1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Some common questions one may come across in todays world... How can I be saved? How do I know I am saved? Is this person or that person saved? Granted, it is not our duty to be the Judge in deeming some saved and others not. However, Scripture is not silent when it comes to evidences, yes evidences of true salvation. Among many many other tests of true salvation, the book of 1 John gives us one snapshot of a sign of a true believer. The Word says that true believers keep His commandments. In other words, true believers obey Christ. This is not at all to say that in any way shape or form obedience can merit ones salvation, Scripture is clear that salvation is by grace alone through placing ones full faith or belief in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9, John 3:16). However, one question that is of utmost importance is what is genuine belief? Is it enough to merely say I believe, or does something deeper need to take place for true salvation to occur? After all, dont the demons believe (James 2:19)? The Bible says when someone has truly believed in Christ, a transformation takes place. They are a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17), they have been born again (Jn. 3:3), they have been given a new heart of flesh, replacing the heart of stone (Ezek. 36:26)... these are all ways of describing something internal that has occurred in accordance with true belief. And as a result of this, ones life begins to change. Old desires fade away and holy ones arise. An urge within us to obey God and to please Him wells up; not to earn merit toward salvation, but out of gratitude for what Christ has done for us. One mark of a true believer is that because they love Christ, they obey Him. Do you?
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 01:56:20 +0000