Okay, am I saved or not?

[Bartimaeus]

Faithful83, You are not saved because you say a sinners prayer or because you get baptized or speak in tongues.

You are saved because sombody told you that Jesus took your place and gave you his and you believed it.

Therfore it is not based on weather you feel saved or not or weather you sin or not. Sin was taken care of by Jesus once for all people for all sins, past, present and future.

Now, the bible says that those who put their trust in Jesus Christ are saved. PERIOD.

NOTHING ADDED NOTHING TAKEN. so if you believe what the bible tells you there, than let nothing change your mind. Even satan uses scripture to torment and accuse, but those in Christ hold on to that which is pure and true. Don't worry about doing....Jesus did everything. Go to God and ask him. What can I do for you because of what you did for me. He will tell you, if you do it you will be rewarded, if you don't, Jesus already paid for that sin, but he will still try to lead you in the right direction. The only unpardonable sin is UNBELIEF. That is blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

I hope that helps.

If I am repeating something in a later part of this thread, I apologize in advance. I just feel compelled, even though I don't recall book, chapter and verse, to mention when Christ (Himself) said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father, but through me." (paraphrased)
In other words, Christ is the only way to be saved, and that by faith in Him alone, through grace (God's Riches At Christs' Expense) alone.

 

[Bartimaeus]

Where, I am totally confused by your post. I know the Bible says if we continue to sin we have not known God. I know it talks about that in Romans 6 and First John 3. How can you possibly say Hitler or anyone can continue to murder and still go to heaven? "Where" are you coming from, where? The Bible tells us we have to go and sin no more or a worse thing will happen. We might not be perfect, but I think God requires a little more from us than what you have said. Theres a verse that says, "You beleive in one God, good: the devils also beleive this and tremble." I foerget where that is offhand.

What you say is true, but it is also said (In 1 John 1) that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.


1 John 1

8 ¶If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

[Bartimaeus]

Faithful83,

I've got a good one for you. This is how I came to understand I was truly saved. It's a little long but I can't condense it too much more. Try to picture a young woman sobbing and sniffing and blowing her nose all throughout the discussion. That was me. Tears everywhere. Newly born again and trying to figure it all out.

I was in my prayer chair -sobbing - because I couldn't hear the Lord. I thought that since only His sheep hear His voice - and I couldn't hear his voice - then I must not be saved! Even though I asked him into my heart. I was doomed. Maybe I wasn't chosen before time! Maybe can't be saved!!!

I went through one box of tissues and went to open a second box when I - understood - not heard - understood, "Wait".

This is what He showed me, told me, whatever, I can't describe it really.
He said:
You were like this box of kleenex. Nice on the outside, lots of layers inside, sturdy enough to even use as a foot stool or to prop up books on the shelf. But you were not fulfilling your purpose.
You asked if there was more to life than what you knew.
You called to me and I heard you.
You were stuck inside the box with no way out. It was dark and you could hear things going on outside but you couldn't get out of the box.

So you called to me and I came. You asked me to live in your heart and I do.

I ripped open your world like this: (then was compelled to pulled on the perforations and ripped open the box.)

He said take out one kleenex.
So I did.
He said this is sin - call it smoking. Hold it out in front of you and let it fall.
He said do it again - call this drinking...drop it on the floor. Do it again....
Well this went on for quite a while until I noticed a big pile of kleenex on the floor.
He said -I have exposed you to the light and we will take care of your mess one layer at a time.
This overwhelmed me and I thought - I'll never make it. There are too many kleenexes on the floor! I'm a mess! Maybe I should just go back into the box and hide.
He said -pick up the kleenex and fold them like the were in the box.
Then he said to put them back like they were before.
I said I can't. They will never be the same.
He said "Exactly".
Once I come into your life you will never be the same. You think you can go back but you cannot.

-It won't happen because I won't allow it.

Pick up the kleenex and fold them into a fan. (Yep. Thats what he said.)
Then I made a flower out of the kleenex and he said,
This is you now. My flower. You are not a mess on the floor - you have a purpose and I will make you into that flower.

Okay- I was really crying now but happy tears. Good grief. By the way: He's still pulling kleenex out of the box. They are down deep but He keeps finding them!

Now see if this isn't true in the bible. There are many scriptures that will back up what he told me. Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you...You are the apple of my eye and I love you forever... See what you can find. And if he shows you the blessed assurance of your salvation in an unusual way - please share!

Beat that.

Wow! That story is powerful, amazing, and very true and deep!

Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Bartimaeus]

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?

That will take time and prayer.

You may be thinking, if you're anything like me, "but why?". Well, the thing to remember is that it is God's time, not ours. He knows when to work things out, His plan is far superior to any plan I could hatch. You may not be "perfect", but none of us is. Thatt's why grace exists, because we have alls sinned and fallen short...

 

[Bartimaeus]

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.

Amen. I couldn't have said it better.

And, since you like him so much...

 

[Bartimaeus]

Faithful83,

I've got a good one for you. This is how I came to understand I was truly saved. It's a little long but I can't condense it too much more. Try to picture a young woman sobbing and sniffing and blowing her nose all throughout the discussion. That was me. Tears everywhere. Newly born again and trying to figure it all out.

I was in my prayer chair -sobbing - because I couldn't hear the Lord. I thought that since only His sheep hear His voice - and I couldn't hear his voice - then I must not be saved! Even though I asked him into my heart. I was doomed. Maybe I wasn't chosen before time! Maybe can't be saved!!!

I went through one box of tissues and went to open a second box when I - understood - not heard - understood, "Wait".

This is what He showed me, told me, whatever, I can't describe it really.
He said:
You were like this box of kleenex. Nice on the outside, lots of layers inside, sturdy enough to even use as a foot stool or to prop up books on the shelf. But you were not fulfilling your purpose.
You asked if there was more to life than what you knew.
You called to me and I heard you.
You were stuck inside the box with no way out. It was dark and you could hear things going on outside but you couldn't get out of the box.

So you called to me and I came. You asked me to live in your heart and I do.

I ripped open your world like this: (then was compelled to pulled on the perforations and ripped open the box.)

He said take out one kleenex.
So I did.
He said this is sin - call it smoking. Hold it out in front of you and let it fall.
He said do it again - call this drinking...drop it on the floor. Do it again....
Well this went on for quite a while until I noticed a big pile of kleenex on the floor.
He said -I have exposed you to the light and we will take care of your mess one layer at a time.
This overwhelmed me and I thought - I'll never make it. There are too many kleenexes on the floor! I'm a mess! Maybe I should just go back into the box and hide.
He said -pick up the kleenex and fold them like the were in the box.
Then he said to put them back like they were before.
I said I can't. They will never be the same.
He said "Exactly".
Once I come into your life you will never be the same. You think you can go back but you cannot.

-It won't happen because I won't allow it.

Pick up the kleenex and fold them into a fan. (Yep. Thats what he said.)
Then I made a flower out of the kleenex and he said,
This is you now. My flower. You are not a mess on the floor - you have a purpose and I will make you into that flower.

Okay- I was really crying now but happy tears. Good grief. By the way: He's still pulling kleenex out of the box. They are down deep but He keeps finding them!

Now see if this isn't true in the bible. There are many scriptures that will back up what he told me. Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you...You are the apple of my eye and I love you forever... See what you can find. And if he shows you the blessed assurance of your salvation in an unusual way - please share!

Beat that.

Hey cupbearer!

Can I share this with an e-mail list I belong to? I think it's wonderful!