Are you going to heaven?

You see churches doing all the "are you saved?" statements and you end up with lots of people questioning their salvation. I saw the same people get saved week after week as a result of this. It can be a form of inducing worry, etc. Not Good.

We are supposed to build people up and not knock them down

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 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 with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.…

Does it say we need spiritual gifts to be saved? No - we believe with our HEARTS. It's our desire, our longing, our admitting of our dependency, etc.

So - I say don't compare yourself to other Christians. Doing this leads to doubt and many are over estimating their own level of Faith by a show of gifts and knowledge.

I'm not too sure if God would be pleased if you had to ask if are you saved. Why - Salvation is by Faith and the question is a contradiction of your Faith. I'd change the question to "do I have a spiritual gift or calling?" That question indicates you believe you are saved and just want to find out what gift you have. That is Faith. You would get an answer - why? - because you acted in Faith not Doubt.

How do we grow in Faith?
Just Believe and not Doubt

Patchygirl1964 said:

and yes I agree there are many that are genuine, but why do we depend on the so called genuine. Who are we to believe this day and age? I can only act on God's word. Humans don't do it for me anymore. We try to twist things. I have heard a word from God that I didnt act upon because I didnt think it was from God. I thought it was in my own mind. I was wrong. It was from God but because I didnt act straight away I took the glory of God away.

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I noticed you are Pentecostal, and this can be one of the problems with Pentecostalism (speaking as one who has attended Pentecostal services, and still essentially is one).

I would not advise relying on words from anyone where your salvation is concerned. The scriptures use the expression "unstable souls," and this is what happens to those who depend on "words" from people yet do not have a strong personal relationship with God through His word. I believe in genuine prophetic words. I believe in dreams and interpretation. But I also believe the enemy can move in such areas as well, which is why one needs to be careful. By spending time in His word daily, He teaches me and communes with me, and this reminds me continually that I am in Him and He is in me, and this makes any "word" that might tell me otherwise, regardless of who it is coming from, of no great concern to me.

Blessings in Christ,
Hidden In Him

My answer to the question, is a resounding YES!!!
Not because of me, but because of Him!
I am a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I like Paul had an encounter (if you will) down the road of life , and I had an encounter with Jesus Christ.
I was ready to bust Hell wide open and then, Jesus INTERVENED!!! ( I love when He does that!)

I received His Word , humbled myself and asked for His forgiveness and salvation which He gave me.
I most certainly DID NOT EARN IT.

Ephesians 2:8(KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9
Not of works , lest any man should boast.

My Father laid down His life on the Cross.
He shed His blood for me , and He shed His blood for you.

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.
No one can take that fact away.

Romans 8:38(KJV)
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels , nor principalities, nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 (KJV)
Nor height , nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So yes, I know I will be with my Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ for eternity.
By His very own words.

As always , I shed about a quart of tears posting this.

All glory be to God now and forever!!!
And all God's people said, AMEN!!!
⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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I have also struggled with the question: "Am I saved?" My realization is the more I look at myself, the more I take my "temperatur", the more I struggle with these thoughts. Therefore I believe we are not to look at ourselves for salvation.

It's not what we feel but what we choose. I choose to follow Him. I think the certainty of salvation is to come from the cross and not from us. It's not what we feel, it's not if God has spoken to us or not. God has conquered death on the cross, forgiveness is pouring out from the cross. We are to trust in that forgiveness, rely on his mercy. It's not about our failures, it's about His LOVE. For God loves all mankind with such sweet, tender LOVE. As we trust in the cross, his LOVE, His MERCY, as we trust that we are FORGIVEN we can be confident we are saved.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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Great question! ...I'll sit and wait for the answers.

I would add to why it is I think I'm saved that I experience all of the things the Bible says are common to the experience of one who is genuinely born-again:

1.) Conviction of sin. (John 16:8)
2.) Illumination of God's truth. (Luke 12:12; John 14:26; John 16:13)
3.) Strengthening in time of trouble or temptation. (Philippians 2:13; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
4.) A love of the brethren. (1 John 3:14)
5.) A desire for holiness. (Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:22; Ephesians 4:24)
6.) The development of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
7.) A hunger for the word of God. (Jeremiah 15:16)
8.) A love for God that is ever-deepening. (Romans 5:5)
9.) Divine comfort in pain and sorrow. (John 14:16)

And so on. What's interesting, I think, is that no where does Scripture point to things like prophecy, or tongues, or healing as necessary and/or universal indicators of one's spiritual regeneration. From what I can tell from Scripture, one could live one's entire life without ever speaking in tongues or healing anyone and still have a deep, rich, fruitful walk with God. One could not say this, though, about loving the brethren, or growing more holy in one's living. Unlike tongues, or healing, or prophecy, these things are essential to, or fundamentally characteristic of, a genuinely born-again life.

Yes.. going to heaven.. the word says when I die I go to the Father... when I was young...I remember thinking about Him, everlasting life.. heaven and then all the lost. I asked "how can you send all these people to hell?". Now I have asked ALLOT of questioned and lol most of the time is NOT this fast.
He said "for God so loved the world, everyone gets a choice".

And how do I know I heard from the lord..or to this day still do? I once asked this woman that prayed 4 h a day.. a grandmother. Had wow SO much power of God. "how do you know its God talking". it was.. you know that you know that you know. At the time I thought.. what kind of answer is that? Yet.. I believed it. What does He say in the word? Are we His children? Yes.. He said.. as He did with John 3:16 which is true yes? Then "my sheep (you and me) know His voice. The voice of a stranger we wont follow"

See take Christ at His word. He means EVERY WORD! Not one word Christ says.. has no meaning. So you know His voice. For me if I have to ask.. doubt wonder.. its not Him. One can say this or that can get in they way and not hear right. Yet.. He said.. a GOD said my sheep KNOW my voice. What are the fruits of the spirit? Thats how me moves talks. Its always for the good. Always will point to Him. Always be in line with the word.

See how He talked to me? He gave me what is written. "for God so loved the world". Not to long ago.. I wont post most of it.. very very dear to my heart. But where I was EXPECTING Him to say I LOVE YOU lol.. He said...about a tree "show me a branch that is not org of the vine. I am the vine you are the branches". That was SO FAR LEFT FIELD.. no where NEAR what I was asking.. I wanted to know He loved me just as much as Israel. And thats what He said to me. It was PERFECT. My point was.. and I use personal things here. He backed up what He said.. by HIS word. I was waiting to hear I LOVE YOU just the same. just as much. I had asked .. months.. years.. and this time.. He answered.

I remember watching a christian band play.. and out of no where "behold I stand at the door and knock".. I thought.. wow wonder where that is came right back was "rev 3:20".. I laughed to my self thinking.. I am guessing. WOW.. that was the verse. Back them I had my bible every where.. I dont know..

But I went to everyone around me haha telling them what just happen. Not as happy as I was.. I had never read Rev.

So..for ME He always will back up what He said by His word so you KNOW its Him. He said to test the spirits. So.. test it.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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Over 50 years experience with discernment and quiet contemplation and you will have no doubt. Also, as Christ said when accused of healing the possessed man; Luke 11 - But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

As you mature in Christ you will come to know the truth. What you hear in your head or heart or how ever you think you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, it is going to parallel the Bible. You are not going to be told to do something against God's Word. Such as harm an innocent person, have relations with someone outside of marriage, get drunk on wine or drugs..., no. God does not whisper instructions into our ear to sin against His word. Secondly, if you keep your devotion to living a Christ centered life and following the Word you will not need to listen intently. You will know. Nobody will need to tell you.

Just keep improving your relationship with God, remember that the Devil is looking for someone who isn't concerned about that stuff.

FIRESTORM314 said:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 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 with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.…

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to the OP @Patchygirl1964 ... this above verse is quoted very often but it is not explaining to a non christian how to be saved it is a description of the process of "being saved "written to people who are already converted .
be careful of verses plucked out of context and thrown around .
peter states that it is "when the lord Jesus comes that he will then "save" his own from the judgment of God .. so until he returns we are in the process of "being saved " as long as we remain in the faith doing as he says to do having repented from doing what we know is wrong to do . and when we endure doing so until the end -we will be saved . so work out if we are in the faith and to be in the faith ,means to be consistently obedient to the lord Jesus

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16) (KJV 1900)

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven?

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Yes.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Who told you you are?

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God, through His inerrant and infallible word of the Bible and solely by the grace of God alone, in Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone. I am covered by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, perfectly and sufficiently.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Are you saved?

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Yes, solely by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Do you believe you are going to heaven?

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More than believe, I know I have eternal life because of Jesus Christ, not because of anything in me.

Patchygirl1964 said:

If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you.

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When I was about 26 years old, God opened my heart and eyes to His truth through a faithful servant and exposed my wickedness and depravity before the holy and righteous God, and showed me how Jesus came to take my place and died under the righteous wrath of God in my place, so that my sins were imputed to Him and His righteousness was imputed to me by His grace. At that moment He justified me and granted me the gift of regeneration and repentance and faith in Him. Soon after I began to read and study His word in the Bible and by His grace I learn more everyday about His truth and mercy.

Patchygirl1964 said:

How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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Because it agreed with His inerrant word of the Bible.

Patchygirl1964 said:

Are You Going to Heaven?

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No.

ToBeLoved said:

Being a Christian isn’t always easy.

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No ... it isn't.

Some of the most faithful followers of God endured great hardships ...

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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I can say for sure that I am going to heaven. Why? Because I know that I am born again and those that are born again are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). How do I know I'm born again? I was fortunate enough to see it happen in a vision. So yes, I and anyone else who is sealed with the Holy Spirit is on a pathway to heaven and will immediately go to heaven when they die. No its ands or buts about it.

ToBeLoved said:

If you have the Holy Spirit you are saved. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the seal of the New Covenant.

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Amen brother.

ItIsFinished! said:

My answer to the question, is a resounding YES!!!
Not because of me, but because of Him!
I am a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I like Paul had an encounter (if you will) down the road of life , and I had an encounter with Jesus Christ.
I was ready to bust Hell wide open and then, Jesus INTERVENED!!! ( I love when He does that!)

I received His Word , humbled myself and asked for His forgiveness and salvation which He gave me.
I most certainly DID NOT EARN IT.

Ephesians 2:8(KJV)
For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9
Not of works , lest any man should boast.

My Father laid down His life on the Cross.
He shed His blood for me , and He shed His blood for you.

I am a new creature in Christ Jesus.
No one can take that fact away.

Romans 8:38(KJV)
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels , nor principalities, nor powers , nor things present , nor things to come,

Romans 8:39 (KJV)
Nor height , nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So yes, I know I will be with my Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ for eternity.
By His very own words.

As always , I shed about a quart of tears posting this.

All glory be to God now and forever!!!
And all God's people said, AMEN!!!
⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

Click to expand...

What kind of an encounter did you have? Curious.

Are you going to heaven?

Patchygirl1964 said:

Can you say that you are going to heaven? Who told you you are? Are you saved? Do you believe you are going to heaven? If God told you you are going to heaven then please tell me how this happened for you. Its usually a personal calling. I know when we are saved we automatically go to heaven. But sometimes we hear different voices from different sources. How do you know what you heard is from the Lord.

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It is written that:

"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." ~John 10:27-28

That's how i know.