How do I ACTUALLY be saved?

[Luke Krause]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

1. God says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God is saying that it is not our doing that earns us salvation, but only Jesus' doing. But God says several times in the Bible that I must believe in the Lord, Jesus to be saved. Isn't believing in Jesus my doing? And I'm a sinner, so I don't trust my own doing. What if, because I'm a sinner, I don't believe in Jesus in the future?

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

3. What do you all think about "once saved, always saved"? If I am saved now, will I always be saved? Can my salvation be taken away from me? Below are two links regarding this topic, one from gotquestions.org and wels.net . gotquestions.org (a very popular online Christian FAQ) says that once you are saved, you are always saved. The link provides a lot of Bible references too. But wels.net , also providing a lot of Bible references, says that a Christian can fall from the faith. The links are right below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html

https://wels.net/faq/position-on-once-saved-always-saved/

Could you give a biblical answer on which of the links, if any of them, is correct?

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

 

[Gell]

Surrender your life to the Lord Jesus.
Matthew 16:24
Do not put your trust on anything else, even in your self. Instead put your trust in the One who died for your sins.
Pray with everything you do. Give all your cares and worries to Him who loves you even in the beginning of everything you see now.
God bless you!

 

[Kevin Snow]

So is there?

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ~Philippians 2:1

Do you have these qualities? Are you comforted in Christ in truth? Or are you just saying that you are so that you can continue to present yourself as a Christian to others?

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ~2 Peter 1:3-8

 

[SkyWriting]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

1. God says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God is saying that it is not our doing that earns us salvation, but only Jesus' doing. But God says several times in the Bible that I must believe in the Lord, Jesus to be saved. Isn't believing in Jesus my doing? And I'm a sinner, so I don't trust my own doing. What if, because I'm a sinner, I don't believe in Jesus in the future?

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

3. What do you all think about "once saved, always saved"? If I am saved now, will I always be saved? Can my salvation be taken away from me? Below are two links regarding this topic, one from gotquestions.org and wels.net . gotquestions.org (a very popular online Christian FAQ) says that once you are saved, you are always saved. The link provides a lot of Bible references too. But wels.net , also providing a lot of Bible references, says that a Christian can fall from the faith. The links are right below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html

https://wels.net/faq/position-on-once-saved-always-saved/

Could you give a biblical answer on which of the links, if any of them, is correct?

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

What Jesus did
is what saved you.

If you accept His free Gift,
you are saved.

 

[Chinchilla]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

1. God says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God is saying that it is not our doing that earns us salvation, but only Jesus' doing. But God says several times in the Bible that I must believe in the Lord, Jesus to be saved. Isn't believing in Jesus my doing? And I'm a sinner, so I don't trust my own doing. What if, because I'm a sinner, I don't believe in Jesus in the future?

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

3. What do you all think about "once saved, always saved"? If I am saved now, will I always be saved? Can my salvation be taken away from me? Below are two links regarding this topic, one from gotquestions.org and wels.net . gotquestions.org (a very popular online Christian FAQ) says that once you are saved, you are always saved. The link provides a lot of Bible references too. But wels.net , also providing a lot of Bible references, says that a Christian can fall from the faith. The links are right below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html

https://wels.net/faq/position-on-once-saved-always-saved/

Could you give a biblical answer on which of the links, if any of them, is correct?

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

1 John 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.


You become new , sinless creature . That creature can't sin today , tommorow or never so it will never die . You still have your flesh which has sinful nature and it's wages is death that's why it will die one day and worms will be happy to eat it , but you won't die .

 

[gomerian]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

19:17 ... if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 ... Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit
adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. (Matthew, KJV)

12:28 'He who is rejecting Me, and not receiving My sayings, hath one who is judging him, the word that I spake, that will judge him in the last day, (John, YLT)

The church of Laodicea will have lukewarm-works, without faith in what Jesus says. Philadelphia has works and has not denied anything that Jesus ever says, narrow is the Way.

 

[gomerian]

1 John 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

"every one who is remaining in Him doth not sin; every one who is sinning, hath not seen Him, nor known Him."(verse 8, YLT)

"if we may say -- 'we have not sin,' ourselves we lead astray, and the truth is not in us; if we may confess our sins, stedfast He is and righteous that He may forgive us the sins, and may cleanse us from every unrighteousness; if we may say -- 'we have not sinned,' a liar we make Him, and His word is not in us."(1 John 1:5-10, YLT)

Matthew 5:22-24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
____________
To be remaining in Him, we must confess our sins, to the people we have wronged, and repent is from the heart.

Once saved always saved is a lie from the pit of hell.

 

[Chinchilla]

"every one who is remaining in Him doth not sin; every one who is sinning, hath not seen Him, nor known Him."(verse 8, YLT)

"if we may say -- 'we have not sin,' ourselves we lead astray, and the truth is not in us; if we may confess our sins, stedfast He is and righteous that He may forgive us the sins, and may cleanse us from every unrighteousness; if we may say -- 'we have not sinned,' a liar we make Him, and His word is not in us."(1 John 1:5-10, YLT)

Matthew 5:22-24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
____________
To be remaining in Him, we must confess our sins, to the people we have wronged, and repent is from the heart.

Once saved always saved is a lie from the pit of hell.

No it does not say remaining it's saying never sin not even once . Go back to greek and check what the word means . Don't use some twisted translations to justify your point of view .

 

[Halbhh]

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

Once you truly hear and believe the Word of Christ, that He rose again, that He will come again, then because of your faith you are being saved (present tense), you will want to hear more of what He said, and this should show you how urgently important indeed it is to listen to Christ, instead of just relying on a part of the picture piece. Consider, after Ephesians 2:8-9, next comes verse 10: Ephesians 2:10. Right?

So, consider what Christ said about listening to Him and putting His words to us into practice in our lives:

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
-- Christ our Lord in Matthew chapter 7

And there is the key to assurance!

 

[dreadnought]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

1. God says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God is saying that it is not our doing that earns us salvation, but only Jesus' doing. But God says several times in the Bible that I must believe in the Lord, Jesus to be saved. Isn't believing in Jesus my doing? And I'm a sinner, so I don't trust my own doing. What if, because I'm a sinner, I don't believe in Jesus in the future?

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

3. What do you all think about "once saved, always saved"? If I am saved now, will I always be saved? Can my salvation be taken away from me? Below are two links regarding this topic, one from gotquestions.org and wels.net . gotquestions.org (a very popular online Christian FAQ) says that once you are saved, you are always saved. The link provides a lot of Bible references too. But wels.net , also providing a lot of Bible references, says that a Christian can fall from the faith. The links are right below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html

https://wels.net/faq/position-on-once-saved-always-saved/

Could you give a biblical answer on which of the links, if any of them, is correct?

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

When we repent of our sin, the Lord rescues us.

 

[Halbhh]

No it does not say remaining it's saying never sin not even once . Go back to greek and check what the word means . Don't use some twisted translations to justify your point of view .

This has come up before, discussing what John means exactly, in view of chapter 1, and the way to understand it is to read fully through. John is telling us that as we dwell in Christ and do as He said -- loving others -- we are not sinning. But at times believers stumble, sin, (consider Peter), and then, when we do sin, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (chapter 1). See? When we do stumble, fall down, then when we confess, truly repent before God, then we are forgiven our sin, and purified! Restored. See? It's just like the Prodigal Son -- the amazing mercy and Grace, that we only need to truly confess (for real, to God our Father) to be forgiven and restored! Hallelujah!

 

[Chinchilla]

This has come up before, discussing what John means exactly, in view of chapter 1, and the way to understand it is to read fully through. John is telling us that as we dwell in Christ and do as He said -- loving others -- we are not sinning. But at times believers stumble, sin, (consider Peter), and then, when we do sin, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (chapter 1). See? When we do stumble, fall down, then when we confess, truly repent before God, then we are forgiven our sin, and purified! Restored. See? It's just like the Prodigal Son -- the amazing mercy and Grace, that we only need to truly confess (for real, to God our Father) to be forgiven and restored! Hallelujah!

No if you read what Paul wrote you would understand the new man and the old man . God gave you new birth but he did not kill the old man , that's why you should put off the old man and walk in new man so walk in Spirit and not in the old man in the flesh .

Ephesians 4:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;


Colossians 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

 

[Halbhh]

No if you read what Paul wrote you would understand the new man and the old man . God gave you new birth but he did not kill the old man , that's why you should put off the old man and walk in new man so walk in Spirit and not in the old man in the flesh .

Ephesians 4:22 King James Version (KJV)
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;


Colossians 3:9 King James Version (KJV)
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Often we end up in a Tower of Babel moment here in CF. Reading carefully it appears to me you and I already agree on this part fully. I usually think of Romans chapter 8 for that good point you are repeating here.

What's the most helpful for these questions is to fully read through entire books, never just passages, but fully through, getting all that is said in all the chapters and verses.

What causes a believer to ever sin? It happens in a moment when we have looked away from Christ, focused on things of the world, natural passions, the fleshly. When we turn away from him, to our fleshly desires, greed, lust, envy, false witness, and all the fleshly urges, even for social popularity (as Peter when he caved into pressure and refused for a time to eat with the uncircumcised). But we all are given the wonderful gift that we can confess our sins and be forgiven --

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

 

[JojoM]

Hello,

I don't feel very motivated in life because I just don't know what could happen in the future. Right now, I do believe and love God, but because of my great sin, I feel that in the future I might fall away from God. I'd just like to know what any of you people have to say about the questions below. If any of you could answer these for me, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

1. God says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. God is saying that it is not our doing that earns us salvation, but only Jesus' doing. But God says several times in the Bible that I must believe in the Lord, Jesus to be saved. Isn't believing in Jesus my doing? And I'm a sinner, so I don't trust my own doing. What if, because I'm a sinner, I don't believe in Jesus in the future?

2. Based on question 1 above, is there anything in the Bible that could give me confidence that I won't lose salvation in the future?

3. What do you all think about "once saved, always saved"? If I am saved now, will I always be saved? Can my salvation be taken away from me? Below are two links regarding this topic, one from gotquestions.org and wels.net . gotquestions.org (a very popular online Christian FAQ) says that once you are saved, you are always saved. The link provides a lot of Bible references too. But wels.net , also providing a lot of Bible references, says that a Christian can fall from the faith. The links are right below:

https://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html

https://wels.net/faq/position-on-once-saved-always-saved/

Could you give a biblical answer on which of the links, if any of them, is correct?

------

To be honest, I'm kind of in panic mode. I don't want to do good works my entire life just to be confident that God would be pleased with me. I know God loves me. But with the unanswered questions above, I don't know if I will love God in the future. I ask that you take the time to answer these questions when you get the chance. Thank you again!

I admire your humble heart. I hope this helps...

Believing however is somewhat passive. We do not believe because we choose to. A blind man who has not seen light before can not understand or even imagine what light is. If he says he believes that light exist and yet does not know what he believes because he does not have any idea or concept of what it is, then in effect, he does not believe it really. But if he is given sight, he’ll realise the difference of darkness and light and it is only then that he is genuinely able to believe that light actually exists. We are all born blind to the truth until God gives us sight. When God reveals the truth to us, it is only then that we genuinely believe and are saved.

But who are those that God will give sight to? Only those who were kept under the law.
Galatians 3 - 23. Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.

Why should we be kept under the law? Is it because by following the law, we will be saved? If that is the reason then you and all of us will be damned because none of us can follow the law. Instead the law is there so that we realise that we are sinners.

Romans 3 - 20. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

You must realise that there is nothing you can do to be saved. You must realise that you are a sinner and that you cannot stop sinning no matter how hard you try. So what can we do? Nothing really but ask God’s help in absolute humility to grant us mercy.

In the past, God commanded the Jews to offer the blood of goats and calves or lambs to atone for their sins. But that was only a shadow of the greater things to come.

John 1 - 29. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus is the Lamb of God whose blood is offered to atone for the sins of the world. But what about the sins that will be committed in the future?

Hebrews 9 - 12. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Jesus’ sinless blood is shed to obtain eternal redemption for you and for the whole world. In short all your sins even those that you have not done yet have already been paid for.

*I was blind and now I see*

 

[Kiterius]

1. Get baptized in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

2. Believe in your baptism.

3. Keep spiritually strengthened through God's word and sacrament.

 

[gomerian]

No it does not say remaining it's saying never sin not even once . Go back to greek and check what the word means . Don't use some twisted translations to justify your point of view .

Yes, it does say remaining... it's the the tense of the word. Young's Literal Translation is the only way to see what John was saying.

John didn't use the words that make for a one-trick-pony; John used the words that mean 'do and keep on doing'... which is why Jesus loved John.

John tells us that if we say we never sin, we're lying to ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we don't sin, then we won't ever repent of hurting other people. Who wants to live in that world?

I cannot tell you how many people I've known who will hurt you and then run away... or worse... act like it never happened at all. Nobody I've ever known has never hurt anyone else, but very few people apologize. 'The love of many will wax cold'... not wane cold. Too sad for words. Because there is no forgiveness without repentance.

 

[Chinchilla]

Yes, it does say remaining... it's the the tense of the word. Young's Literal Translation is the only way to see what John was saying.

John didn't use the words that make for a one-trick-pony; John used the words that mean 'do and keep on doing'... which is why Jesus loved John.

John tells us that if we say we never sin, we're lying to ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we don't sin, then we won't ever repent of hurting other people. Who wants to live in that world?

I cannot tell you how many people I've known who will hurt you and then run away... or worse... act like it never happened at all. Nobody I've ever known has never hurt anyone else, but very few people apologize. 'The love of many will wax cold'... not wane cold. Too sad for words. Because there is no forgiveness without repentance.

What is repentance ?

 

[Chinchilla]

1. Get baptized in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

2. Believe in your baptism.

3. Keep spiritually strengthened through God's word and sacrament.

No keeping anything , either you are born again or not , you can't be half born or half unborn .
Galatians 2:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

John 6:47
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”

King James Version (KJV)

Present tense not future tense .

 

[Halbhh]

What is repentance ?

While any of us could answer so briefly, we really should want to gain, or be encouraged, from our brothers. Here are some beautiful answers I just saw --

Charles Spurgeon writes:
Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved.

J. I. Packer writes:
Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of your God, and as our knowledge grows at these three points so our practice of repentance has to be enlarged.

John Piper writes:
Repenting means experiencing a change of mind that now sees God as true and beautiful and worthy of all our praise and all our obedience.
-
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-repentance

Here's an article on Billy Graham's site:
"Repentance is a biblical word. The Old Testament thunders, “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:30, NKJV). The New Testament also vigorously exhorts men and women to repent. “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” said Jesus (Luke 13:3, NKJV). “Repent … and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,” said the Apostle Peter (Acts 3:19, NKJV). The Apostle Paul said, “Now [God] commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV).

The Bible commands it, our wickedness demands it, justice requires it, Christ preached it and God expects it. The divine, unalterable edict is still valid: “God commands all men everywhere to repent.”
...(continues, very usefully)
https://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/january-2007/true-repentance-real-change/

 

[gomerian]

Believing however is somewhat passive. We do not believe because we choose to. A blind man who has not seen light before can not understand or even imagine what light is. If he says he believes that light exist and yet does not know what he believes because he does not have any idea or concept of what it is, then in effect, he does not believe it really. But if he is given sight, he’ll realise the difference of darkness and light and it is only then that he is genuinely able to believe that light actually exists. We are all born blind to the truth

"They have known His voice."

"Verily, verily, I say to you, He who is not entering through the door to the fold of the sheep, but is going up from another side, that one is a thief and a robber; and he who is entering through the door is shepherd of the sheep; to this one the doorkeeper doth open, and the sheep hear His voice, and His own sheep He doth call by name, and doth lead them forth; and when His own sheep He may put forth, before them He goeth on, and the sheep follow Him, because they have known His voice; and a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, because they have not known the voice of strangers."(John 10:1-5, YLT)
____________
A man in a tribe of tree-worshippers asks, Who made the tree?