1. We know we are saved when we find that we are able to believe the Gospel!
a. The Gospel is foolishness to the natural man. Until a person is born again, they cannot receive anything from the Spirit of God.
(1) 1 Cor 1:18 and 2:14 say "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are (being) saved it is the power of God." and "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned." (2) John 5:24 says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that (presently) heareth my word, and believeth (trusts and relies) on him that sent me, hath (is presently possessing) everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is (has already been) passed from death (spiritual) unto life (spiritual)." (3) 1 John 5:1 says " Whosoever (presently) believeth that Jesus is the Christ is (has already been) born of God. (4) 1 John 5:12 & 13 say "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 (trust and rely) on the name of the Son of God."
2. We know we are saved because we can love our Christian brothers and sisters in Christ. (No matter what "denomination" they "belong" to).
a. 1 John 3:14 says "We know that we have passed from death (spiritual) unto life (spiritual), because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth (presently) in death (is spiritually dead)." b. John 13:35, Jesus said "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
3. We know we are saved because we can confess that Jesus is God himself come in the flesh.
a. 1 John 4:1&2 says "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: b. 1 John 5:13 says "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." ("believe" in the Scriptures means "trust in and rely on").
4. We know we are saved because God's children hear us.
1 John 4:6 says "We are of (out from the source of) God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
5. We know we are saved because we desire to keep his commandments (the imperatives of the New Testament epistles to the Churches).
1 John 2:3&5 says "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him."
6. We know we are saved because His Spirit is in us. (Internal evidence).
a. 1 John 4:13 says "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." b. Romans 8:16 says "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God".
7. We know we are saved because we can hear and love God's truth.
a. John 8:41-44&47 Jesus is speaking to scoffers and he says "Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; (accusing Jesus of being an illegitimate child) we have one Father, [even] God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear [them] not, because ye are not of God." b. In John 10:26-29 Jesus said "But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. I and [my] Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
8. We know we are saved because we can confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
1 John 4:15 says " Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God." (Notice THE Son of God)
9. We know we are saved because we can confess that Jesus is the Lord Himself.
1 Cor 12:3 says "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and [that] no man can say that Jesus is THE Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." (In the Church at Corinth, someone was claiming to be speaking by the Spirit of God, but cursing Jesus). (Jesus is not just "Lord", but "THE Lord")
10. We know we are saved, because the faith that saves us is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God:
a. Ephesians 2:5 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God" b. 2 Thess 3:2 states that all men do not have faith. Only God's children have true faith.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
1. Repent. Mark 1:15. "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said to them, "˜Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."™ " Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
2. Believe. Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
3. Confess. 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
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Jesus said, "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" Mark 13:13.
Live Life in such a way that those who do not know Christ will come to know Him because they know you
1st John 5:13- 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, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.[/i]
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Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
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How Do We Know We Are Saved
