Normally I share my everyday updates of my Journey in Christ,
but today is a rare exception as I share one of my devotions
that burns in my heart. I wanted to share it with you all.
Note: For more devotions(over 50) go to my blog or website:
True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!
Note: Today's devotion was Inspired by a message I heard by Ray Comfort
The purpose of this teaching is NOT to scare you out of your salvation, but to help you have a clear presentation of the gospel and to give you an understanding that all who say they are “SAVED” may indeed not be saved, that’s why their lives have never changed. A life touched by Jesus is a changed life!
In all this I want the true believer to remember the keeping power of the LORD for His children.
John 10:28 (no one will snatch us out of His [God’s] hand)
Heb. 13:5 (I will NEVER leave you…)
Phil. 1:6 (…He has has begun a good work in you will complete it…)
Common Example: Someone said they were saved as a child, yet their lives never changed. Now they are living in the world with no intentions of changing, no conviction, no concern about their spiritual state . It can be false hope to think you are saved when you are not.
I’m not judging you, God’s Word does!!!
1. The purpose of the law (10 Commandments) in sharing the Gospel
This brings me to the first area of neglect that I feel is so important in ministering to the lost about Christ (I’m not saying it is the only way – but it is a scripture-based method). We need
to use the law (especially the 10 Commandments) to show people their need of Christ.
James 2:10 says that no one keeps the law, thus, guilty of ALL.Rom. 3:19 tells us the Law holds ALL accountable/guilty (see 10 Commandments – Exo. 20), even those who maybe haven’t heard the 10 commandments. ALL have the law in them (written on their hearts).
Rom. 2:14,15
We want to see people come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but we haven’t shown them how very guilty they are before a Holy God. How can a man repent if he doesn’t know he is a sinner (guilty)?
Some have experienced a false salvation, as we see in Matt. 7:18-23
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth thewill 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 havecast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (in the Greek it means not even once – (thus, it is not talking about a backslider): depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Paul hadn’t know sin except the law. (Rom. 7:7) Earlier he said in Rom. 7:4 – “…Dead to the law through Christ.”
I believe without the preaching of the law (that shows us that we are guilty before a Holy God) we have produced a group of people, not just in the world, BUT IN THE CHURCH, who are not saved, but deceived into a false salvation; thus, our churches lack the fear of God (no reverence, no awe, no trembling before God).
My final thought on the LAW is found in Gal. 3:24-25 – The Law is our schoolmaster/tutor. It won’t save you but point you to your need for Christ.
I love the following quote:
“THE LAW CAN ONLY CHASE A MAN TO CALVARY, NO FURTHER” (law can’t save you!) – D.L. Moody
2. True salvation will bring forth repentance and be followed by good fruit
While salvation is not of works (Eph. 2:8,9 & Titus 3:5), the outcome of a true conversion will be repentance and fruit.
If there is no true repentance, then there is no true salvation – Acts 3:19, 26:20, Matt. 3:8
If there is no fruit , then there is no Salvation.See – John 15:5, 16; Rom. 6:20-22
Rom.7:4 – Dead to the law – married to another – Jesus Christ --->Fruit unto God
What is the fruit of a true believer (partial list, not all inclusive)?
1. Matt. 3:8, Acts 3:19 – Fruit of REPENTANCE.
2. Col. 1:10, Titus 2;11-14, 3:8 – Fruit of GOOD WORKS.
3. Heb. 13:15 – Fruit of THANKSGIVING.
4. Gal. 5:22,23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT (love, joy, peace…).
5. Phil. 1:11, James 3;17-18 – Fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS (which results because of Christ in one’s life).
End with this short story:
It is said that years back two Russian guards rushed into a prayer meeting and said, “if you’re NOT ready to die for Christ, then get out of here, and half the church left. ” They did this as they themselves were Christians and wanted to separate the true Christians from the false.
CONCLUSION:
Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith!!! If not, and this message has touched you, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Then, get grounded in a good Bible believing church – let me know if you don’t know the churches in your area, I’ll help you find one.
In a few days I will send out another message (part two at http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/ ).
So if you are interested in my devotions go there or to my website: http://www.biblefood.org/
Audio of this complete message as preached in Nigeria, Africa, is available at: www.sermon.net/biblefood “True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!”
In the next blog I will share what's going on in My Journey in Christ since coming back to USA!
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