How do you tell the difference between wanting and believeing?

[seekingsomething]

My question is this, as someone who is activly seeking God and willing to give their life to him; How do you know you are saved? I mean I can experience overwhelming senses of wanting God and feeling closer to him, I believe that Jesus did die for our sins and faced up to death and overcame it by rising on the third day, but does that mean Im saved?

 

[Rafael]

You know you are saved because you trust God's promises. When you go to work all week, you expect a paycheck at the end of that week by faith - faith is the evidence of things unseen. You worked for something all week without even seeing it. Having faith in God's promise to save you is similar. We have wonderful promises if we believe and obey God's Word. Read your Bible and believe what it says about what we are supposed to do and what Gpd does for us in His love.

Your confession seems right to me, because you have confessed faith Jesus before us all here at the forum. Keep on growing in God's grace, and learn how to trust Him for everything in this life. Praise God for your confession!

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

[tinkerbell]

My question is this, as someone who is activly seeking God and willing to give their life to him; How do you know you are saved? I mean I can experience overwhelming senses of wanting God and feeling closer to him, I believe that Jesus did die for our sins and faced up to death and overcame it by rising on the third day, but does that mean Im saved?

The Bible is filled with SO many texts that talk of this very thing. The only requirements for salvation are as followed: Love the Lord, accept His gift of salvation.

 

[drdeancrosby]

Actually there's a great difference between wanting and believing.It's very easy to want a new car for instance,but rather hard to believe that the money to buy it will suddenly appear in your bank account.Similarly,i's easy to want eternal life but hard to believe some of the claims of Christianity until you take all the necessary steps required for salvation.
What are the necessary steps?Well first read the New Testament to see if you really want to get into this.Jesus said it's better to have no faith at all instead of a lukewarm faith which alot of Christians have.Alot of people aren't cut out for Christianity.That's why Jesus said that many would be called but few chosen for admission to heaven.For instance Jesus commands us to love our enemies.But alot of people would prefer to just go over to Iraq and kill them.Take you pick.
If you do choose heaven over hell,then it's necessary to contact God and let Him know of your decision.That's the easy part.You don't even need to turn on your computer.Just find a room where you can be alone and talk to God.Tell Him that you accept Jesus as your savior because you believe in His teachings.And ask God to forgive you of your sins which you should name.That's important.You don't want any more guilt do you?
Next step - water baptism ceremony.This is easy enough to schedule at any church.Some churches require people to show up for a few classes first to teach them some basic information about Christianity.But don't worry they won't say anything to offend you.Churches try not to offend people.That's why they are welcoming homosexuals.They are trying to make them feel accepted before God sends them to hell just has He has promised to do.
Now It Gets Hard Step - The bible makes it very clear that God will not forgive us unless we forgive those who have harmed us.You've got to be joking!How can I possibly do that?Fortunately the final step necessary for salvation will take care of this automatically but you should try to do it on your own first through prayer and by separating yourself physically and mentally from those who abuse you.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-9) is a requirement for salvation and is the last step.It's God's way of stamping your passport to heaven.There is no church ceremony for this one.It comes only through prayer and living a spiritual lifestyle.When you receive it,you will feel that you are in a personal relationship with God and it will be alot easier for you to follow Jesus' teachings.You're going to want to follow the commandment to REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY instead of spending an hour in church and four hours in the afternoon watching a sadistic ball game.
I had no idea it was this hard!But then again,it's to gain permanent eternal citizenship in the kingdom of God so I guess it's worth the hassle.The good news is you don't have to go through an embarrasing body search at the airport to get into this kingdom.Christians aren't even required to take off their shoes.Only Muslims have to take off their shoes to get where they are going.

 

[tinkerbell]

nicely put drdeancrosby

 

[Rafael]

Yes, those are good things to point out DrDean, nevertheless, the first steps of a child is to ask of the only source of life and faith we have through Jesus. Learning to count and continuing in the faith comes with each new day.

 

[theseed]

Yes, it's not what you feel but how you think and believe. Many Christians feel God is distant or they "feel" lost. But in John 3.16 we read that whosoever believes should shall not perish but have everlasting life.

 

[seekingsomething]

I just want to thank all you guys so much for puttin yout time and thoughts into my question. I have to say with each passing day and each moment I spend with God I feel closer and im just hoping that I am able to take that last leap of faith and fully pledge myself to Him. Heres hoping. Thank you guys again x x x

 

[seekingsomething]

I just want to thank all you guys so much for puttin yout time and thoughts into my question. I have to say with each passing day and each moment I spend with God I feel closer and im just hoping that I am able to take that last leap of faith and fully pldege myself to Him. Heres hoping. Thank you guys again x x x

 

[Beanface]

drdeancrosby, that post is absolutely amazing. anyone new to Christ should read that IMO.