Salvation is always just a step away

Bob8102

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Sometimes I think I am saved. Other times, I'm not so sure. One thing for sure is, I believe in salvation-in-a-moment. Some of the things Jesus said to some people back this up. So, I am always in pursuit of that moment of salvation. Much of the time, it seems to elude me.

Here is a link to a sermon that keys into this matter. It is entitled, "Just a Half Step Away."

Just a Half Step Away — Church of the Good Shepherd
 

Carl Emerson

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Sometimes I think I am saved. Other times, I'm not so sure. One thing for sure is, I believe in salvation-in-a-moment. Some of the things Jesus said to some people back this up. So, I am always in pursuit of that moment of salvation. Much of the time, it seems to elude me.

Here is a link to a sermon that keys into this matter. It is entitled, "Just a Half Step Away."

Just a Half Step Away — Church of the Good Shepherd

The evidence of spiritual fruit in your life confirms salvation.
 
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Bob8102

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The evidence of spiritual fruit in your life confirms salvation.
In an OCD person, that fruit might be lacking. The question is, is the fruit lacking because of their mental health problem, or because they really are not saved?
 
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d taylor

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Fruit does not give evidence of a person and if they have believed in The Messiah for God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Assurance of Eternal Life (salvation) is based on the promise of The Messiah and not on any actions we are or can be doing.

If a person has trusted in The Messiah for God's free gift of Eternal Life they have Eternal Life never to lose it, based on the promise of The Messiah.

Here are just a few of the promises Jesus gives the believer

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.


All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Fruit does not give evidence of a persons and if they have believed in The Messiah for God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Assurance of Eternal Life (salvation) is based on the promise of The Messiah and not on any actions we are or can be doing.

If a person has trusted in The Messiah for God's free gift of Eternal Life they have Eternal Life never to lose it, based on the promise of The Messiah.

Here are just a few of the promises Jesus gives the believer

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.


All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life.

Seeing the Love of Jesus working from within you is certainly evidence that He is resident...
 
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d taylor

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Seeing the Love of Jesus working from within you is certainly evidence that He is resident...

That may be for the case for a mature believer. But the believer who can not shake a problem (drugs, alcohol, a mental problem, etc..).

I do not think anything can be more assuring that The promises that The Messiah has given the believer. Just to bad many, simply either ignore them or have forgotten them, or just do not believe them.
 
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Jeffwhosoever

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Exercise of your faith is a great way to feel more confident in your own salvation, and the Lord tells us that those the Father has given him cannot be stolen back by anyone including Satan himself. Put your faith into action by helping others, and as you see the Fruits as noted in Galatians 5:22-23 you will stop doubting and know the Holy Spirit resides in you and nothing in the world can ever remove His presence from your life. Another tip is to stay in Scripture and listen to the Lord speaking to you through his Holy word.
 
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Carl Emerson

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That may be for the case for a mature believer. But the believer who can not shake a problem (drugs, alcohol, a mental problem, etc..).

I do not think anything can be more assuring that The promises that The Messiah has given the believer. Just to bad many, simply either ignore them or have forgotten them, or just do not believe them.

Yes, I did a thread on the 'theology of hope' and many thought the only promises that are valid for us come from the NT... For me that is sad - the rich loving assurance of Jesus rings through the whole bible.
 
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Carl Emerson

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In an OCD person, that fruit might be lacking. The question is, is the fruit lacking because of their mental health problem, or because they really are not saved?

Some travel through a tunnel - I have - He as the still small voice is there in the 'dark night of the soul'

This is tough journey but morning came...

I am eternally grateful.
 
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Dorothy Mae

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Sometimes I think I am saved. Other times, I'm not so sure. One thing for sure is, I believe in salvation-in-a-moment. Some of the things Jesus said to some people back this up. So, I am always in pursuit of that moment of salvation. Much of the time, it seems to elude me.

Here is a link to a sermon that keys into this matter. It is entitled, "Just a Half Step Away."

Just a Half Step Away — Church of the Good Shepherd
Sometimes I am inclined to think modern "salvation prayers" do not lead to salvation as they are minus repentance and so those who repeat after someone the words do not experience salvation and so live in doubt. I never doubted I was saved an hour but I did experience tearful repentance weeping desperately for the state of my heart and deeds. I emerged saved and never had to wonder. This "repeat after me" salvation probably leads to more "still born new births" than anything else.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Sometimes I am inclined to think modern "salvation prayers" do not lead to salvation as they are minus repentance and so those who repeat after someone the words do not experience salvation and so live in doubt. I never doubted I was saved an hour but I did experience tearful repentance weeping desperately for the state of my heart and deeds. I emerged saved and never had to wonder. This "repeat after me" salvation probably leads to more "still born new births" than anything else.

I wonder if the same applies to children at Sunday School hearing the Gospel for the first time and making a heart response.
 
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Dorothy Mae

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I wonder if the same applies to children at Sunday School hearing the Gospel for the first time and making a heart response.
If they don’t repent, it isn’t the right heart response. Moving music (just as I am) playing in the background can move the heart on the moment. Just like romantic music can make you feel like you love someone.
 
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Carl Emerson

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If they don’t repent, it isn’t the right heart response. Moving music (just as I am) playing in the background can move the heart on the moment. Just like romantic music can make you feel like you love someone.

Yes, I was just thinking that Jesus said the Kingdom was for such as these...

He held them on His knee.

At 5 or so, there would not be a long list of henious sins to repent of, rather it would be more about feeling secure in his loving arms and being accepted.

At the same time it would be a total heart acceptance of Him as their saviour.

Maybe he accepts us on the level we can respond?
 
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Dorothy Mae

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Yes, I was just thinking that Jesus said the Kingdom was for such as these...

He held them on His knee.

At 5 or so, there would not be a long list of henious sins to repent of, rather it would be more about feeling secure in his loving arms and being accepted.

At the same time it would be a total heart acceptance of Him as their saviour.

Maybe he accepts us on the level we can respond?
I was a child and experienced deep repentance. Not a single person in the whole of the Bible offered “feeling secure in his living arms” as a sign of salvation, a step of salvation or anything close. God doesn’t want us to accept Him. He tells us what we need to do so that He accepts us.
 
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Carl Emerson

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Heb 11:6
the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

John 17:23
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.

Would these verses not suggest that a realisation of His love can precede repentance?
 
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Dorothy Mae

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So do you feel that the children were experiencing deep repentance or was Jesus referring to them coming into the Kingdom later in life?
How would we know since their reaction is not described. What we do know is no one in the Bible told people that if they just experienced the love of God or finally felt secure that they would experience salvation. Quite the opposite. IF they just felt the weight of their sin and begged God for forgiveness that they did not deserve feeling deeply wretched, then they would experience forgiveness (salvation.)
 
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Carl Emerson

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How would we know since their reaction is not described. What we do know is no one in the Bible told people that if they just experienced the love of God or finally felt secure that they would experience salvation. Quite the opposite. IF they just felt the weight of their sin and begged God for forgiveness that they did not deserve feeling deeply wretched, then they would experience forgiveness (salvation.)

But scripture does say that the drawing of the Holy Spirit comes before meeting Jesus and being given eternal life...

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
 
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Dorothy Mae

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But scripture does say that the drawing of the Holy Spirit comes before meeting Jesus and being given eternal life...

John 6:44
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
True but what does that have to do with the discussion? You asked what the children on JEsus' lap were experiencing. How can we know this?
 
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