How do you know you are saved?

[Disciple Maker]

Is faith in God nothing more then a false hope based upon a fantasy of myths and children?s fairy tales? Should the basis of faith be nothing more than an amalgamation of hundreds of religious beliefs all being equally true and acceptable regardless of their diversity? Or, is faith based upon absolute facts revealing the true character, will and plan of an absolute God? Your answers to these questions reveal whether or not your faith is subjective or objective. There is a critical difference between these two kinds of faith.

The Bible tells us that God wants us to KNOW (with full assurance) that we will spend eternity with Him. Anyone with a basic understanding of the Bible knows that God wants us to know that reality. This fact is basic to the purposes of God?s revelation of Himself to us through the Word of God.

?11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God? (1 John 5:11-13).

There is a philosophical notion known as Pluralism that has come into religious circles in the last 50 years. It says it really does not matter what you believe about God, as long as you believe in God or a god in some form.

Pluralism denotes any metaphysical theory claiming that reality consists of a multiplicity of distinct, fundamental entities. The term was first used by Christian Wolff (1679-1754), and later popularized by William James in The Will to Believe. As a theological term, it refers to the belief that ?god? exists with many different names and within all religions. These religions worship the same ?god,? only using different names and belief systems. These are commonly referred to as different faiths.

For this type of theological Pluralism, doctrine (the teachings of various religions) is secondary (sometimes totally irrelevant) to ?belief? in ?god,? whatever the form or practice that belief system takes. Communion between various faiths is based upon any ground of commonality while ignoring their doctrinal differences. In most cases, the only ground of commonality these faiths possess is belief in a god of some kind. Pluralism is the basis of Ecumenicism.

Originally, Pluralism?s central message was one of TOLERANCE. Of course, true Christians have always believed that people have the right to believe whatever they want to believe. In religious jargon, this kind of tolerance is known as Individual Soul Liberty.

Evangelicals have historically held that all people (believers and unbelievers alike) have God given individual freedom to choose whatever belief system or manner of worship they deem to be Scriptural. In the same sense, it has been understood that God will hold each person individually accountable for the correctness of his/her belief system and worship either at the Judgment Seat of Christ (for believers) or the Great White Throne (for unbelievers). This form of tolerance did not mean that every belief system was to be considered equally correct.

In the last 10 years, a new kind of theological Pluralism has developed. Uniquely, its central characteristic is intolerance of any religion that disagrees with its new tolerance statement. The irrationalism of this philosophy is that there cannot be any absolutes of right or wrong ideas about ?god.? All ideas about ?god? must be acceptable. Of course, this is absurd. The God of the Bible (Judaism and Christianity) claims to be the only God.

?10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. 12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God? (Isaiah 43:10-12).

?6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. 7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. 8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any? (Isaiah 44:6-8).

?5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else? (Isaiah 45:5-6).

?Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me? (Hosea 13:4).

?12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: 13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God? (Exodus 34:12-14).

?4 For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens? (Psalm 96:4-5).

?4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him? (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

This new theological Pluralism demands that we must not say that anyone else?s belief is inferior or mistaken. To say that someone is wrong in his or her theological beliefs is to be intolerant. This ?intolerant? person is labeled as close-minded, provincial, extreme, fanatical and impossible to reason with. The hypocrisy of this is that the person making such a claim is doing what he/she accuses other people of doing. The fact is, simply believing something to be true does not make it true.

This philosophy has become so widely accepted that, if you are one of those few people who believe there is only one way to heaven, you are accused of bigotry. If that is true, Jesus Christ was a bigot. Jesus said, ?I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me? (John 14:6). Therefore, to believe in the rational of Pluralism is the same as unbelief in the teachings of Jesus.

The Apostles confirmed this message and boldly proclaimed it at the risk of their lives. Therefore, to believe in the rational of Pluralism is the same as unbelief in the teaching of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and a rejection of the inspiration of the Scriptures.

?10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved? (Acts 4:10-12).

If theological Pluralism is true, Jesus the Christ cannot be a Christian, because He taught against it. If Pluralism is true, none of the Apostles can be Christians, because they all taught contrary to it. How serious these issues are to us will depend upon how real our belief system (faith) is. If what Jesus and His Apostles said is true, we need to be very sure our belief system is in perfect alignment with what they taught, because our faith must be OBJECTIVE, not SUBJECTIVE.

?21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity? (Matthew 7:21-23).

Objective faith means that there are some specific things we MUST believe about Who Jesus is and WHAT He has done. There are also some things we cannot believe in or trust in. We cannot just believe IN Him or ABOUT Him. That is subjective faith.

1. We CANNOT trust in our own moral goodness (MORALISM).

?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? (Galatians 2:16).

2. We CANNOT trust in any religious ritual

?2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. . . 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (Galatians 5:2-4 and 9).

3. Our faith MUST rest in the ?finished? Cross-work of Jesus Christ and what that Cross-work accomplished for us (and nothing else). ANYTHING else ?leaveneth the whole lump,? meaning it corrupts the faith we profess to possess.

4. We must believe we are sinners deserving Hell.

5. We must REPENT of sin, Moralism and/or ANY religious ritual we might be trusting in.

6. We must believe that God?s wrath upon our sin has been satisfied in the death and shed blood of Jesus Christ.

7. We must respond in faith by calling out to Jesus to save us, confessing Him as Lord.

?9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation? (Romans 10:9-10).

That is what an OBJECTIVE faith is all about. That is what the Bible talks about when it talks about being SAVED THROUGH FAITH (Ephesians 2:8-9). When that is the kind of faith you have, God promises He will SAVE YOU (Romans 10:13).

[Disciple Maker]

Don't confuse discipleship with salvation. Anyone saved will be completely saved - Justification is instantaneous; the process is sanctification; the end result is glorification. The first one saves us from the penalty of sin; the second the power of sin; the third the presence of sin.

You are correct. Salvation and discipleship are two separate issues and two separate decisions.

[Jerry]

Good stuff, brother Lance! Thanks for the clear post.

[Madeline]

John 10:28 and Romans 4:8 makes a clear presentation of certainty that true sheep or believers possess eternal life and there is nothing (no sin) that can separate them from Christ (grammatically these two passages are inescapable). There are clarification (holy living) passages, not justification (our position in Christ) passages. Many confused those two concepts - sanctification is a life long process of being conformed daily to Christ (some times we are victorious and sometimes we are not). When we disobey God disciplines us, as with our human parents. Whereas Justification happens once in our life, where God "declares" us righteous, nothing can change that. When we believe, we are justified, our status in life changes from pagan/unregenerate to a regenerate "made alive" person. Justification does not change us inwardly; rather it changes our status BEFORE GOD. Whereas sanctification changes us inwardly, it is a daily process. For salvation is a past present and future reality. We have been saved, we are now saved and we will be glorified or saved at the end where our body of sin is finally done away with That is the certainty of salvation (Rom. 8:29,30).

Love,
Madeline

[Kenny5682]

1 John has a lot of verses that will tell you if you're saved.

I completely agree. Too many Christians are teaching the doctrine of security when it comes to 1st John, but they fail to teach the doctrine of assurance.

The overall message of 1st John isn't "You ARE saved because you confessed Christ, and now are eternally secure." People who teach that end up blinding false converts.

The overall message of 1st John is that if you walk in darkness, yet profess Christ; you are a liar. However, if you no longer walk in darkness; but walk in Christ... your profession is true and THEN you can be secure.

[Disciple Maker]

I completely agree. Too many Christians are teaching the doctrine of security when it comes to 1st John, but they fail to teach the doctrine of assurance.

The overall message of 1st John isn't "You ARE saved because you confessed Christ, and now are eternally secure." People who teach that end up blinding false converts.

The overall message of 1st John is that if you walk in darkness, yet profess Christ; you are a liar. However, if you no longer walk in darkness; but walk in Christ... your profession is true and THEN you can be secure.

AMEN! Read I John and underline every time the word "if" is used.

Assurance can only be found when the if's are satisfied.

[Carlos]

I completely agree. Too many Christians are teaching the doctrine of security when it comes to 1st John, but they fail to teach the doctrine of assurance.

The overall message of 1st John isn't "You ARE saved because you confessed Christ, and now are eternally secure." People who teach that end up blinding false converts.

The overall message of 1st John is that if you walk in darkness, yet profess Christ; you are a liar. However, if you no longer walk in darkness; but walk in Christ... your profession is true and THEN you can be secure.

Amen!

[pablo]

:clap:

this topic is good and extremely helpful for the the newly saved Christians like me.

please keep the ball rolling

:thumb

[heartstrings]

How do I know? Because I passed from death to life
Jhn 5:24