35 replies to this topic

[Candice]

No. No. Kevin,   you DON'T have spiritual pride...that's the whole point I was trying to make. But, as you say, it is difficult to communicate on these posts for various reasons (I'm also not writing as effectively as I ought to when I post here). 

 

 When we are weak, HE is strong.  You don't have spiritual pride.  NOT AT ALL.  Some people do have spiritual pride and don't see or express their weaknesses.  I gave you the examples of what I experienced to show how I see the spiritual pride of others and can't stand it.  But, God has softened my heart.

 

You are fine!!  Terrible that I wrote that so poorly that you got the opposite from it.

 

You ought not have regrets or feel you've learned a lesson here.  I am on your side and praying for you.  I go through this same thing - depression over not KNOWING.  I understand and sometimes I don't like that others shove scriptures at someone in an implication that their not saved because they didn't dot their i's or cross their t's.

 

I will send you a personal note too.

 

I am very sorry that I did not write more clearly.

[Kenny]

Candice said:

 

"I don't like that others shove scriptures at someone in an implication that their not saved because they didn't dot their i's or cross their t's."

 

Candice

 

Which of the Scriptures which I posted do you not like?

 

 

[Candice]

Hi Kenny,

 

First, nothing is wrong with scripture - not any of it.  Scripture is perfect and using it to build up the body is good and to sharpen one another is necessary.

 

I went back to the first sentence of your first post and see that you were writing an "article".  I was responding to Kevin's reply to your article, then it seemed you kept posting evidences from scripture because you were encouraging Kevin that he was saved because he knows.  But, then, it seemed an argument, (with whom I do not know) started forming.  It seemed, because I did not realize at the time you were writing an article.  Thus, the many posts.

 

I was a human resource manager in my past career and can see case-building.  But, of course, you were not doing this.  However, I think the post was a long article and Kevin and I should not have hijacked your post.  I apologize and hope you will forgive me.

 

I did ask you some questions in my replies here because I was trying to figure out if you were asking something here, like you were concerned about someone on the forum not being saved since you kept posting more backup materials to support your article.  Then, it seemed like it went from an article to saying someone was not saved and were using scripture to build a case against someone - me? Kevin?  I don't know because you did not answer my questions.  I just went and interfered with your article.  And, now, Kevin is angry with me because I was in some kind of holier than thou defense mode as I was attempting, in the flesh, to build him up.

 

I was acting in the flesh and I'm sorry to have done that.  I also write too quickly, leave out necessary transitional phrases and dependent clauses.  Therefore, Kevin is angry with me, and I am in deep regret.

 

I will say that scripture is perfect.  Using scripture can be used for harm and many have done this intentionally or not.  I don't know your intentions.  However, it seems I was misinterpreting the posts as an argument or case-building. 

 

I agree with Kevin, I too am spending time on here because I am lonely for fellowship.  It is a fact that cannot be denied.  I prayed and read scripture all day off and on as I did yesterday.  Sometimes, I want encouragement or clarification and come onto the forum hoping for some fellowship of sorts.  However, if I am going to be the fly in the punchbowl and not edify others, I will just not come on any longer.

 

I have no secret knowledge, but I believe and am in full agreement the Lord has witnessed to my heart about his word and his character.

 

Blessings,

Candice

[Lori Smith]

Lord Jesus,

 

I pray You will cancel all confusion and restore us to one another. Amen Jesus, we all come on here because we've found others like us who love You and have trouble finding the fellowship we need in our own towns. Dear Lord, please send Your mercies into all of our hearts. We all love one another. We really do. Please help us not to walk away from a beautiful community You have helped create. In Your Name Jesus, amen.

[Kenny]

Hi Kenny,

 

First, nothing is wrong with scripture - not any of it.  

 

Blessings,

Candice

 

Thank you for that clarification Candice. For a moment there I was beginning to think that someone may be offended by the use of certain Scriptures. God forbid that should ever be the case for any believer

 

Blessings

[Kenny]

I need to clarify a few things about this thread.

 

I have never been the best communicator, and more often than not, the intent of my posts and comments have been misconstrued and taken the wrong way of what they were intended to accomplish.

 

First of all, I don't judge anyone's salvation. That's wasn't my intent, nor is it my job.

 

I merely post what Scripture says as I have come to understand them.

 

I know that Scripture clearly tells believers that we are to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are in the faith. 2 Cor 13:5

 

So how are we to go about examining ourselves?

 

There are Scriptures which tell us what tests we can use to see whether or not we pass the examination. The main Scriptures are 1 John 5:13; 2 Cor 5:17; and Rom. 8:16. Gal 5 on the fruit of the Spirit, etc. There also are many more Scriptures I could use, but I figured that the ones I used would suffice, and that no one in a Christian forum would be offended if a person used Scripture as support for what he posts. It's not as if I posted mere opinion without any support from Scripture. If that were the case then I would expect others to ask me what Scriptures do I use to support my comments. That's why I always back up what I post with Scripture. If anyone thinks I have misused Scripture, then I would appreciate them pointing out to me in what way specifically have I misused them. I am a teachable person and don't mind being corrected if indeed I am in error.

 

Secondly, Candice, you incorrectly assumed I was judging you, and whether or not you are saved, even though I never used anyone's name in conjunction with the initial post, nor did I have anyone in mind when I composed the article.. I'm really very sorry you took it that way because there wasn't a moment I was judging you. Your salvation is between you and the Lord. Once again, the Lord hasn't appointed me as judge over anyone. 

 

Lastly

Candice, in one of your earlier posts, you asked; "I believe. Is this enough?  Is it not enough?" 

Please allow me to respond and say belief is very important. Yet belief without evidence of salvation falls short of salvation. Now you might ask, how can I make a insensitive comment like that. Well, once again, as always I turn to Scripture for support of such a comment. Scripture says; Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. James 2:19. You see Candice, according to Scripture, even demons believe, yet we know they remain unsaved. 

That is why each of us has to examine ourselves as Scripture commands us and look for evidence of genuine conversion and salvation according as Scripture admonishes to.

 

Wouldn't you want to know so, not hope so? The Devil wants us to doubt our salvation. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be assured without doubt that we are saved. 

1 John 5:13 says we can know. The word know in that verse means to intuitively know. 

 

As a final note, even that great preacher John Wesley went about preaching to others for a time, and realized later that all the while was preaching salvation to others, that he himself wasn't saved. You can read about that by Googling the words, John Wesley Aldersgate experience

 

Blessings

[Kevin Blankenship]

I am TOO sensitive lately. Perhaps all of this is the Spirit (our Teacher)'s way of telling me that it's not all about ME.  When I am in this mood, I take stuff wrong. Evidently, I have a preconceived notion that someone is just ready to give me a verbal thrashing and just tell me exactly how the "cow ate the cabbage''.  I was wrong about the intent of your post Candace. Forgive me for that. I have just not been myself lately (well....who have ya been?......would be a witty retort to that statement....lol,......sigh.)  I can sum up my entire spiritual life right now like this,...nothing says it better:  SIGH..........sigh........sigh..........(slight shaking of head side to side).  That's the best way, with written words, that I can describe it.  Just...just.....please pray for me.  I have no hard feelings...nor have I a legitimate reason to....towards anyone here. Period.  This thread is not troublesome. It is needful. If we, as the children of God, cannot talk about this....we wwould really have a hard time with other points.  But allow me to assert this: It does no one any good.....if they cannot "BARE!!!!!" their soul to their fellow Christian.  And a gentle and kind response is like settings of silver...etc.  I over-reacted because crap builds up in me that is totally unrelated to anyone on this forum.

[Lori Smith]

I love you my brother Kevin!! I will say again that my spirit bears witness to me that you are my brother. Hallelujah, thank You Jesus for answering prayer! Glad you're back. 

[Kenny]

Here is a very short YouTube video in which Pastor David Platt talks about the Christian's Assurance of Salvation

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=499u92xbTmg

 

 David Platt is currently the head pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama and he is also the author of the New York Times Best Seller, Radical 

[Charles Miles]

Candice, Lori, Kevin, Kenny, and all....it is very difficult to determine what someone is trying to really say on a message board such as this, isn`t it? We don`t have voice inflections or facial expressions that are needed to convey our full meaning. I, for one, love all of you and just assume no one has a "mean bone in their body" when we are discussing the Lord and his workings in all of us. When I read some of the posts on this board, I get an almost overwhelming feeling of love and comfort from people who are seekers after the Truth and the Way. Goodness, I have benifited from prayer from many of you who know a bit about my struggles over the last few years, as well as some hoops I must jump through in the next few days. I truely treasure this site and all my friends who are here. 5 seconds after the rapture I plan to greet each of you, hug you, and tell you how much all of this has meant to me. Please let`s not let any slight misunderstanding(that really wasn`t anything) destroy all of this great fellowship. We all know who the father of confusion is and what he would like to do to a christian site...let`s just ignore him and continue our sessions as we honor the Lord. BTW, maybe some of us could possibly get together BEFORE the rapture if we really set our sights on doing just that.

May the Grace and Peace of our Father permiate this place,

Charlie

[Lori Smith]

Doctor Charlie,

 

I appreciate you so much. I don't know  what hoops you will have to jump over in the next few days, but I will certainly be praying for you. I pray the Lord will carry you over them.

Blessings,

Lori

[Kenny]

I pondered creating a new thread to post what you are about to read, then came to realize that it actually fits in quite nicely with the topic of this thread. The initial thread dealt with the topic of knowing for sure that you are saved and examining yourself for evidence of genuine faith and salvation. 

In Matthew 7 Jesus spoke the following words so that we will understand that many individuals will profess Jesus as Lord who actually haven't entered into a personal relationship with Him and therefore aren't saved. They profess Jesus as Lord with their mouths. There is a profession of faith without salvation. Their profession therefore is a false profession because they have never experienced a genuine conversion. And the marks or evidences of salvation and genuine faith doesn't reside within them.

 

Matthew 7

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them , I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

The point I'm trying to stress with this thread, is that each of us has to personally examine and test ourselves as 2 Cor. 13:5 admonishes us to do in order to make sure that our faith is of the genuine rather than false sort. Earlier I included a few Scriptures which made mention of some of the evidences we are to look for as proof of possessing salvation and genuine faith. Let the words of Jesus from Matthew 7 make us desire to test and examine ourselves to see if the evidences of salvation exist within us so that by them we can know for sure that we have been saved

 

Blessings to my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus

[Kenny]

In my reading of various portions of the Bible as well as in various Christian books, I keep finding new material that deals with the subject of this thread. Below is the latest short bit I found while reading A.W.Tozer in a book titled; Faith Beyond Reason, ISBN 0-87509-425-2

 

You say, "I believe that I am justified. Nothing can separate me from God." That is bookkeeping.

How do you know that you really believe and are not just bookkeeping? Has there been any change in your life, your desires, your instincts? You can claim all of this, but if your not doing right and living right and being right and thinking right and wanting the right, you are not right!

Has there been any change? Is there a difference since you came to Christ? Do you have that new nature so that you are a new person, a different person from what you once were? Jesus wants to make you what you ought to be. He wants to make you new and different. He wants to make you different on the inside - to give you a mind that runs clean and wholesome, no longer in the old channels. 

He awaits your willingness to let Him take complete control of your life.

 

Scripture to read along with this

2 Cor. 13:5

2 Cor 5:17

[Kenny]

Once again I was reading an article which pertains to the topic of this thread. Below is posted a portion of an article which I can relate to concerning my own personal salvation experience and how God indicates to us that we are saved and can know it.

 

How To Know You're Saved

  By David J. Stewart

The Holy Spirit Beareth Witness

You can know for certain that you are saved!!! I say this confidently because God knows whether or not you are His Child. Any uncertainties which you may have concerning your salvation does not change God’s certainty of your salvation. If you are God’s Child, then He has promised to tell you that you are saved... “The Spirit itself with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). When you became a believer, the Godhead moved into your heart—i.e., God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit came into your soul to live forever. The Godhead lives within our body in the Person of God, the Holy Spirit. It is God’s very Spirit that testifies to our own spirit that we are a Child of God. What a wonderful blessing!!! 

How does God’s Holy Spirit bear witness to our spirit that we are saved? Listen to the precious Words of Jesus... “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16,17). Wow!!! What a wonderful truth to know that God (the Comforter) lives in my heart. This is how I know I’m saved—He lives within my soul. He talks with me and walks with me all along life’s way. The Holy Spirit is “God with me.” He’s that little voice that continually convicts me, comforts me and brings truths to my mind to remind me of how to live for God. 

The Holy Spirit speaks to me about God’s will. I remember when I first became a Believer as a young man. There were some obvious changes in my life which occurred, but I did not recognize them until years later. One big change was a sincere desire to read and learn the Bible after I became a Christian. Another big change was a conviction over the sins in my life and the fact that God wanted me to live right. I had never felt that before until I became saved. I remember for the first time in my life experiencing that little small voice of the Holy Spirit saying, “GOD doesn’t want you to do this anymore” or “GOD wants you to start doing this.” Something was very different in my life after I became saved. I even recall hearing my mother say to me, “You’ve really changed lately and I’m proud of you.” Again, God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit came to live within my heart in the person of God the Holy Spirit the day I accepted Jesus as Savior. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit, just as I am a spirit. He is God in every way. 

Also, When I became a believer many years ago, God’s Spirit merged in holy matrimony with my spirit—a marriage. This is why the Church is referred to as the “Bride of Christ” in the Book of Revelation. Jesus is the Bridegroom of the Church. There is a spiritual union between God’s Spirit and the spirit of each and every one of His Children. If you do not have the Holy Spirit living within your soul—you are NOT God’s Child!!! Only a Child of God has the Holy Spirit living inside—It is His very presence that makes you God’s Child. If you are God’s Child, it is simply because God literally lives in you. This is called the “new birth” or being “born-again” ... “Ye must be" (John 3:7). It is the Holy Spirit’s uniting with our spirit that conceives the new birth within us. It is the Word of God which is the Seed that brings salvation.  

 

To read the full article, go to http://www.jesus-is-..._your_saved.htm

[Candice]

Kenny,

This is a great blog (article). Thanks for sharing.  It means a lot to me to hear this man's words.

[Kenny]

Saved? How Do We Know?

 

http://www.youtube.c...0B7BD2F&index=1

 

This video is very good in touching upon the subject of this video