Four Questions to Discover If Someone's Truly Saved

[thereselittleflower]

First passage:


Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Mat 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Mat 7:27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.


Second Passage:


Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.


* * * * * *

Now . . .about that list . . . . ????



Peace in Him!

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

thereselittleflower: Awesome post. As Christians we should not be worried about someone's sexual orientation. We should be concentrating on love and making sure that we are "doing to the least of them". God's grace is sufficient for all and that is what we should show. There is no need to teach that homosexuals are going to hell, it is much better to teach that we should all repent from our sins and seek the will of the Lord. The whole thing is that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we start singling out groups of people to persecute in the name of the Lord we are not doing his work at all.

The reason sodomy is such a wicked sin is not because God has it out for them, but because there is another person involved with the homosexual act: the one who is sodomized. Sodomy should be illegal and prosecuted at the highest extent of the law to prevent perverted individuals from suckering in helpless little boys into engaging in a violent and destructive act that will lead to pain, guilt, illness, or suicide.

Funny you should choose homosexuality to use here. Homosexual acts are usually between consenting adults. Why not use the word rape instead? Sodomy does not have to be a forced act to be sodomy and while I find it disgusting it is not what you make it out to be. Sodomy can be between two consenting heterosexual partners as well as two consenting homosexual partners. Rape is rape no matter who the parties involved are and that is what you are describing in your post above, not sodomy. Why would sodomy be a sin between two consenting, married, heterosexual partners?

Satan is a murderer, and sodomy causes some of the worst diseases known to man. Satan would never persuade anyone to stop participating in an activity which kills them quicker than the act of sodomy.

Sodomy causes diseases? You have got to be kidding me. What does it cause? I really have to see this!

By the way, how come nobody ever talks about the rights of those who are lying on the bed crying and bleeding after being sodomized? Why aren't we crying out for those who go home with the pain and agony and deep humiliating shame caused by those who push for the sodomite agenda against their very own lives?

Because we call it rape when we talk about it. This is because sodomy does not have to be a forcible act to be sodomy and rape is a forced act. You are showing a real bent for persecuting one group of people and that is not the love we are called to have. We should be on our knees praying for them not trying to make their lives harder. We should be trying to get them into the church so that they can see God's perfect love and know what love should be. The way you are preaching no-one is going to turn from their ways because theey are going to turn you off in their heads long before you ever get to the part about forgiveness.

These people you call sodomites are not listed as people we are not called to love. Your singling them out for the highest punishment under the law is certainly not love either. You should examine yourself and see why you have allowed one of the enemy's weapons, anger, to rule part of your life. It's the whole beam, splinter, eye thing.

 

[thebigcat]

sorry, maybe im off here but i thought it was believe in the name jesus christ and your saved, who are you to go preach based on your judgement if someone is or isnt saved... if you believe in god shouldnt he provide times where you can share your beliefs with someone else, not go forth preaching? anyways, i think someones saved if they love god, jesus christ.

 

[Reformationist]

As Christians we should not be worried about someone's sexual orientation. We should be concentrating on love and making sure that we are "doing to the least of them".

Let me say, if it's not already obvious, that I totally disagree with the content of the OP. With that said, pray tell, where did you read that we should not be worried about the sins of others? In fact, it shows a marked lack of love for us to not worry about someone else's sins. Granted, if we are going to address their sins we should do it in a spirit of love and gentleness so as to relay to them the grace we have found in the Lord but you make it sound like we should ignore the sins of our brethren. Is that what you think.

There is no need to teach that homosexuals are going to hell, it is much better to teach that we should all repent from our sins and seek the will of the Lord. The whole thing is that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When we start singling out groups of people to persecute in the name of the Lord we are not doing his work at all.

Now this I agree with.

Funny you should choose homosexuality to use here. Homosexual acts are usually between consenting adults.

Now you've lost me. What does the fact that this is a sin between consenting adults have to do with anything. Do you think God views rape as more abominable than consentual homosexual sex?

Anyway, I'm not condoning the persecution of sinners. We're all sinners. I don't think homosexuality is worse than rape or vice versa, at least not in a biblical sense.

It just seemed like you were pitting one sin, rape, against another sin, homosexuality.

God bless

 

[Curt]

The answer can also be found in James.

James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(KJV)

 

[thereselittleflower]

The answer can also be found in James.

James 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
(KJV)

Thank you Curt . . I forgot that one . . (where is an icon to hit one's self upside the head?)

But really, yes, very, very true and thank you for posting it!


Peace in Him!

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

Now you've lost me. What does the fact that this is a sin between consenting adults have to do with anything. Do you think God views rape as more abominable than consentual homosexual sex?

No not at all. I am of the firm belief that no sin is greater than any other save the unforgivable sin. I was using the illustration to point out that his statements implied that there was always a victim in a homosexual act and that he implied that the other person was never a willing participant. I am sorry that this wasn't made more clear in my original words. My intent was to show that we could be angry about a crime that always has a victim if that is his criteria. My criteria is that sin is sin and we all need to address it in our own lives and try to show the love of Christ to those around us no matter what sin they are engaging in.

 

[Reformationist]

My criteria is that sin is sin and we all need to address it in our own lives and try to show the love of Christ to those around us no matter what sin they are engaging in.

Ahh...I see. Well, wise advice.

God bless

 

[Netpreacher]

I think this sums up your whole attitude about your role in the sovereign plan of God.

Here's a better idea:

Attempt to be perfect yourself in Christ. You were never given the authority or ability to perfect anyone else.

God bless

It's from a quote in Colossians 1:28, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." You cannot say that Paul himself alone was presenting every man, but the preachers as well that were with him.

Attempting to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,
Danny

 

[Reformationist]

It's from a quote in Colossians 1:28, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." You cannot say that Paul himself alone was presenting every man, but the preachers as well that were with him.

Attempting to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus,
Danny

I don't have a problem with Christians trying to share the Gospel and help others be sanctified to the best of their ability. That was the goal for which Paul constantly strove. As long as you acknowledge that your efforts will only be as successful as the Lord has ordained and that it is He that does the perfecting, though you and I may be the tools He uses to facilitate that work, then I have no problem with your noble desire.

God bless

 

[MissFirerose]

This is by no means an end-all-be-all type of quiz, but it helps me when preaching the Gospel, because many people come up and say they believe in Jesus, but don't do the things He says to do.

1. When was the last time you told somebody that Jesus Christ rose physically from the dead?

2. Do you consider Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Master, meaning He has control over everything in your life?

3. Do you believe Jesus Christ is the only way to reach God?

4. Do you believe unrepentant homosexuals will burn in a lake of fire burning with brimstone for all eternity?

If the person answers these questions correctly in the spirit of meekness, then you can probably rest in their claims of salvation. If they answer the questions correctly, but seem offended, then watch them over a period of two weeks to see whether their fruit matches their claim of conversion. If they have not told people about Jesus, yet acknowledge the other questions, challenge them to go out and preach the gospel in sincerity. If they grudgingly answer the questions, hold back and listen to what they have to say, because they have issues that they need you to help address in their lives. If they refuse to answer the questions, let them say their peace, and then let them go on their merry way. If they say no and react in a very noticably negative way, preach hard to them; for when they are finally converted, they will make the current preachers and Christians look like lukewarm Laodiceans.

Blessings in God for all eternity!

Attempting to make every man perfect in Christ Jesus,
Danny

I think Jesus pretty much summed it up in Matthew.



Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.



Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?



And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.



Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.




I see nothing about “gays burning in hell”, as you so lovingly put it. Yet, Jesus did put a lot of emphasis on love, whereas your criteria had none of it.

 

[Netpreacher]

You know, I just read this month's edition of The Voice of the Martyrs, and there was a great quote from one of the underground church members commenting on the state church of China, called the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. He said the TSPM church teaches that we are saved by God's love, but the Bible teaches we are saved by faith. Is it loving for God to send unrepentant sinners into heaven? Is it loving for those who have exercised faith in Christ Jesus for the remission of sins, and act according to His grace, to dwell in the mercies of God with those who rejected Him all their lives?

Some may gush over the sodomites, but how come nobody realizes the reason why they are sodomites? The Bible tells us in Romans chapter 1 that they HATE GOD. Sinners who are hardened in their sin HATE GOD. Why would God lovingly allow those who hate Him to dwell in His presence? And where is this concept in the Bible?

It may seem hard to grasp that sinners will perish in hell forever. They deserve it! That's why they're going! By the grace of God, He has revealed Himself to me, and I have taken Him, but most people in this world will not receive Christ, but reject Him.

Most of you have an unbiblical worldview concerning sinners and their relationships with God. There is probably nothing I can do to change your attitudes concerning this aspect of modern American Christianity. God have mercy on all our souls for being so weak in this issue.

Attempting to make every man perfect in Christ Jesus,
Danny

 

[robbymcdowell]

I believe that whether a person is saved or not is determined by the measure of his heart, and not his answers to a few questions.

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

Netpreacher: Do you realize that we are not supposed to teach the letter of the new covenant but the spirit. Homosexuals can repent from their sin and become believers. They are no worse than liars, adulterers, those who covet, it is not up to you to decide what sins are worse. As for how we witness, you are right I don't preach hell and save people by scaring them, that worked during the 1800's and into the 1900's but it doesn't work to witness to todays man with his relativism. Dr. Francis Schaffer presents why this doesn't work and how to witness to modern man without watering down the Gospel. Just because we love those that are in sin does not mean we accept the sin. Your hate filled rantings go directly against the second most important commandment, LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. You cannot escape that one and Christ did not give a list of those we are not to love. You are not showing love towards these sinners at all. We even have a definition of love, the love we are supposed to show in 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. You attacks on these fallen men and women do not adhere to this and are not the example that we should show the world. Christ is the only answer but if you tell them that they are evil and beyond hope then they will never turn from their ways and your words become self-fulfilling. It is you who needs to check out that whole beam, mote, eye thing. Make sure your life is perfect before jumping all over someone else. It is different if someone comes and asks you but to just come out and condemn without any prompting is quite frankly disgusting and not at all like a Christian should behave.