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Aimz

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The sermon at church today was really helpful to me personally as I have been dealing with doubts of my assurance in eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The pastor went through 1 Thessalonians verses 1-4 listing out 11 signs of election and assurance that Paul points out. He said these are to encourage those in doubt and to serve as a warning to those who need to wake up to a reality check.

  1. Work of faith. Fruitful acts produced and inspired by faith in God not to be confused with meritorious works because salvation and atonement cannot be paid by anyone but our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Labour of love. Harder works, things that cost you your status or reputation through sacrifice, going against the world and popular opinion.
  3. Patience of hope. Anticipation of and for the kingdom.
  4. Living consciously in the sight of God. Knowing that He sees all and knows all that you do not forget it and act in the old nature as if you are hidden and not responsible or accountable.
  5. Received the gospel with power of conviction. Not in word only liking and accepting the message and theory but not changing your lifestyle.
  6. Received the gospel with the Holy Spirit. Him revealing mysteries beyond human wisdom and authority.
  7. Realisation. Much assurance, progressing certainty.
  8. Dedicated followers. Not just Sunday or 9-5 Christians but always on duty for His kingdom’s service.
  9. Accepting of trials and sufferings. Not complaining or blaming others or having these be dominant in your personality for others to see.
  10. Joy in the Holy Spirit. Freedom of leaving behind the world and selfish lives, living to please God.
  11. Being visibly in God’s mould. A true converted behaviour pattern and lifestyle inspiring others.
I feel better about my assurance now and I hope if anyone else needed the encouragement too that posting this helps you!
 

HereIStand

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Glad this was helpful to you. It sounds like you have every reason for to have assurance of your salvation.

For me, trying to establish assurance within myself or in life can lead to uncertainty. Years ago, I recall reading a book in which the author suggested that answered prayer could be one sign of assurance. This seems subjective though, since prayers may not be answered in the way that we hope.

I do think assurance is something that we should seek though, but we should look to Christ instead of ourselves.
 
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JacksBratt

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The sermon at church today was really helpful to me personally as I have been dealing with doubts of my assurance in eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The pastor went through 1 Thessalonians verses 1-4 listing out 11 signs of election and assurance that Paul points out. He said these are to encourage those in doubt and to serve as a warning to those who need to wake up to a reality check.

  1. Work of faith. Fruitful acts produced and inspired by faith in God not to be confused with meritorious works because salvation and atonement cannot be paid by anyone but our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Labour of love. Harder works, things that cost you your status or reputation through sacrifice, going against the world and popular opinion.
  3. Patience of hope. Anticipation of and for the kingdom.
  4. Living consciously in the sight of God. Knowing that He sees all and knows all that you do not forget it and act in the old nature as if you are hidden and not responsible or accountable.
  5. Received the gospel with power of conviction. Not in word only liking and accepting the message and theory but not changing your lifestyle.
  6. Received the gospel with the Holy Spirit. Him revealing mysteries beyond human wisdom and authority.
  7. Realisation. Much assurance, progressing certainty.
  8. Dedicated followers. Not just Sunday or 9-5 Christians but always on duty for His kingdom’s service.
  9. Accepting of trials and sufferings. Not complaining or blaming others or having these be dominant in your personality for others to see.
  10. Joy in the Holy Spirit. Freedom of leaving behind the world and selfish lives, living to please God.
  11. Being visibly in God’s mould. A true converted behaviour pattern and lifestyle inspiring others.
I feel better about my assurance now and I hope if anyone else needed the encouragement too that posting this helps you!
That must have been a very good message to hear with lots of good information.

I was reading, looking for the one trait that I have been told, by a Christian councilor, that is one indicator that they use for someone walking with Christ as a true Christian..I was hoping to see it in your list above..

That trait is "the ability to forgive".

Did the one giving the message touch on this?
 
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Aimz

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Hello Here,

Yes the reason for my doubts was because I was trying to take control. I forgot I do not know how that my salvation was bought by Jesus and I am redeemed, the loss of rewards from Heaven what I build on His foundation is the source of my temporary doubt and grief. Thank our God I have been humbked and made teachable again.

Take care and all the best,
Aimz.

Glad this was helpful to you. It sounds like you have every reason for to have assurance of your salvation.

For me, trying to establish assurance within myself or in life can lead to uncertainty. Years ago, I recall reading a book in which the author suggested that answered prayer could be one sign of assurance. This seems subjective though, since prayers may not be answered in the way that we hope.

I do think assurance is something that we should seek though, but we should look to Christ instead of ourselves.
 
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Aimz

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Hello Jacks,

Today’s sermon in the teaching service was just the introduction to our latest Bible study in Thessalonians it only covered a few verses so I am sure he will cover more in the coming weeks. It was very! Much needed personally. There are many indicators for us to see and that are explained in all of Scripture but the ability to be merciful and forgive is definately a huge trait I agree!

Take care and all the best,
Aimz.

That must have been a very good message to hear with lots of good information.

I was reading, looking for the one trait that I have been told, by a Christian councilor, that is one indicator that they use for someone walking with Christ as a true Christian..I was hoping to see it in your list above..

That trait is "the ability to forgive".

Did the one giving the message touch on this?
 
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faroukfarouk

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The sermon at church today was really helpful to me personally as I have been dealing with doubts of my assurance in eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The pastor went through 1 Thessalonians verses 1-4 listing out 11 signs of election and assurance that Paul points out. He said these are to encourage those in doubt and to serve as a warning to those who need to wake up to a reality check.

  1. Work of faith. Fruitful acts produced and inspired by faith in God not to be confused with meritorious works because salvation and atonement cannot be paid by anyone but our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Labour of love. Harder works, things that cost you your status or reputation through sacrifice, going against the world and popular opinion.
  3. Patience of hope. Anticipation of and for the kingdom.
  4. Living consciously in the sight of God. Knowing that He sees all and knows all that you do not forget it and act in the old nature as if you are hidden and not responsible or accountable.
  5. Received the gospel with power of conviction. Not in word only liking and accepting the message and theory but not changing your lifestyle.
  6. Received the gospel with the Holy Spirit. Him revealing mysteries beyond human wisdom and authority.
  7. Realisation. Much assurance, progressing certainty.
  8. Dedicated followers. Not just Sunday or 9-5 Christians but always on duty for His kingdom’s service.
  9. Accepting of trials and sufferings. Not complaining or blaming others or having these be dominant in your personality for others to see.
  10. Joy in the Holy Spirit. Freedom of leaving behind the world and selfish lives, living to please God.
  11. Being visibly in God’s mould. A true converted behaviour pattern and lifestyle inspiring others.
I feel better about my assurance now and I hope if anyone else needed the encouragement too that posting this helps you!
John's First Epistle is partly about assurance of salvation; very stirring and helpful also. :)
 
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Introverted1293

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The sermon at church today was really helpful to me personally as I have been dealing with doubts of my assurance in eternal life with Jesus Christ.
The pastor went through 1 Thessalonians verses 1-4 listing out 11 signs of election and assurance that Paul points out. He said these are to encourage those in doubt and to serve as a warning to those who need to wake up to a reality check.

  1. Work of faith. Fruitful acts produced and inspired by faith in God not to be confused with meritorious works because salvation and atonement cannot be paid by anyone but our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. Labour of love. Harder works, things that cost you your status or reputation through sacrifice, going against the world and popular opinion.
  3. Patience of hope. Anticipation of and for the kingdom.
  4. Living consciously in the sight of God. Knowing that He sees all and knows all that you do not forget it and act in the old nature as if you are hidden and not responsible or accountable.
  5. Received the gospel with power of conviction. Not in word only liking and accepting the message and theory but not changing your lifestyle.
  6. Received the gospel with the Holy Spirit. Him revealing mysteries beyond human wisdom and authority.
  7. Realisation. Much assurance, progressing certainty.
  8. Dedicated followers. Not just Sunday or 9-5 Christians but always on duty for His kingdom’s service.
  9. Accepting of trials and sufferings. Not complaining or blaming others or having these be dominant in your personality for others to see.
  10. Joy in the Holy Spirit. Freedom of leaving behind the world and selfish lives, living to please God.
  11. Being visibly in God’s mould. A true converted behaviour pattern and lifestyle inspiring others.
I feel better about my assurance now and I hope if anyone else needed the encouragement too that posting this helps you!

This actually is discourages me. But I guess that's my issue.
 
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Aimz

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Hello,

All of it or just some bits?
I am sorry it does but yes it has a two fold effect and we all need humbling sometimes. I certainly did!

This actually is discourages me. But I guess that's my issue.
 
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Episaw

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Central to my assurance is that we cannot outdo the love of God. Being autistic, I find love is a strange concept and not one easily understood or experienced.

That all changed for me when I was taken up into heaven and came face to face with God who put his arms around me and loved me with his everlasting love.

And then God gave me a revelation that no matter what I do, I cannot minimise the love of God for me as it is eternal and everlasting. Through my failures, his love for me increases because the extent of his love for me is the cross and nothing can surpass that. it is total and complete and there is enough there to cover a multitude of sins.

As I trust him, I know that his love will shower down on me constantly to protect me from the works of satan and if I falter it only serves to bring more of his love into my life to enable me to climb up out of the slough of despond and back onto the way everlasting in newness of life.

Because of all that I don't have to walk a tightrope of trying to please God as I am already accepted through his grace. Like a good earthly father who accepts his son regardless of whether he is good, bad or indifferent.

My earthly son has been all three but we still love each other unconditionally.
 
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Seraphin29

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Thank you for this! It encourages me but also challenges me! Some of this I am not doing as well as I should, but I am still growing in Christ. This is good guidance! My faith was seriously challenged but is now strong again, now I need to move forward with the Holy Spirit and breakthrough some more of my barriers!
 
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friend of

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Yes the reason for my doubts was because I was trying to take control.

This actually is discourages me. But I guess that's my issue.

The bible says we are to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. Those that are deceiving themselves about being Christian do not examine themselves, but rather they "go on ahead without Jesus" in their presumptions and fail to adhere to what the bible says (re: 2 John 1:9)

It is for this reason I believe that having occasional doubts from time-to-time about certain things when we are comparing our lives, both inner and outer, to the lives the bible compels us to conform to is not a terrible thing at all. It means that we are not being presumptive, that we are taking our time, that we are assuring our hearts are truly in alignment with our Savior, and that we are bent on true spiritual growth.

:)
 
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1stcenturylady

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1 John 3 is a scripture that describes if you are a Christian. One clue is "are your prayers answered"?

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
 
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Brotherly Spirit

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Much informative posts here to help us. The original post for those whelmed by the long list and definitions can broken and shorten. (1 Thessalonians 1:3,1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

I know for me it's easier to remember simple things; step by step. Such as faith, love, hope in Christ to God (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10); this done by living for him in Jesus's name and following his example. (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7)

How Jesus Christ had faith, love, and hope to God and for us is how we're to know. So if you have any worries, I think it could be further simplified as having faith in Christ as everything else comes comes from it. Truly believing he is the Son of God who knows the Father, understanding his word and gave it to us; letting us know his will and love (knowing him and him us, and each other of him; the Holy Spirit of God).
 
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