!! That`s sin past, sin present, and sin future....because we all know we will mess up on occasion. God has already said...I forgive you, you are mine, I love you even though you are not perfect, I will make you my own righteousness through the work of my Son. And we are supposed to worry about our salvation? If God says I am his, then as far as I`m concerned.....I`m HIS and I will try every day to act like it. Some days it looks like I am his child and the some days...well I don`t always get it right. BUT if God says I am his, guess what? I am his.

I love all of you seekers on this site, so please forgive my enthusiasm when it comes to whose child we are and what it means to me to be one,

Charlie

[radar]

Kenny,Kevin,Candice and Charles, I have reached my limit of likes for the day but like all that you all have posted. Wish the moderators could do something like extending the limits on likes....

[Kenny]

2 Cor 13:5  Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

 

Are you a Christian? Many people who claim to be point to some event in the past to substantiate their claim. But inviting Jesus to come into your life in the past is not proof that you are genuinely saved. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul says to the Corinthian church, " Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves (emphasis added)." He wouldn't have said that if some event in the past were obviously the answer. The Bible never verifies anyone's salvation by the past but by the present. If there is no evidence of salvation in your life now, you need to face the fact that you may not be a Christian. You need to examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith. - John MacArthur - http://www.gty.org/r...xamine-yourself  click link to read full article

 

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul wrote, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” That admonition is largely ignored—and often explained away—in the contemporary church. (John F. MacArthur Jr., The Gospel according to Jesus - Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988, 190. Two other times in this book MacArthur refers to this verse to support the view that Christians should examine themselves to determine the validity of their conversion)

 

David Guzik... Commentary on 2 Cor 13:5

Paul asks the Corinthian Christians to consider a sobering question: “Am I really a Christian?” We are rightly concerned that every believer have the assurance of salvation, and know how to endure the attacks that come from Satan in this area. At the same time, we also understand that there are some who assume or presume they are Christians when they are not.

 

Warren Wiersbe writes that...

To begin with, Paul told the Corinthians that they should examine their hearts to see if they were really born again and members of the family of God. Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart? (Ro 8:9, 16) Do you love the brethren? (1Jn 3:14) Do you practice righteousness? (1John 2:29; 3:9) Have you overcome the world so that you are living a life of godly separation? (1John 5:4) These are just a few of the tests we can apply to our own lives to be certain that we are the children of God.

In one of the churches I pastored, we had a teenager who was the center of every problem in the youth group. He was a gifted musician and a member of the church, but nevertheless he was a problem. One summer when he went off to our church youth camp, the youth leaders and church officers and I agreed together to pray for him daily. At one of the meetings, he got up and announced that he had been saved that week! His Christian profession up to that time had been counterfeit. He experienced a dramatic change in his life, and today he is serving the Lord faithfully.

No doubt many of the problems in the church at Corinth were caused by people who professed to be saved, but who had never repented and trusted Jesus Christ. Our churches are filled with such people today. Paul called such people reprobate, which means “counterfeit, discredited after a test.” Paul used this word again in 2Corinthians 13:6, 7, emphasizing the fact that it is important for a person to know for sure that he is saved and going to heaven (see 1 John 5:11, 12, 13). (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary - Old Testament. Victor or Wordsearch) 

[Kevin Blankenship]

I can really identify with the deep deep depression Candace. Sometimes, I get so blooming depressed that I pray.....and with no small degree of frustration (at myself, and yes...at God sometimes) that God would PLEASE take over my will because I realize that my "wanter" or "will" is completely broken.  If my will is ALL that I have got to rely on to get me to heaven....then I am royally.....messed up. I'll never make it. If God does not miraculously intervene in my life and change the very substance of what I am (the hard-wired, genetic, propensity to be selfish and sinful).....then I fear terribly that the lake of fire awaits me. But on the other hand....sometimes I tell God:  "God....I wouldn't be praying to You constantly if I didn't have any faith!!! I am certainly not talking to Budda or Allah. I am praying to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, To the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. PLEASE incline Thine ear to my petition Lord."

  I am just like the persitent widow. I want to be so filled with the Holy Spirit that I ignite into flame every time I think of Him and His love towards us.  I just, many times, feel like I am somehow missing it, or that I just don't have enough self control.

 I read scripture in Acts last nite that bothered me. Here it is in Acts chapter 10: ³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

    Peter said that God accepts those who fear Him (okay, I fear God) and does what is right. (This is where I have the problem. If we do what is right...????  Before salvation????? It sure sounds like it!!!! Can one conclude that God does NOT accept those who do wrong???? I thought that repentance takes care of that. I don't know. It just bothered me. I guess that I am still worried to death that I might not be one of the ELECT (no, I'm not a Calvinist.....but in the event that they are right.....it worries me.) Anyway, if I type much more I am going to sit here and get all down again. I must INSIST that God will intervene in my life.  I mean: Everything that they needed in the first century...we need TODAY!!!! The full measure of the Spirit!!!!! The miracles!!!! The everything!!!!!!! Oh....PLEASE GOD......don't leave us down here to work all this out on our own or we will perish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.  We MUST have YOUR help!!!!! We simply MUST!!!!!! Please don't withhold the Holy Spirit from us OH GOD!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As sincere as I can possibly be......I beg YOU!!!!!!  Yes, I have faith......or I would NOT pray!!!!!!!!!!!!!  No disrespect intended, God. Please, Sir.....Please......have mercy.

[Candice]

OK, Kevin, I see, personally (perceive) that you are saved. But, of course, I do not know your heart.  You are weak!  That is where God wants us all.  I don't see the same exact, constant prayer that I read about you. 

 

I see spiritual pride like nobody's business.  That isn't it either.  That sin-sniffing isn't it either.  Yesterday, I got down because I went to a bible study group that I hadn't been to in about three years because I worked one year and studied on my own, etc.  I had been there, and led one of the small groups for women for a few years and just took a break.  Well, in a small town, you can't escape gossip, talk, etc.  One gal comes up and says "it's always good to see one of the lost sheep come back to the fold".   I just smiled and felt no ill will towards her.  It's like if you don't go to OUR group....well.  I know she just didn't say what she meant.  But there's this sin-sniffing spirit here.  One gal asked if I homeschooled our son, "no", because that's another spiritual pride issue with the one group that sits over in that corner. Then, the other gal, "my daughter and three of her friends are leading a bible study, just the four of them at the junior high.  They don't have anything to do with those kids there.  They just stick together like glue". I know two of those girls and they come from the sin-sniffer families and have inherited the gene!  But, God's Spirit gave me grace and I neither said a word or thought of something to say as a few years ago I would have had to make some kind of comment.  Why didn't I say something?  I am under God's spiritual control.  I looked around the sanctuary.  All the ladies from each church stay in their little huddle and don't associate outside.  It is so odd!  I just don't do that.  I go up to every single lady I know, whatever church they go to (half of them, I can't even remember where they worship), and ask how they are....because I care and I don't have a huddle to huddle into.  I go to First Baptist and 99% of those ladies wouldn't be caught dead in a bible study that takes any denomination (all bible-based churches, no doubt). 

 

So, the point is that, while I'm wondering and asking God to show me, I really can see progress when I look back to a few years ago.  However, my soul moves.  The Spirit is right there though, Comforter that He is, and I settle down for the most part.  However, there is always a bit of a sigh in my soul.  A longing for more.....more....more.  If that is being lost, Kevin, I don't know what being found would be.  I don't want to be like those gals in their holy huddles!  They're all secure in their salvation (and maybe they ought to  be). 

 

One thing that is important that is a "take-away" for me from yesterday's bible study is two-fold:

1)  We may indeed be right on an issue but have a wrong heart.

2)  We must be repentant of our sins; not just aware of the sins of the lost and those folks we are different.  We cannot be sin-sniffers. We need to regret and repent of our sins, not just notice everyone elses'. 

 

I had some kids here a few years ago whose dad was the pastor of the church we attended at the time.  They were around 10-12 years old.  They kept telling my son (I could hear them-I NEVER leave the area) who their parents didn't like in the church - this teenager, that teenager, etc.  I finally got so worn out listening, I told them "ok, in our house we don't sit and criticize someone without praying for them. So, pray for them."   One teen was suicidal and definitely gothic.  Those kids must have told their parents and they never came over again!  OK by me.  Believe me, I can get into criticism just like everyone else.  This has a flavor all its own.

 

You are weak - HE IS STRONG!  Get it Kevin, get it!  I prayed for you earnestly today, as others here.

 

Love ya,

Candice

[Candice]

 

 I read scripture in Acts last nite that bothered me. Here it is in Acts chapter 10: ³⁴ Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism ³⁵ but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

OK, I believe that Peter is leveling the playing field by explaining that salvation is not just for the Jews, but also the gentiles (referring to every nation).  The Jews apparently left their fear at the door for a very long time and he is just explaining that it's about faith (fear) and obedience (doing what is right).  Remember:  fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. There are tons of scripture verses on fear (reverence) and obedience.  Faith is obedience.

[Candice]

also...Jews knew they were the favored children for thousands of years.  No favoritism any more...although the Jews are still children of promise and there is not a spec of evidence that replacement theology is truth. God keeps His promises.

[Candice]

Kevin,

Keep your eyes on Christ....not on your flesh!  He wants your attention -undivided.  Not to keep looking at yourself.  Read some books by Major Ian Thomas - very good on our identity and also struggles with the flesh.

 

Look at Abraham, read Hebrews to see what it says about Abraham!  He messed up many times, but he is in the faithful hall of fame.  His faith is what saved him.  He was obedient, but he messed up too.

 

Look at David, he is called the man after God's own heart. He messed up big time.  He lost his infant son because of his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba.  But, he repented and moved on.  His moving on from the grief over his sin and the death of his son was even questioned by those around him.

 

We have to stop looking at our flesh Kevin.  Yes, I do it.  It's the Catholic thing to be sure.  I know others who have this same tendency.  I know you weren't raised Catholic.  But, parents can put the image of God into our minds as horribly unforgiving. 

 

Jesus would be a liar if he did not forgive you.  There was the time when you heard the word, that faith came by hearing and you knew you were a sinner, right?  Then, you went on. We go on being sanctified the same way we were saved - by Christ.  We are assured when we know we can't do it.

 

I'm sure of it.  Pray that the Lord would rebuke Satan.  Pray it. Read Psalm 51. Write it on a card.  I have written tons of index cards in the past of verses I need to pull up.  I even carried them in my car with me, color coded them too!   How Martha Stewart of me...green cards for Holy Spirit, etc.  I need to get these out and make more!  I don't think we can leave home without them.

 

Not into brevity today!

[Kenny]

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Cor 13:5

 

You can have full assurance of salvation by examining yourself for all three of these evidences 

1)       The witness of God's Word.  - 1 John 5:13

2)       The witness of a transformed life. - 2 Cor. 5:17

3)       The witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. - Rom 8:16

[Candice]

Kenny,

Amen. I'd like to add:  "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  Matthew 24:13

 

Blessings,

Candice

 

[Kevin Blankenship]

QUOTE "OK, Kevin, I see, personally (perceive) that you are saved. But, of course, I do not know your heart.  You are weak!  That is where God wants us all.  I don't see the same exact, constant prayer that I read about you. 

 

I see spiritual pride like nobody's business. "QUOTE

  Sure enough?  After I muster up enough gall to share what floats around in my brain on a daily basis....all it is......is spiritual pride?  Hmmmmm.  Maybe I am misreading this, Candace, along with the entire post that you made in reply to my share.  As many know, it is hard to capture, in written (and posted) words what a person is trying to communicate, due to the absence of vocal inflection, tone, etc etc.  

  But I have read and re-read your reply and, unless I am reading it wrong, you have indicated that I am weak, that you see spiritual pride (in me?) like nobodies business, etc etc etc.

   Through the years, I have met many many folks who like to brag on the fact that they: "Call it like I see it!"  and then chuckle. And then say: "That's just who I am (yes...true), take it or leave it!"  and then they might add this for effect:  "So...if ya don't wanna hear the truth........don't ask me!!!!"...............................................self-pride.

    I guess that, to just be completely candid.......I don't understand your reply.  I hope....that I have taken it wrong.  I mean.....if I make an observation about a fellow Christian......I will send them a Private Message and say: "I say this in a spirit of love......and then gently make observations, ALWAYS!....ALWAYS!.......keept their best interest in my head and heart and being very selective with words and very gentle with their delivery. And that is only if I know the person well enough to think that I can do that. And ONLY if it's a man. In accordance with 1 Timothy 2:12. (Yes, I am an adherent to the Holy Spirit's instruction in this very politically and socially incorrect scripture verse).  This is a verse of scripture that MANY MANY in the church today could be effectively called a CESSATIONISTS!!!!  I'm not. 

   And I suppose that this would be as good a time as any to bow out of this discussion......and forum. When I post, I don't hold back secrets about what is going on in my life or in my head or in my heart. But I see that a public forum is not the place to so that. Lesson learned.  Besides, the DEEPER LIFE forum has somehow (in my opinion only) gotten somewhat sidetracked it seems. But no matter where I go from here, I will know better than to share the secrets of my heart on an online forum.  Anyway, replies can be made to my reply but they won't be read by me.  Regrets?  Yes!  Opening up and being......."transparent"....as I have been called by many.  This really freakin saddens me.  I cannot help it. I read and re-read  THE REPLY and can come to no other conclusions. I have been wrong before (plenty of times) and may be wrong again.  Spiritual pride? You don't even know the half of it. That's one of the more gentle sins I face. But I don't like to have someone's opinion of my shortcomings spread out for the world to see unless I...make that decision. I think that is a reasonable expectation.  Anyway....to Thinker, Kenny, Radar, Lori, so many more that I cannot list because I hear momma moaning in her room and I gotta go check on her,   I have enjoyed our time togther. And the Moderator....he seems like a great guy too. And from Colorado.  He wins 5 stars in my book just for living in that beauty. 

   This is a culmination of events that have gathered together and made me realize that I need to spend far less time ONLINE.  More time living life. So long.    In Christ alone.   Kevin