Salvation - am I saved?

C

Cooksta Jun 10, 2011

Dear All,
I would greatly covet your prayers and your advice.
I have been a “Christian” for 14 years. I say it like that because I do not believe I actually am. I have been listening to sermons recently about this sort of thing. Included was a sermon to a youth conference about modern Christianity by Paul Washer. I believe it was a while ago.

Anyway, I have so much turmoil in my soul at the moment. I look at the passages in the Word – Mat 7 mostly – and I realise that I do not stack up and that I am not the man I should be. I would not classify myself as a disciple of the Lord because I do not hate other people and things in comparison to the Lord. My thoughts betray me and I am filled with such self-loathing. I prayed “the prayer” years ago and have since done it again (“rededication”).

It just seems I am full of cynicism and have nothing to say but things that are critical. I am bitter and I am panicking. All I can think of now is if I am saved.

We live in a small island in the South Pacific and the churches here are cults, Catholic, or not very good unfortunately. I cannot go to a pastor here and ask for help because he will fall back on the “prayer” thing and try to make me feel better about it.

My marriage is suffering as I am not the man I should be. I wonder if you could give me advice. For a Christian, I am so woefully ignorant. I have studied the Bible and would have classified myself (pridefully) as a scholar of the Word. Yet, I don’t really even know what to do in my situation. All I want is to belong to the Lord and I am scared that He will not know me when I am set before Him.

Please help!

T

twayneb Jun 10, 2011

Brother: Thank you for sharing your heart. First I guess I would ask you about what happened to you when you became a "Christian"? If what happened was merely a "change of ways" or the turning over of a new leaf, or if what happened was merely the mental ascent to the fact that Christianity is true or a good religion, then I would say you are not saved. I know some may find this hard, but simply saying "the prayer" does not do anything, but a heart that believes in Christ and His sacrifice for sin and in faith turns from the old life of sin in repentance and trusts in the gift of grace as the only way to be right with God is born again whether or not he has uttered "the prayer". If what happened was the realization that you were lost in sin and without Christ and if you turned to Him in repentance and trusted in His grace for forgiveness of sins, then I can say unequivocally from scripture that you are born again. Perhaps I can put it this way. Mentally agreeing with scripture does not cause one to be born again, but when one is born again and the enemy is fighting that person with doubts and accusations, that person can find irrefutable proof from scripture that he is born again. What the Word of God says about what happened to me is true no matter what my feelings on the matter happen to be.

Do you have any Christian brothers or sisters on the island that truly know the Lord? The church on your island is the body of true believers in Christ in that place. I would encourage you to find that man who is also a true believer and fellowship with him.

Second, I would look at the Word differently. Instead of worrying about scholarship begin to go to the Word for spiritual food and encouragement. What you find there put into practice. From what you have said in your post, and that is all I have to go by, you are painfully aware of and repulsed by sin in your life. There is a sorrow in your heart. Confess those things before God and accept the forgiveness that He promises a broken and contrite heart in His Word. Then begin to look in the New Testament for what the Word says about a man who had been born again. Renew your mind to that truth.

When we are born again our spirit is really the part of us that experiences regeneration, or the rebirth or new birth. Our minds are still in the condition that they were in before being born again as are our emotions. Now God can and often does begin to heal these areas at salvation, but we know that we will also have to renew our minds, including our emotions and thought patterns. Romans 12:1-2. Begin this renewal through the truth of the Word of God. There is benefit in learning to dissect and analyze the word, but the true power of the Word is its ability to transform and change us. It is a living and powerful thing.

And I know it may not be what you want to hear, but redouble your prayer time. Let it be full of genuine worship and praise to God for what He has done, for who He is. Do it simply because He is worthy.

I am praying for you right now.

sermonindex Jun 10, 2011

Be honest with the Lord and cry to Him to help you. That is all you can do. Tell Him the truth about yourself and your thoughts compared with what his word commands. Recognize that pride is at the root of all sin- thinking of oneself too highly and God as less than He is. Deal with that pride and look to Christ for grace. James 4:9-10 "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

sermonindex Jun 10, 2011

I just really quick wanted to respond about this. I have struggled the past 3 years almost questioning my salvation and still do, but I want to encourage you at least to not feel as if the Lord is far away and you can't reach him or that he can't help you or your not going to be saved etc. They are lies from the enemy, God desires you to be saved do not let satan torment your mind or your conscience because I have allowed that in my life to be a torment for fear for me. God is greater than everything even your feelings. I am not sure if your saved or not, I wouldn't be able to know to tell you the truth because you know your experiences and whether the Lord confirmed your relationship with him before. Men will not be able to assure you, only his word and his spirit so be encouraged. While not walking in faith or in the spirit it easy to become bitter or critical and walk in the flesh. Ask the Lord if you are saved, ask him for clear evidence and wait for the answer and seek with all your heart. Also ask yourself our you looking to Jesus for your salvation by faith and trusting in him, or just looking back to the time of your committment, In John it says that "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me(Jesus) though he die yet shall he live(everlasting life). Do you believe in him? But I would ask the number one thing you you can do is ask the Lord for assurance from the Holy Spirit and that the Lord would make it clear. Also that you seek the scripture deeply to find assurance of what the scriptures says about salvation and assurance. Read first john especially and the epistles and the gospel of John to find assurance or evidences that your saved too. I recommend reading the testimonies of John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and John Bunyan to see their experiences. But, brother it is possible your just not walking in the spirit, you very well might be in the spirit, but not walking in it fully. Mortify the deeds of your flesh and sow to the spirit if so.

C

Christinyou Jun 11, 2011

Quote: """Read first john especially and the epistles and the gospel of John to find assurance or evidences that your saved too."""

Stay in the epistles, don't stay in the synaptic Gospels, except John, it is different than Mathew, Mark and Luke. Mathew, Mark and Luke are for those that Jesus came to save, but they received Him not. Jesus was the Law and is the Law and is the fulfillment of the Law. We are not. Only are we, if we are in Christ and Christ is born again in us. That comes from Paul and "my gospel", which was direct revelation from Jesus Christ and how the human spirit and soul and body work. Our Spirit is what is born again, for we now have the Spirit of Christ, if not we are none of His.

Romans 8:5-14 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Stay in these scrupture until they become true revelation of who we are in Christ. Ask for bread and the Holy Spirit will not give you a stone, keep asking until revelation of the truth of "Christ in you the Hope of Glory" is come.

Colossians 1:16-29 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

You were created for Him and only He can perfect you that our labour and striving according to His working will work in us mightily.

His is our new life, He is in us, not another person as we know a person to be, but by His Spirit we are saved and have become son's of God, and He has given us another Comforter John 14,15,16,17, the Holy Spirit to teach us all things that pertain to salvation and being a new creature in Christ. Even to things we don't understand.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (works) availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, (not works)but a new creature.

This is already more that my mind can rap itself around, but it is a start and will give you the assurance you are searching for.

1 John 5:10-14 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Galatians 2:16-21 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

This is why we are called Christians, Christ-ones.

Your brother in Christ, a new creature a son of God and heirs with Christ to the Fathers House: Phillip

sermonindex Jun 11, 2011

I prayed “the prayer” years ago and have since done it again (“rededication”).

So you now know after listening to Paul Washer that no one is saved by "praying a prayer" or "making a decision", right?
You now know that the TRUE Gospel is REPENT AND BELIEVE and that nowhere in the entire Bible does it say that to be saved you must pray a magic prayer, right? There are still some people on here even that believe that ridiculous stuff of praying a prayer. Like you, I cannot find a church in my own city here in the USA where the true Gospel is preached.

That whole "pray the prayer" and "Romans road" stuff was started around the 1950's by Billy Graham and is based on just ONE scripture, taken out of context. Some people still get saved in spite of it, by the grace of God only. But it is probably the worst thing that ever happened to the church in America and is ONE reason so few people in the churches lead holy lives today.

Beyond that, I wonder if maybe your bitterness is standing in the way. I myself was in bondage to bitterness for a couple decades; beginning in my early childhood satan successfully began a root of bitterness in me by using my unsaved mother against me. With that root he created a massive tree. Soon bitterness was a way of life for me, involving MANY people/offenders. It was not til i forgave my mother on her death bed that the chains were broken. When the words left my mouth ("I forgive you") even though she never asked for it, i literally felt some unseen thing unwind itself from my shoulders and back and leave me. I don't know if it was invisible chains or a demonic spirit or what but something fell off me. And i had just recently become a Believer in Christ three years before! I would suggest that i was very oppressed though.

Nonetheless, the root was still intact and it took a few more years of struggle to dig it up. I read books on forgiveness, including one by Corrie tenBoom in which she tells how she became able to forgive a former Nazi who hurt her and her family. That was helpful.

I've also had to ask God to help me forgive people, forgive me for not forgiving, and to forgive them through me, give me His strength to forgive. Try that. If there were ever a contest as to who could hold a grudge the longest I might have been the winner at one time, long ago. Repentance was a long journey because the root went very deep and it had become such a part of my character that most of the time i was not even aware of my feelings one way or the other. The devil still tries today to get me back under bondage. Mostly he uses Christians now, but especially women because of my mother. His pattern is clear. You might want to look for a pattern in your own life, as the devil is not very creative.

Bitterness prevents prayers from being answered. It might be what is hindering you more than anything else. Deal with that first and then worry about your salvation.

Oh! Also, i have found it helpful when tempted to be bitter, to OUT LOUD renounce all bitterness and OUT LOUD state that you forgive so-and-so. I have found this powerful. I suspect that when we are tempted to bitterness that the Enemy's agents are very close, doing the tempting most likely, and when you state this out loud they lose. Can't hurt to try it anyway.

sermonindex Jun 11, 2011

Just the fact that you are experiencing all this turmoil in your soul is evidence that the Lord is at work in your life! Praise God.

The advice that has been given here is very good advice, and I agree. You need to cry out to God. Repent of your sins and place your trust in Him to forgive your sins. He is already doing the regenerating work in your heart, I truly believe that.

Krispy

C

Cooksta Jun 12, 2011

Thanks all for the support and the encouragement. I really appreciate it. I think I was having a really down week. I have gone away and sought the Lord and read His word quietly and I feel much better. Praise God.

I would still appreciate your prayers but your prayers thus far have been well apreciated.

Thank you all!!

sermonindex Jun 19, 2011

I have been a “Christian” for 14 years. I say it like that because I do not believe I actually am. I have been listening to sermons recently about this sort of thing. Included was a sermon to a youth conference about modern Christianity by Paul Washer. I believe it was a while ago.
Anyway, I have so much turmoil in my soul at the moment. I look at the passages in the Word – Mat 7 mostly – and I realise that I do not stack up and that I am not the man I should be. I would not classify myself as a disciple of the Lord because I do not hate other people and things in comparison to the Lord. My thoughts betray me and I am filled with such self-loathing. I prayed “the prayer” years ago and have since done it again (“rededication”).
It just seems I am full of cynicism and have nothing to say but things that are critical. I am bitter and I am panicking. All I can think of now is if I am saved.

FYI, you need to know that this is a fruit of Paul Washer preaching. It comes with a promise of life to the religious who think they are great, and steals the promise of life from those who see that they aren't great.

Ezek 13:21 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life

Beware!!

OJ

K

Koheleth Jun 19, 2011

Stay in the epistles, don't stay in the synaptic Gospels, except John, it is different than Mathew, Mark and Luke. Mathew, Mark and Luke are for those that Jesus came to save, but they received Him not.

Two thoughts on what was shared. First, do not be afraid of Jesus. Jesus and his life and words are in all four gospels and they are spirit and truth and health and life. Take them all in. Second, I think Paul Washer is a great preacher. He works with the Spirit of God to convict men of their sin or their complacent state.

sermonindex Jun 19, 2011

According to Jesus' conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount whether one lives his words is the very proof of being saved or not (Matthew 7:21-27). Good fruit is a necessary evidence of salvation (Matthew 3:10)- which is simply having Christ living within (Colossians 1:27). He only lives inside the humble who know they can do nothing apart from him, but also believe he is able to save to the uttermost (Isaiah 57:15, Hebrews 7:25). His power is greater than sin's power and his life is more powerful than the law of sin and death (Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4). The issue is that when Christ is living through someone there is no room for boasting in one's righteousness; so the one who boasts is deceived, for the only glorying that can rightfully be done is glorying in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). We must abide in Christ to live after the Spirit and thus no longer fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16) and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23) which glorifies God (Philippians 1:11).

Cooksta, praise God for His work in your life. Keep seeking the Lord's face. He is merciful, patient, and His grace is sufficient in our weakness.

G

gazzer Jun 22, 2011

have you ever rejoyesed with the joy inexpresable
and do you know the peace that literaly passes all understanding

have you ever knowen this love from god

have you ever known it

my advice is ,hear and read the word of god over and over
for saving faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of god ,and it is through that faith by his grace that you will be saved

calling on god with out faith may not work

faith comes by hearing

hear the word of god over and over again ,and do not harden you heart ,except it and you will be saved

and then you will spontainously call upon the lord in the spirit ,and you will no that you are saved ,by the peace that will come upon you , hear the word of god ,,,,

sermonindex Jun 22, 2011

"my advice is ,hear and read the word of god over and over
for saving faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of god"

Amen dear Brother! This advise from Him has pulled me out of the miry clay many times.
His Word is Life, Spirit and Truth and able to show us that it is actually "Living" / Healing - as The Word of GOD in the flesh Is equally. Bless GOD!

G

gazzer Jun 22, 2011

hello brother ,, im not trying to cause divison

but i wasnt bornagaing by praying ,but through the hearing the writtern word of god by the ears of my heart

that scripture became true for me long before i ever saw it in the bible ,,,,,,,,faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of god
so i can only give peronal advice by experance of my own conversion

amen bless you brother ,jesus is god , i thank god for that