Knowing your saved.

[smithaw9027]

I've kind of been bothered by my testimony lately. There was never one time in my life when I know that I "got saved." I grew up in church -Southern Baptist- and at age 5 while laying in bed I prayed for salvation. I didn't want to go to hell. Since that time I've come to a more complete understanding of what it means to be a Christian- a couple of years ago I commited my life to him and I decided to follow Jesus no matter where he led me. With my new understanding I decided to pray again for salvation-just to "make sure." But there has NEVER been one time in my life when I had an experience like I've heard in many testimonies, when people say they come under heavy conviction detesting themselves and crying out desperately for God to save them knowing full well in their heart they don't deserve it. And then God reaching down and giving them joy unspeakable, changing them forever and leaving no doubt about what happened.

Since I made my choice a couple of years ago to follow Christ I committed myself to read the Bible and pray more and try to make Christian choices. I have noticed some slow subtle changes in my character and I would love to believe that those are the fruits of the spirit, but maybe its just the result of my own human efforts. Also, when i talk to God i very rarely feel like I hear from him and I don't feell all that close to God- my relationship with him is not very personal. Still, when I read the Bible it leads me to believe I am indeed saved. Because I rewalized intellectually that I was a sinner, believed in Christ -that he died for me and rose form the dead- and asked for salvation based on his free gift. If that's all a person has to do to be saved-and I think thats what the Bible teaches- then I was saved when I was 5, but if theres something that has to happen to the heart first, a deep feeling conviction of sin (and John 16:8 does say that the Holy spirit will convict the world of sin) and sense of wickedness followed by an instantaneous changing of the heart then I know I'm still lost because that never happened to me. I'm a little bewildered right now so I'd be happy for any advice. My old preacher used to say you have to "know that you know that you know your saved" otherwise your lost. Is that true? Or is it only true that we have to know God's word is true and trust that for assurance of salvation.

 

[jay1_z]

I remember about 10 years ago in my old church I was taught that until you speak in tongues you are not saved. I don't believe this to be true. Once you accepted Christ to be your Lord & Saviour you were saved. If you are doubting your salvation then you need to pray about it. But don't let anyone else tell you that you are not saved. You may realize this next point but I'm going to say it anyway. Conviction does not equal guilt. That was another thing that was taught to me a long time ago. If your pastor is teaching you this then you need to find another sheperd. God does not want us to feel guilty about our past sins. They are justified through Christ.

 

[rockwell]

The bible says that you have to first believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe that He died for you and was raised on the third day and repent from your sins (ask for forgiveness).

If you have prayed this simple prayer "believing it" YIPPEE...you've been born again and the spirit of God lives in you.

Down the track if you do something bad or sin the spirit of God will NOT leave you until you repent or anything like that. You will still go to heaven too (although it's better to repent)


Now about...

"know that you know that you know your saved" otherwise your lost. Is that true? Or is it only true that we have to know God's word is true and trust that for assurance of salvation.

Salvation is a gift and there is nothing you can do to earn it. It's all done by grace and not by works... Your spirit will later on guide you to know God's word more in depth and pray more and fast, etc

 

[Blessed-one]

but if theres something that has to happen to the heart first, a deep feeling conviction of sin (and John 16:8 does say that the Holy spirit will convict the world of sin) and sense of wickedness followed by an instantaneous changing of the heart then I know I'm still lost because that never happened to me.

please, know that many christians don't have 'great' testimonies. God works differently in different people. I don't have a dramatic testimony either, but all the little things that have accumulated over the years still serve to convince me when i have doubts. See His work on you and see that as proof of God being with you. Your change in character.. was that human effort? well, why did you have the change in the first place? because you read the bible, and what is the bible? the Word of God. so there you go.

as for 'conviction of sin', i think i've been convicted many times and no, i did not cry much, but i felt the impact nevertheless. Are "small" convictions over the years not counted as the work of the Holy Spirit? don't think so.

 

[Rafael]

Keep seeking the Lord and don't compare your walk with other's opinions. You only need the Word of God applied to you in life by His Holy Spirit. Just reading His Words imparts life to you if you are prayerful and asking.

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

It is a growth process that takes your entire life, and the blessings of what you sew as a young person will be harvested in your later years - so don't give up or fall into unbelief because God doesn't come down and tap your shoulder. He will develope faith and patience in you (which is also one of those fruits of the Spirit). God will keep you if you have submitted yourself to Him. Wait on Him and you will mount up on the wings of an eagle, run and not be weary - if you keep yourself Holy, unto Him, His servant. Hang in there, for the journey will unfold day by day, precept by precept, and the feelings will grow too as you grow in His grace.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

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.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2 Timothy 2:11-13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

 

[California Dreamin']

thanks for sharing your story.
age 5 that is incredible.
my dad left when i was 6, he had to get divorced due to medical reasons. (bad for me growing up). anyway, my mom and dad i would say were strong Christians before this.
my mom and i did not go to church after.
in grade 9 there was a christian fellowship group at school. i didn't start going to it until grade 11. but in grade 9 i went online and researched, prayed for salvation and everything. took the bible out of the library and everything.
grade 11 i went to the group, went to EVERY meeting, every lunch hour on Thursdays. i was asked to give a speech at a university about my experience and i had one night to prepare, to give it the next day. it went great. my mom was finally starting to be supportive. she got re-married and everything... the summer before grade 11 started, much more supportive of my christian walk.
after that speech, i was asked to be the student leader during grade 12 of that christian fellowship group. and here i am today...

 

[KleinerApfel]

Hello smithaw9207

Sometimes those really amazing testimonies, supernatural experiences, and sudden dramatic changes at conversion seem to happen where someone's previous lifestyle has been very dark or troubled, or they've been really anti-God up to then.

On the other hand, those brought up in even a nominally Christian or church-influenced home, with a generally law-abiding and peaceable life, such as you and I, may experience more gradual changes - building on those good foundations which we have been blessed with in our early life.

There are exceptions of course, but as a rule of thumb it seems to me that this happens.

The fact you were saved as a l,ittle child is something to be thankful for - you have lived most of your life under the protection and guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Of course you look back and think "ah, but I didn't understand everything fully at that young age."
But none of us ever does, until we see Him face to face in heaven. We keep on learning (if we're willing and open), all through life.

In the coming weeks, months, and years, you'll find yourself saying "gosh, how could I not have understood "X" before - it's so clear to me now!"
(Or at least, that's what I'v found!)

Enjoy the journey as God leads you through. God bless, Susana

 

[artybloke]

i believe that there something more powerful out there that guides our lives but how we know its god.

What else would you call it? Pressed beef?



By the way, it is possible to believe that the Bible tells us the truth about God without taking every bit of it literally. I do.

 

[Bonhoffer]

can i just say, how the hell do any of us even know if our lord jesus christ and the heavenly father even exist.

Because I know God personally just like i know my heavenly father. The idea of being born-again is so that we can have a relationship with God.

In a sense I do see Him. Not literally so i could draw a picture, but I have seen Him. I've also been physically touched a few times too.