Tag: Salvation

In This Issue:
Doubt vs. Assurance
How Can I Know I Am Saved
If One Could Get Unsaved…

Volume: 840     January 3, 2022
Theme: Assurance of Salvation

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Doubt vs. Assurance
Bill Brinkworth

The Bible clearly teaches that one cannot lose salvation when saved. Jesus paid for everyone’s sins that have trusted on His sacrifice on Calvary’s cross to cover their iniquities  ― past, present, and future.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29
“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.” I John 5:13  Also: John 6:37, I Corinthians 15:3, Isaiah 53:5.

Although most realize that salvation is a gift from God, some try to add good works to “keep” their salvation. Others often feel their salvation was too “easy” to get and are unsure if they are a child of God.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8

Some go years constantly battling. “Am I saved or not”? “Have I lost it because of something I did or didn’t do?”

Many that have been saved are not assured that they are born-again. Doubts rob them of the joy, peace, and security they could have if they knew for sure that one would eventually be with Jesus. 

God never intended for the rescue of one’s soul from a fiery eternity to be a guessing game. A child of God can know for sure that they are saved and not guess any longer. Doubt can be silenced by believing what the Bible says about it:
Doubt may be unbelief in disguise:
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Mat. 17:20  

Doubt indicates little faith:
“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Mat. 14:31  Also: Mat. 21:21, Mark 11:23.

Doubt makes one unsure and confused:
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” James 1:6

Doubt keeps one from accomplishing all one could:
“And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” Luke 17:6
“And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” Acts 2:12

Doubt sees things inaccurately:  
“And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live” Acts 28:4  The islander’s assumption about Paul was wrong.

Doubt questions:
“I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” Gal. 4:20  
Doubt, however, can be a legitimate red flag of one not being born again. It can be a nagging force to get one to seek what the Bible says one must do to have the assurance of going to Heaven. However, that can be eliminated by simply doing what the Bible says one must do to be saved:

• Know one is a sinner (Rom. 3:16).
• Know that there is an eternal price-tag for your sins (Rom. 6:23).
• Know that Jesus paid for our sins if we trust what he did for us to cover ALL our sins (Rom. 5:23).
• Then with the heartfelt conviction, ask and trust that all one must do is ask (“confess”) Him to save you from the punishment due because of sin.
  “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.” Rom. 10:9

If one believes and trusts what the Bible says, then one must have the faith that they are saved. It is ONLY faith that anyone is saved. 
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Eph. 2:8  Also: Rom. 1:17, 3:28, 5:1, 10:17.

Often, however, after that step of reliance is taken, God will cement that trust into concrete proof. The assured believer will see changes in their thinking and actions (II Corinthians 5:17), answers to prayers, and understanding of things that were not previously clear.

Doubt of one’s salvation will cause a crippled walk with the Lord. It makes one wonder if questioning one’s salvation is another debilitating weapon Satan uses to keep another Christian soldier off the battlefield. However, knowing what the Bible teaches about knowing for sure one is saved can silence the destructive and handicapping doubt:

Assurance comes from one’s confidence in one’s beliefs. If one knows God’s Word is the truth and believes what it says, that should settle the doubts. Further doubts of God’s truth should be barred from one’s thought-life. “God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Then Satan, leave me alone!”
“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 can keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” II Tim. 1:12

Assurance comes from believing what God’s Word says!
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” 1 Corinthians 15:3

Assurance is trust!
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

Assurance is proof of one’s salvation:
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Isa. 32:17

Assurance is proof of one’s faith!
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Heb. 10:22

Assurance makes our beliefs unshakeable and sure.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Heb. 10:23

After being saved, most have their doubts about their deliverance from Hell’s fiery flames and eternal destination with the Lord. There must come the point when one puts their finger on the promises of God and wholly trusts them. That is all anyone ever has. Do you believe what God says about salvation or not?

“Every step toward Christ kills a doubt.  Every thought, word, and deed for Him carries you away from discouragement.”  — Culyer

How Can I Know I Am Saved?
Bill Brinkworth

A person can know if he is saved. If one has trusted in Christ’s death as payment for one’s sins as the only way to Heaven, changes in one’s life will be seen.

Here are some of those new changes:
A NEW belief. A saved person believes differently than he believed before.
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: …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 5:10-13

A NEW interest in God’s people.
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.  Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” I John 3:14-16  The “brethren” are other saved people.

A NEW Master. A saved person is interested in obeying a new Master — God!“Jesus answered them, …  But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:25-29

A NEW Life. A born-again child of God gets a second chance at life. He gets to start over, this time with God’s guidance and help.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor. 5:17

The new life may include things one would never have suspected that he would do, such as reading the Bible, desiring a ministry, being faithful to church attendance, etc.  He will also find he no longer wants to do many of the wrong things he used to do and even has a conviction against doing them.

A NEW Trust. A saved person has a God upon whom he can trust and rely.
“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.” II Tim 1:12

A NEW fruit — NEW behaviors“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts….” Gal. 5:22-25  

When the Spirit of God indwells us, there are some things He wants done in our lives. Those changes that we allow Him to do in us are proofs of our salvation.

“Why didn’t someone tell me I could become a Christian and settle the doubts afterward?” — Harper

If We Could Get Unsaved…
Bill Brinkworth

The Bible teaches that when one is born again (John 3:3) into the family of God, one’s salvation cannot be lost! No one certainly deserves such a wonderful gift as eternal life. It is the gift God gives to those that trust Christ’s payment was enough for their sins.

Many, however, fear they can lose their salvation. Logically, this makes little sense. If one really could lose their salvation, it would mean that:

Jesus did not die for all my sins. We know Jesus did die for all our sins: the sins of our great-great-grandfather, our sins, and our great-grandchildren. The iniquities Christ paid for on the cross were for all our trespasses. That includes the trespasses against God we did before we were saved, the ones that we will commit today, and the ones we will do next year — all iniquity!
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” 1 Corinthians 15:3
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus’ payment for sin was not enough for the trespasses we did today. If one believes they can lose their salvation, then they imply that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was not sufficient to cover sins.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
“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.” Romans 10:9
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25 Also: I Corinthians 15:3.

His death was in vain. If one believes that Jesus’ death alone was not enough to save them, then His death on the cross was unnecessary and for naught! However, the Bible says:
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Timothy 1:9

They are doing something to keep their salvation. Opinions of this nature usually follow with thoughts of doing good things to earn or keep their salvation. God’s Word says:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 

Then God is a liar! If one thinks they can lose their salvation, they prove that they do not believe what God’s Word says about receiving eternal salvation. They would be implying He is a liar. Perish the thought. It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). God’s Word says:
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

“Whoso draws nigh to God one step through doubtings dim, God will advance a mile in blazing light to him.” — Unknown

In This Issue:
Godly Sight
The Great Transformation
The Most Wonderful Plant
Earthly Changes Are Not the New Birth
A New Captain

Volume: 798    February 22, 2021
Theme: A Great Transformation

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Godly Sight
 Bill Brinkworth

It had been a long time since the older woman had been considered “legally blind.”  Many years ago, the sight had totally gone in her left eye, and slowly the right eye’s vision deteriorated.  In the last few years, all she could see from the right were some shadows and outlines.

When a doctor told her that surgery might improve what she saw out of the right eye, she hesitated.  She remembered how previous medical attempts removed the left eye’s sight completely. Still, she pondered the surgery and soon gave her approval.  The day of the operation found her being wheeled down to surgery.

After the surgeon’s work was complete, and she awoke from the anesthesia, the bandages were slowly removed.  It was not long until she opened her eyes to see color, then as her right eye came into focus, she could see details.  She saw what the doctor looked like as he explained what had occurred.  She saw the room’s decor, the chairs, her daughter, and the papers that were clipped to the doctor’s clipboard.  The one eye could once again see.  Her world differed greatly from what it had been previously.

As she continued to scan the room, she saw one thing that she did not like. In the room’s mirror, the senior saw her image and the wrinkles time put on her face.  When she last saw her reflection, all she had seen was youthful, smooth skin.  Now, her observation was different. She saw the real her, not what only her hands felt, and could “show” her.

Likewise, a person’s spiritual understanding is different when they get saved (John 3:16).  Many of the things they were involved in previously now appeared different. What was then “normal” and done by many is currently seen as the Saviour sees it.  A realization of sinfulness and guilt is felt when that activity is even considered.

Lies that used to be a quick defense for getting out of trouble now bring a guilty feeling when they are uttered. Watching many television programs now bring shame to one’s heart, as those shows are now realized to be obscene and ungodly. The obscenities spoken on the same programs are no longer funny but are now perceived as “filthy.”  Some are even recognized as mocking or blaspheming the Saviour.

Habits and other activities that were performed for many years are now felt as “inappropriate” and certainly not exhibiting good Christian behavior. Much of what was done, said, and seen is now frowned upon after being “born again.”

This transformed vision and understanding come with the “new birth” (John 3:3). It is part of the attitude and inward change that happens when one is saved.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” II Cor. 5:17.

The “new creature” in a saved child of God has a new mind that perceives their condition differently.  It is the mind that thinks similarly to Christ: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” I Cor. 2:16 (Also: I Cor 1:10, Philippians 1:27).

Although many claim to be Christians, few see any changes in their thinking processes or behavior.  They see no difference in their lives after a profession of being saved.  That is not what the Bible tells us happens to a person when they get saved.  They should think differently, and their lives should change. Perhaps, they have a profession without possession.

If you claim to be saved, has there ever been a time in your life where your “vision” was changed?  Do you see your life and the world around you differently?  After being born again, did you see the “wrinkles” of your own sin’s depravity?  Did the sight of how you were thinking and living shock you enough that you wanted to change your lifestyle and follow God’s direction?  Is your spiritual life different than it ever was?  Are you saved?

If you are not sure you are saved and have no one to talk to about this matter, please e-mail me at brinkworth@frontier.com.

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.
Was blind, but now, I see!”
— From “Amazing Grace” by John Newton (1725-1807)

The Great Transformation
C. H. Spurgeon

I know a village, perhaps once the most profane in England.  It was a village inundated by drunkenness and debauchery of the worst kind.  An honest traveler could not stop in the public house without being annoyed by blasphemy.  It was also a place noted for robbers.

One man, the ringleader of them all, listened to the voice of God and got saved. That man’s heart was broken. The entire gang then came to hear the Gospel preached, and they sat and listened to the preacher and believed what he taught from the Word of God. These men became changed and reformed.  Everyone who knows the place affirms that such a change had never been wrought but by the power of the Holy Ghost.

“No one should disregard a faith that can make sinful men good!”
— Author Unknown

The Most Wonderful Plant
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

A man had a garden that produced nothing but weeds. One day, he got some seeds from a rare plant of which he had heard wonderful stories.  

He sowed a handful of the seed in his overgrown garden and let it work its way. He slept and rose and knew not how the seed was growing until one day, he opened the gate and saw a sight that astounded him.

He knew that the seed would produce a dainty flower, and he looked for it, but he had little imagined that the plant would cover the entire garden as it did. The flower exterminated  every weed.  As he looked from one end to the other, from wall to wall, he could see nothing but the fair colors of that rare plant and could smell nothing but its delicious perfume.

Christ is like that plant. If He is sown in the soil of your soul, He will gradually eat out the roots of all ill weeds and poisonous plants and “turn under” your old nature.  All that will be seen will be Christ in you.

Earthly Changes Are Not the New Birth
John Bate

A man may pass from the lowest ignorance unto the highest intelligence.  Degraded poverty may be exchanged for the most exalted riches.  A person may come out of the greatest obscurity into the largest publicity.  He may rise from the narrowest circle of influence into the widest sphere of power.  He may pass from one extreme to another in all things, be they moral, intellectual, political, social, and civil changes.

However, through all those changes, he may keep his innate bias to do evil, have an aversion to doing good, and continue to be a stranger to the new-birth as it exists in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  No earthly change can substitute for the changes that only come from Above when one is saved.

“Deathbed repentance is burning the candle of life in the devil’s service and then blowing the smoke into the face of God.”  — Billy Sunday

A New Captain
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

There was a poor man about sixty years old.  He had been a rough sailor, one of the worst men in the village.  It was his custom to drink, and he seemed to be delighted when he was cursing and swearing.  He came into a church one Sunday and heard preaching about Jesus weeping over Jerusalem.

The man thought, “Why did Jesus Christ ever weep over such a wretch as I am?” He thought he was too bad for Christ to care for him.

At last, he came to the preacher and said, “Sir, sixty years have I been sailing under the standard of the devil.  It is time I should have a new owner. I want to scuttle the old ship and sink her altogether! Then, I shall have a new owner, and I shall sail under the colors of Prince Jesus.”

Ever since that moment, that man has been a praying man and has walked before God in all sincerity. Yet, he was the very last man you would have thought would be saved and converted.  Somehow God does not choose just the “best” men.  He will also take the filthiest and the vilest and fashion them into glorious beings, making them saints. Whereas they were sinners, He then sanctifies them and makes them holy.

Articles in this Bible View: “Unbiblical Beliefs,” “The Christian’s Ruby Ring,” “No Promise of Tomorrow,” “Just As I Am,” “Only Jesus Can Save!”
Theme: Salvation

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Articles in this Bible View: “Saved for Sure!” “Salvation, Not by Good Deeds, ” Faith and Reason,” “Salvation by Faith and Grace”
Theme: Eternal Security

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Articles in this Bible View: “Are You Really Sure?” “Windblown Christians,” “Let Them Know”
Theme: Eternal Security
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