Assurance of Salvation
On what should we humans rely on for our salvation?
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Once we know and believe that God’s love for us is unconditional, we can rely on Him for the assurance of our salvation. And His love for us never fails.[1]
So, our Assurance of Salvation is based on God’s Love, and not our performance!!
You are not lost every time you fall....Nowhere in scripture, does it teach that.... every time you fall, you come out of Christ! If you tell me, that I come out of Christ every time I fall, then the natural argument is: I am in Christ because I am obeying!! And that puts you back under the Law.[2]
It is true that, every time you fall, it hurts Christ because, that sin was involved on the cross. It is true that, every time you fall, we misrepresent Christ; we are poor witnesses. But Christ doesn’t condemn you, every time you fall, because if He did you would be under the Law and not under grace....There is only one way we can be saved and that is through the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.[2]
If it were based on, how well we were doing in performance and good works, then we would not know the status of our salvation, until the end.
And that would cause people to live in fear of the judgment and to doubt in God's promises. And that is exactly what the devil has been planting in the minds of people!! I am so glad that you have found this website, so that the truth can set you free.
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Take a look at what the bible says in the book of First John, chapter 5, verse 13:
I John 5 (v. 13) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life....
Did you catch that, at this time, "that you may know that you have eternal life," right now, not waiting in fear until the end.
Does that mean Everyone is going to be Saved?
No!! Because not everyone will believe, most people will reject it!
In the council of heaven, provision was made that men, though transgressors, should not perish in their disobedience; but, through faith in Christ as their substitute and surety, might become the elect of God predestinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself....[3]
Acts 15 (v. 10) Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (v. 11) But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved in the same manner as they.
....God wills that all men should be saved; for ample provision has been made, in giving his only-begotten Son to pay man’s ransom. Those who perish, will perish because they refuse to be adopted as children of God through Christ Jesus. The pride of man hinders him from accepting the provisions of salvation.[3]
Acts 13 (v. 46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold we turn to the Gentiles.”
But human merit will not admit a soul into the presence of God. That which will make a man acceptable to God is the imparted grace of Christ through faith in his name. No dependence can be placed in works....as evidence that men are chosen of God; for the elect are chosen through Christ.[3]
For a deeper understanding of this topic you can review: “The Heart of the Issue”
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Jer 31 (v. 3) ....His loving kindness draws us to him....
Do we have to go search for our salvation?
When a sheep is Lost, does he search for the Sheppard?
Who searches for who?
Matt 18 (v. 11-14) Parable of the Lost sheep....(v. 11) For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.... (v. 14)....it is not the will of your Father in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
So, Jesus takes the initiative to pursue us, when we are Lost, EVEN when we are not looking for Him!!
What does the knowledge of God's perfect love cast out?
I John 4 (v. 17) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.... (v. 18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
Fear of the judgment is the result of our sin problem. Because all have sinned, we are all victims to the fear of death, the wages of sin. Only the knowledge of God's redeeming love can cast out this fear.[1]
And what can you do right now, to have a clean slate with God? Read what the bible says:
I John 1 (v. 9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
As Christians we may have to face many hardships in this world, but our joy, peace, and hope come from knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God.[1]
There will never come a time when God will stop loving us, because His love is unconditional and everlasting. This love, manifested in Christ and Him crucified, is our eternal hope.[1]
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1) The righteousness that qualifies you for heaven, is always "in Christ" and never in you!
Rom 3 (v. 21) But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed.... (v. 22) even the righteousness of God which is through
faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.
The faith that qualifies you for heaven, is not in your performance, but in the righteousness of Christ!!
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2) This righteousness, which is "in Christ" can never be destroyed. It is guaranteed!!
I Pet 1 (v. 3) Blessed be the God and Father....who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us....to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
(Verse 4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
(Verse 5) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The gift of salvation (your inheritance) is sitting there in heaven, just waiting for you!!
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3) The faith which makes that gift yours, is not in heaven, but rather it is in you, and that can be destroyed.
Heb 10 (v. 35) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (v. 38) Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.
(Verse 39) But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
The devil will try to destroy your faith, since he cannot destroy your inheritance, by pulling you out of Christ, through unbelief.
Matt 24 (v. 13) But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
He who is at last crowned conqueror must depend, as Christ did, upon divine power. Every step Christ took was taken in dependence upon God, and not in a single point did the enemy overcome Him.[4]
Do we really believe that? Because, that is what it will take for us to enter into the kingdom!!
References:
1. Savior of the world Bible Course, (2000). Lesson 2, “The Love of God.”
2. Vineyard Ministries. “Freedom in Christ” Tape 8B. The Gospel in Galatians, Audiocassette.
3. E.G. White, The Signs of the Times, (2 Jan 1893), par.4
4. Bible Echo & Signs of the Times, (23 Jul 1900). "Tempted in All Points," par.10
Image #1: Heart of wisdom, (2015). Love one another as I have loved you. Retrieved from http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/love-one-another/
Image #2: Mark McMillion, (2017). John writing in prison. Retrieved from http://markmcmillion.com/knowing/
Image #3: Biblical Israel Tours, (2016). Jesus is the good shepherd. Retrieved from http://biblicalisraeltours.com/tag/shepherd/
Image #4: Youth World, (n.d.). Christ is my righteousness. Retrieved from http://ubdavid.org/youth-world/countryheaven/country-heaven11.html
Image #5: Empowered Bible Study Ministries, (2014). Our Eternal Inheritance. Retrieved from http://empoweredbiblestudy.blogspot.com/2014/05/our-eternal-inheritance.html
Image #6: Fearless Living, (2016). Looking to the God of all hope. Retrieved from https://daybydayfearlessliving.com/2016/07/
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