Okay, am I saved or not?

[mesue]

... How can you possibly say Hitler or anyone can continue to murder and still go to heaven?

Hi Cryatal, I came over here from Emma's because you were distressed, and I don't like to see my friends distressed.
But actually, Where is correct in saying

If Adolf Hilter, even after World War Two, and killing all of those Jews...if he believed that Jesus died for His sins and rose again...Hitler would be in Heaven. Hitler could even CONTINUE to murder people and still go to heaven...as long as he believed in Jesus.

1 John 1:9 is still in the Bible
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It doesn't list exceptions to this, like "except for mass murder"
Paul said in Romans:
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

If Hitler truly was saved and then continued to murder he would have to answer to God
Paul explains this in I Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Corinthians 3:13: Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Corinthians 3:14: If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:15: If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Everything we do on earth (our works) is considered wood, hay, stubble - stuff that burns. Works like cleaning an old lady's house then bragging about it. Or boasting about how much money you put in the collection plate at church. These are good deeds, but God is not glorified by this.
or
gold, silver or precious stone- stuff that doesn't burn, like not bragging about the ministries you do at church, or giving God the glory when someone admires something about you. All of our works will be tried by fire. Our reward is what is left when the fire goes out.
This trying by fire your works is only for those who confessed Jesus Christ as their Savior. If Hitler confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior he would go through this judgement too. He'd still get to go to Heaven, his reward would be very small.
I know it doesn't sound fair. It took me a long time to accept this, especially because I work in a maximum security prison and know that if one of these baby rapping murders accepts Jesus Christ as Savior then he is my brother.
Read Matthew 20:1-16, this might help.

 

[Andre]

Bottom line is Repent, turn to Christ, ask Him for forgivness and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit and guide you, give your life to Him and just watch the changes in your life come as a result of that. Keep reading His word so you can also get spiritual food, you need it just as much as food or water, If you've done that you have nothing to worry about!

Salvation results in works, works don't result in salvation.

God bless!!!

 

[Angelajt]

The bible also says we will know them by thier fruit. If someone confesses with their mouth that they are saved, but have not fruit....which is a by-product...you have to wonder...is it a head knowledge or a heart knowledge.... The way to answer this is easy....test.....

If Jesus says preach the gospel because you believe.....do you preach because you are moved to or because you feel guilty if you don't say Jesus at least a couple of times during the week....

If Jesus says you can lay hands on the sick and they will recover....do you say I can't do that because I'm too shy or do you do it.....Faith is an action not a word....

The bible says if your brother is hungry and naked and you pray for him but don't give for his need....you lie to yourself......

Faith is a heart issue, not a mind or emotion issue. If faith is in your heart you will be compeled to do good. you don't do good good to feel good about being a christian....you do good because you are...
Faith without works is dead....but faith by your works is a lie....

 

[Where]

Lol,
Thank you for clearing up my thoughts mesue. Sometimes it is hard for people to understand what I mean. So thank you for...interpreting...i guess

 

[mle]

We are saved by grace through faith and the bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

[Starcrystal]

Mle,
We are saved by grace through faith and the bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Thats short and strait to the point. Amen!

 

[Angelajt]

We are saved by grace through faith and the bible says to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Philip. 2:12-13 (KJV)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The above text is usually taken out of context so please let me show you what the Lord revealed to me. We know that we are to trust in the work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. It is by this trust we are saved.....if however we try to work out our own salvation....we need to do so with fear and trembling beacuse it isn't by faith but by working ourselves..........But, if you finish the scripture it says it is God who works in you to both do and will his good pleasure. And we know by scripture that without faith it is impossible to please God.

So don't work on your own salvation....Jesus already did....fear not.....Believe Only...

Much love,
Angela

 

[CrystalA_grl]

I meant that God wants us to be separate from sin, not that we can do things to earn salvation. I know nothing we do on our own can help get closer to salvation. The way I'cve heard it preached is "works by faith."

 

[Angelajt]

I meant that God wants us to be separate from sin, not that we can do things to earn salvation. I know nothing we do on our own can help get closer to salvation. The way I'cve heard it preached is "works by faith."

This wasn't meant as a derrogatory statement toward you Crystal. Most people have a few hang ups when it comes to scripture...this particular passage was a burden to my last pastor's wife. I prayed about it and this is what the Lord revealed to me. So please don't take it personally, I really like to give God the best possible presentation in scripture because of how most people twist it.

 

[Faithful83]

Okay, so, as I believed when I became saved, all I must do is believe and have faith. That is what is largely being said on this thread and is what God is telling me.

I just struggle with the "they will know you by your fruits" thing. I have a lot to change. A lot. I know God can and will change those things in me but how will others know I'm a Christian before such changes occur?

 

[Angelajt]

Okay, so, as I believed when I became saved, all I must do is believe and have faith. That is what is largely being said on this thread and is what God is telling me.

I just struggle with the "they will know you by your fruits" thing. I have a lot to change. A lot. I know God can and will change those things in me but how will others know I'm a Christian before such changes occur?

It doesn't matter if others know...It matters that you know..The opinion and esteem of others is not important...Does an apple tree have to try to bear apples...no, when it is small and undeveloped you will not see any apples...but it is none the less still an apple tree. Let your love guide you.

I love the little winkie dude.

 

[UnhandledException]

The one that believed did not speak in tongues and was not baptised in water. Yet Jesus said he will be saved on that same day.

End of argument..full stop.
If you want to know the truth for yourself, without any doubt or confusion, then build your personal relationship with God and allow Him to show you ALL truth.
For when God shows you something, not one person or thing will be able to convince you otherwise.
Your faith will be unshakeable.

Amen.

 

[Starcrystal]

Faithful83,

I just struggle with the "they will know you by your fruits" thing. I have a lot to change. A lot. I know God can and will change those things in me but how will others know I'm a Christian before such changes occur?

Here's where the Holy Spirit does work in our lives. Fruit has to GROW. It doesn't appear instantaneously on a tree, neither does it appear instantaneously in our lives, at least not in full bloom. Some people are able to be conformed to Christ in a relatively short time, others take more time to reach what is called "Christian maturity" (I personally beleive we are never fully mature.)
Trust & have faith in Jesus to do the work in you. He will give you the desires of your heart. That verse from Psalm 37 actually has two meanings: One is that God gives us the desires we seek in accordance with his will. This is applied in prayer, and is the interpretation most use. The second meaning is that God will put HIS DESIRES in our hearts, so that the desires of our heart are a gift from God, and are in perfect alignment with his will.....

 

[Starcrystal]

Hey Angelajt, I see that another girl has chosen the same avatar my wife did.

I don't see him around too much, then again my avie I see even less. Of course its hard to tell with 33,000+ members.

 

[Angelajt]

Hey Angelajt, I see that another girl has chosen the same avatar my wife did.

I don't see him around too much, then again my avie I see even less. Of course its hard to tell with 33,000+ members.

Yes I picked that picture because of an artist that paints Jesus like that...I like this artists work and I don't know if it is the same guy or differnt...

 

[CrystalA_grl]

Angelajt, I didn't take it that way.

 

[Dap 19]

First of all I hope I'm doing this right. It's my first time posting in this forum. You know I've never been immerst in water and I've never spoken in tongues either, but I have been baptised with the Holy Ghost. I've been a born again Christian for about 20 years now and certainly not going to let anyone tell me different. Immersion in water usally indicates what religion you follow or what church. Take your time choosing. God says that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of Heaven. So I'm not perfect. So you're not perfect. But I don't think God expects us to be. This is the time of faith, not works and God tells us that he will work in our lives and change us to his liking accordenly. On his terms. Surely you've told God of your confusion? If not, do so and he will speak to you and you will understand. So many people have so many different oppinions of the Bible and what it is saying. Some make sense, some don't and God will guide you and let you know what is and what isn't. Have faith in that. Dap

Okay, this is something that is starting to frustrate me. I'm sorry but I'm confused.

I keep hearing that to be saved, repent, believe Jesus died and rose for your sins, ask for forgiveness of sins, confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead, ask Christ into your heart/life etc. That basically, nothing but the blood of Christ can wash away your sins.

According to that, yes I am saved.

I also keep hearing that "ask Jesus into your heart" is nowhere in the Bible, that baptism by full immersion in water is essential for the washing away of sins, that speaking in tongues is also essential...the list goes on.

In that regards, I am not saved.

To make matters worse, both sides bring forth scriptures to support their views and accuse the other side of misrepresenting/misusing/etc. the scriptures they bring forth, making such an critical issue, to say the least, confusing.

How do I know the truth? I'd like to think I can go to scripture and come to the truth, but it seems that whatever truth I come to, someone will come along and say: "oh don't misquote that scripture, look at this scripture...that's where the truth is." and then have someone else then say "oh no that person is the one who's misquoting scripture...look at the original scripture."

It's like you're trying to find the truth about how to be saved, but you end up at in the middle of a tug-of-war between two groups of people who tell you that their way is God's way and the other way is man's way.

So, am I saved or not?

 

[Angelajt]

First of all I hope I'm doing this right. It's my first time posting in this forum. You know I've never been immerst in water and I've never spoken in tongues either, but I have been baptised with the Holy Ghost. I've been a born again Christian for about 20 years now and certainly not going to let anyone tell me different. Immersion in water usally indicates what religion you follow or what church. Take your time choosing. God says that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of Heaven. So I'm not perfect. So you're not perfect. But I don't think God expects us to be. This is the time of faith, not works and God tells us that he will work in our lives and change us to his liking accordenly. On his terms. Surely you've told God of your confusion? If not, do so and he will speak to you and you will understand. So many people have so many different oppinions of the Bible and what it is saying. Some make sense, some don't and God will guide you and let you know what is and what isn't. Have faith in that. Dap

Hi Dap, you did fine. According to the gospel you are perfect in Christ by faith. The immersion in water is a symbolism that you have died to yourself and your own desires and when you come up you now let Christ live through you. I know it's not required for salvation, but those that the Holy Spirit leads to get baptized eventually will. It took me 6 years after getting born again....although the Holy Spirit was leading me right after I was born again....I chose not to because I didn't want to and didn't think it was necessary. I eventually did when i had surrendered all to Jesus, and it wasn't just a get out of hell fee card..

p.s I was actually baptized in the Holy Ghost and Spoke in tongues right after I got saved 6 years before water baptisim

 

[mle]

Philip. 2:12-13 (KJV)

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

The above text is usually taken out of context so please let me show you what the Lord revealed to me. We know that we are to trust in the work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. It is by this trust we are saved.....if however we try to work out our own salvation....we need to do so with fear and trembling beacuse it isn't by faith but by working ourselves..........But, if you finish the scripture it says it is God who works in you to both do and will his good pleasure. And we know by scripture that without faith it is impossible to please God.

So don't work on your own salvation....Jesus already did....fear not.....Believe Only...

Much love,
Angela

Angela, thank you for your post. It has caused me to be thoughtful.

God hates works but loves work. Sometimes we have to work toward a goal and if that goal is to be more like Jesus than great. We all have choices every day and sometimes choosing God's way is not easy. If in ones heart they are trying to save themself through good behaiour or service it is not pleasing to God. On the other hand putting ones flesh into subjection because of love(fear) of God is pleasing to God and that sometimes takes work.

 

[Angelajt]

Angela, thank you for your post. It has caused me to be thoughtful.

God hates works but loves work. Sometimes we have to work toward a goal and if that goal is to be more like Jesus than great. We all have choices every day and sometimes choosing God's way is not easy. If in ones heart they are trying to save themself through good behaiour or service it is not pleasing to God. On the other hand putting ones flesh into subjection because of love(fear) of God is pleasing to God and that sometimes takes work.

Very good. It is always my pleasure to reveal God's heart to his children.

You are blessed and going in the right direction. Let no one tell you that your not a chritian because of something you did in the flesh. God is still working on us all.