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December 4, 2011
“But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” (1 John 2:5) The New Testament is emphatically clear that we are saved entirely by the grace of God through faith in Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; . . . it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). But how can we know for sure that our professed faith in Christ is genuine and we are really saved? Many who claim to be Christians are not truly saved, for Christ said: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Now, note that John’s main purpose in writing his gospel was to win people to saving faith in Christ. “These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Then the ultimate purpose of his first epistle was to assure them they were saved. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). His epistle, in fact, gives us several tests to prove our faith. One is in our text–we keep (literally “guard against loss”) His Word. Also: “Hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). Then: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14). Thus, we can not only have salvation, but also assurance of salvation if we love and guard His Word, seek to keep His commandments, and love all others of like precious faith. Finally we have the indwelling witness of the Spirit. “Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us” (1 John 3:24). HMM |
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One thing that confirmed my salvation to me personally was that I found myself drastically changing in my tastes, habits, and behavior patterns. The things I used to love became distasteful to me, the habits I was once addicted to lost their savor for me, and the things I used to hate (holiness, the Bible, Christianity, dressing in a way that is respectful and tasteful, etc. etc.) I began to love. The more I read the Bible the more I became convicted about areas in my life that were out of line with God’s will, and I sought to bring them into conformity with His will! This process is still continuing in my life, further evidence to me that God is still working in me and through me…..
Thanks for your post!
It the Ever Narrowing Way, as I like to call it. Ever squeezing us, crushing us and conforming us to His image. As Albert Martin said so well, “If the Gospel hasn’t disrupted the very citadel of your life, then you’re not a Christian”. Everything is new. Everything regarding your old lifestyle is disgusting, dishonouring and the very thought of your old desires makes you sick. Afterall, are the things you once lived for worth Christ dying for? Too many Christians, or so called anyway don’t have the foggiest idea of slavery in Christ. You are set free from the master called sin and free to serve another Master called Christ. This is Christian liberty.
What you call “slavery to Christ”, we call “the crucified life” in my church. The act of taking up our cross and dying to the self-will and emotional/fleshly desires and responses that characterize the soulish nature (which must be put to death every day)…this is the straight and narrow message that so many people in America despise. We love the idea of Christ, the idea of religion, the idea of heaven, but how many love the practical part of obedience, discipleship, and SUBMISSION (the dreaded ‘S’ word) to Christ?? Not so many!
The way I see it, a dead man is unable to yield to temptations. We don’t have to buy into the Laodicean teaching that we will sin everyday…the New Testament leads me to believe that we can live daily without sinning. Yes we stumble, but hopefully not habitually; over and over.
Live in Victory!!!!!!!