How do you know for sure?

[StogusMaximus]

I believe that Jesus was without sin, and that he died on a cross for me. I go to church every Sunday and I try to read my Bible when I can.

Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.

How do you know for sure that you are saved?

[Mandy]

1 John 5:12-13
He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life.
These things I have written unto you who 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.

We can know, because we know that God is faithful and that His promises are true.
And His promise is that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Just continue to seek God's face and do your best in His strength to live for Him.

I know exactly how you feel. I went through the same thing and I think the important thing is that we simply wait on Him and trust Him to lead us. If He is truly leading us then we will be doing what He would have us to do.

[Blackhawk]

Stogus,

This is really weird but we talked about this in Sunday school last sunday. My teacher read a portion of one of Spurgeon's books. He said that you know you are saved if you fear God.

deut 29:19 When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, "I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way."

If this is what you think then be worrried but if you fear God kind of like you did your parents when you were a child then Spurgeon said that you are saved. So in a way you being truly concerned about God and your salvation proves that you are saved.

blackhaw6

[StogusMaximus]

blackhaw6,

I am so thankful for you. More than once you have responded to a post of mine, or have said something that has truly touched me. I have never heard that explanation before, and I do find comfort in it.

Thanks and God bless you.

[Blackhawk]

Stogus,

Thanks but it was not me. It was Spurgeon's words mostly and more importantly it was God. God does all. I just let Him do it sometimes. If I could only let my pride go away.

blackhaw6

[LuckyCharm]

I've been meaning to reply to this ever since I saw it this morning, but had to wait till my lunch hour.

A passage from 1 John 3 comes to mind with this question:

19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God

It doesn't depend on what our "hearts" tell us, although it is wonderful when our hearts do indeed manage to grasp the reality of our salvation. But when they don't, we just need to remember that God is greater than our hearts.

Peace,

Cheryl

[JohnR7]

God's Holy Spirit will tell us where we are at with God. If we feel something is missing, we should seek after God for it.

[Blackhawk]

Lucky charm,

Great post. Scripture always says things best. We can have full confidence in Him who will is the author and finisher of our salvation.

blkackhaw6

[RayNay714]

Stogus,
It is easy for us to doubt that we have salvation because we cannot be perfect. Trust in the Lord and he will renew your strength. When you have those doubts, look to the cross, and He will lead you back to that place where you KNOW that Jesus is Lord. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust in him!
RayNay

[Mandy]

Amen Ray!

[Terri]

Originally posted by StogusMaximus

Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.



Hi StogusMaximus,

I think what the Lord wants most from us is for us to be close to him. Perhaps your not as close to the Lord as you would want. I find these to be very dangerous times spiritually. Just reading the Bible when I can doesn't seem to keep me as close to the Lord as I would like. I have to pray without ceasing--I try to constantly have a bible verse repeating in my mind. Since I have began this, I have come to feel great joy and feel closer to the Lord than I ever thought possible.

Love you in the Lord,

Terri

[Hishandmaiden]

Stogus,
what you experience, I have experienced, too for two years of my Christian life. I felt that something is amiss and what I do is not enough. But, not so anymore. Seek hard, and you will find up what it is that you thought you missed.

[Blackwing]

sometimes i feel fear in my heart on what is going to happen in the future and what is life like in heaven coz it's beyond what I can comprehend sometimes.

Then God will assure me that He is in control and all these things will come in due time

Thanks for the thread, I needed that assurance again

[tericl2]

In another thread someone posted (solo66 I think) about David and how he was so transparent. You can see this through out the Psalms. He, often, didn't feel like he was close to God, but he went to God in prayer and told God how he felt.

i think we need to be transparent in this manner. God knows anyway, and we shouldn't be embarrassed to let God know how we feel.

Another thing I would like to add, which my preacher points out constantly, is that our salvation and our faith isn't a feeling. It is something we KNOW and we need to live by what we know, not what we feel.

All that said, I know, as I think every Christian does, how this feels. I have actually been struggling with this myself for the last week or so. So, for the prayer warriors out there....add me to your list! :)

With hope in Christ

[Mandy]

Amen!
The just shall walk by faith, not by sight.
Sometimes it is hard to remember not to go by how we feel. I too struggle with this from time to time. I went through a period where I was very unsure of my salvation. It was horrible. It's funny though I look back at that time period and am amazed to see He was there with me all along.
I think David is one of the people in the Bible that really inspires me. He really sought the Lord and he was not perfect, yet God considered him a man after his own heart.

[hasbeens2000]

Stogus, this dilemma is not uncommon. Try to remember that you're not a Christian because you feel like one. You're a Christian because of a commitment you've made to follow Jesus.

Salvation is not a one-time experience, it's a relationship, and therefore it's a process, built on a foundation of trust. Like any relationship, there will be ups and downs. There will be days where you can literally feel the Holy Spirit inside your skin, and some days you feel like God is a million miles away. Every Christian goes through that, due to our imperfect nature.

But a couple of things you said concern me...


I believe that Jesus was without sin, and that he died on a cross for me. I go to church every Sunday and I try to read my Bible when I can.

Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.


Substitute the word "believe" with the word "trust". Is it still true for you? If you know what happened, but aren't depending on it, that might be part of the problem. Just because you pray the sinners' prayer doesn't absolve you from having to depend on Jesus for salvation. We have to depend on Him and trust that His sacrifice paid for our sins continually. Like I said before, salvation is a process, not an event.

The other thing that concerns me is your statement that you might not have "done enough". We cannot ever 'do enough'. We cannot earn our way into heaven. The Bible says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, not by works lest any man should boast." If someone (flesh or spirit) is telling you that you're not 'doing enough' to be saved, you are being lied to.

What I would tell you to do is:

1) Keep on (or start) trusting that Jesus' sacrifice was enough to reconcile you to the Father.

2) Continue to develop your relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, worship, and service.

[LuckyCharm]

Amen, Amen, hasbeens2000!

[Godsluvbug]

Hi everyone!
These words of wisdom & sincerity have watered my soul!!! Thank GOD for sisters & brothers in the Lord. Been away from "home" for a long time. I started praying earnestly for God to bring me home & He did 02/03/02!!! My biggest problem was depending on self. Now it's like being held safely & securely by someone who you know loves you. Ahhh such peace.......PTL. StogusMaximus - pray, fast & PTL its gonna be alright our Lord Jesus has overcome the world & in Him so will you love ya!!!!

[Blackwing]

Hi there Godsluvbug and welcome to the forums!!!

:wave::cool:

[Mandy]

Hi Godsluvbug and welcome!! :)

God is awesome isn't He? :clap:

[Hishandmaiden]

Godsluvbug,
welcome and hope you like it here!

Wish U best in all U do!

[Caedmon]

Originally posted by LuckyCharm
I've been meaning to reply to this ever since I saw it this morning, but had to wait till my lunch hour.

A passage from 1 John 3 comes to mind with this question:

19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence
20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God

It doesn't depend on what our "hearts" tell us, although it is wonderful when our hearts do indeed manage to grasp the reality of our salvation. But when they don't, we just need to remember that God is greater than our hearts.

Ok, this group of scripture has always confused me. In 19-20, it seems like even though our hearts condemn us, we know we have salvation when we are reborn. BUT!!! Verse 21 seems to contradict that. It's like, "ok, if your heart condemns you, don't worry", then, "if your heart condemns you, you don't have confidence before God". Could someone please clear this up?!? Thanks....

[Droobie]

Originally posted by humblejoe


Ok, this group of scripture has always confused me. In 19-20, it seems like even though our hearts condemn us, we know we have salvation when we are reborn. BUT!!! Verse 21 seems to contradict that. It's like, "ok, if your heart condemns you, don't worry", then, "if your heart condemns you, you don't have confidence before God". Could someone please clear this up?!? Thanks....

There doesn't seem to be a contradiction here. The verses are talking about different things. If our hearts condemn us, which means we have self-accusation or guilt of some sort, we ourselves would have no confidence in God. BUT, at the same time, be encouraged, that God, being greater than we, will hold us in His hands and take care of us.

[Da Berkshire Massive]

Originally posted by StogusMaximus
I believe that Jesus was without sin, and that he died on a cross for me. I go to church every Sunday and I try to read my Bible when I can.

Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.

How do you know for sure that you are saved?

StogusMaximus I have been going through exactly the same myself!

Here's three questions.

1. Have you personally called upon Jesus having renounced all your sins, for total forgiveness for all your sins and salvation?
2. Do you trust Jesus and his death upon the cross alone for your salvation?
3. Are you willing with God's help and have you asked the Holy Spirit to help you live a holy life?
4. Finally, is there any deliberate (i.e. not an occaisonal slip up on impulse) & persistant sin in your life that is getting in between you and God? -This doesn't necessarily mean that you have never been saved and if you are saved you cannot lose your salvation because of deliberate sin, though if it is the case you need to give up & eternally forsake that sin(s), and then ask God for forgiveness and the help of his Holy Spirit to keep you from falling into it again.

If you can answer YES to 1,2 & 3 and NO to 4 then YOU ARE DEFINITELY A CHRISTIAN!
There is nothing more to be done- God has completely worked a true conversion in your heart- YOU ARE A GENUINE CHRISTIAN!

[LouisBooth]

okay, for those people out there that are married..or have been in love they can think about it that way. When you're in love you just know it. Its not a "I always feel happy and joyful thing". The point is if you are feeling that way maybe you should spend some time with God. A good question to ask yourself is how is your "quiet time" with God going? Maybe you are feeling uneasy because he has "cut off your source" to remind you that he wants a relationship with you and you have to participate in that. A relationship is two ways, ya know?

[Dave Ulchers]

Originally posted by StogusMaximus
Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.
You shouldn't ignore such promptings, for they well might come from the Holy Spirit.

How do you know for sure that you are saved?
Jesus's own words tell us how we might gleen our salvation or lack thereof.

Luke 6:
Looking at his disciples, he said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

[Rainbow Joy Promises]

"...and if you are saved you cannot lose your salvation because of deliberate sin..."

I struggle with this a lot...if someone would like to elaborate I'd appreciate it. I don't mean to hijack this thread. I don't think I'm deliberately sinning...I think I just get decieved and slip up...but I don't know.

One passage (that probably has something to do with the above) that I really like is this one:

Romans 8:38-39, NLT

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

[LouisBooth]

Sure. The sin we have was taken on by Christ when you gave your life to him. Sin, to make an analogy, needs something to hook onto to breath..christ has no sin for it to hook on to so it "died". Sin no longer has the same consequences for christians. It lacks the power to kill us. We sin and we are refusing God's sanctification, but we no longer need to fear the death that comes with sin, for Christ took our sin and died for us. I personally think we are sinning because we choose to.Why? Its our old life that is dead and gone..kinda like if you poor and suddenly you're rich, its hard to not live counting every penny all of a sudden. Get the idea?

[Caedmon]

Excellent analogy Louis....

I think that sometimes we forget that when Christ comes into our life and regenerates us, that we receive the ability to exhibit the Beatitudes. If you're truly a Christian, strive to exhibit what you've been given! That's what being a Christian is all about, shining the light so that God may be glorified.

Personally, I feel horrible when I don't do what God has given me the ability to do. We should do what we can, because if we don't, those opportunities will pass us by, and we'll end up feeling miserable afterwards. Thank God for sanctification. It takes a lifetime, but God completes the work He starts inside of us.

[edjones]

210 Things that are True of Me Now that I am Saved

1. My salvation is fully accomplished - John 19:30.
2. I have eternal life as a present possession - John 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13.
3. I have Jesus Christ as my present possession - 1 John 5:12.
4. I know the one, true God - John 17:3; 1 John 2:3; 5:20.
5. I have been saved by His grace - Eph. 2:1-10.
6. I have been justified by His grace - Titus 3:7.
7. I have passed from death unto life - John 5:24; 1 John 3:14.
8. I have been quickened by God - Eph. 2:1,5; Col. 2:13.
9. I have been made fit for heaven - Col. 1:12.
10. I have the forgiveness of sins - Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14.
11. My sins have been taken away - John 1:29; Heb. 9:26; 1 John 3:5.
12. My sins have been completely purged - Heb. 1:3.
13. My sins will never be remembered by God - Heb. 8:12; 10:17.
14. My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life - Phil. 4:3
15. My life is hid with in God - Col. 3:3
16. I have been forgiven all trespasses - Col. 2:13; 1 John 2:12.
17. I have been fully justified - Rom. 4:5; 8:30; 1 Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16; Tit. 3:7.
18. I am reconciled to God - 2 Cor. 5:18,19; Col. 1:20.
19. I am made nigh by the blood of Christ - Eph. 2:13.
20. I am redeemed through His blood - 1 Pet. 1:18,19; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14.
21. I am redeemed from the curse of the law - Gal. 3:13.
22. I am redeemed from all iniquity - Titus 2:14.
23. I am bought with a price - 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23.
24. I am delivered from so great a death - 2 Cor. 1:10.
25. I have been delivered from this present evil world - Gal. 1:4.
26. I have been delivered from the power of darkness - Col. 1:13.
27. I have been delivered from the wrath to come - 1 Thess. 1:10.
28. I will not come into condemnation or judgment - John 5:24; Rom. 8:1.
29. I am a child of God - John 1:12; Rom. 8:16; Gal. 3:26; 1 John 3:1,2.
30. I am a son of God - Gal. 4:5-7.
31. I belong to Jesus Christ - Gal. 3:29; 5:24.
32. I have been adopted - Gal. 4:5; Rom. 8:15,23.
33. I am an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ - Rom. 8:17; Tit. 3:7.
34. I am an heir of the grace of life - 1 Pet. 3:7.
35. All things are mine - 1 Cor. 3:21-23.
36. I possess all things - 2 Cor. 6:10.
37. I will inherit all things - Rev. 21:7.
38. I am enriched by Christ in everything - 1 Cor. 1:5; 2 Cor. 9:11.
39. I am a fellow-heir - Eph. 3:6.
40. I am rich because of Christ - 2 Cor. 8:9; Rev. 2:9.
41. I am blessed with every spiritual blessing - Eph. 1:3.
42. I have obtained an inheritance - Eph. 1:11,14; Heb. 1:14; 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4.
43. I have been appointed to obtain salvation - 1 Thess. 5:9; Heb. 1:14.
44. I am His inheritance - Eph. 1:18.
45. I am a partaker of His promise in Christ by the gospel - Eph. 3:6.
46. I am a new creature in Christ - 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; 4:24; Col. 3:10.
47. I have been renewed by the Holy Spirit - Tit. 3:5.
48. I am accepted and highly favored in the Beloved - Eph. 1:6.
49. I am seated in heavenly places in Christ - Eph. 2:6.
50. I am to the praise of His glory - Eph. 1:6,12.
51. I am light in the Lord - Eph. 5:8.
52. I am a child of light - Eph. 5:8; 1 Thess. 5:5.
53. I am a "peculiar person": God's special, purchased possession - Tit. 2:14; 1 Pet. 2:9.
54. I am a priest who can offer spiritual sacrifices - Heb. 13:15,16; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6.
55. I am a king who will reign - Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6.
56. I am privileged to have fellowship with the Father and with the Son- 1 John 1:3.
57. I dwell in Christ - John 6:56; 1 John 3:24; 4:13,15,16.
58. Christ dwells in me - John 6:56; Gal. 2:20; 1 John 3:24; 4:12-16.
59. I am in Christ - John 14:20; 2 Cor. 5:17.
60. Christ is in me - John 14:20; Col. 1:27; 1 John 4:4.
61. The Spirit of God dwells in me - Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21,22.
62. I am not in the flesh but in the Spirit - Rom. 8:9.
63. My "earthen vessel" houses a great Treasure - 2 Cor. 4:7.
64. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor. 6:19.
65. I have the gift and earnest of the Holy Spirit - 2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 1:13,14; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 John 3:24; 4:13.
66. I have an anointing (unction) from the Holy One - 1 John 2:20,27.
67. I have an anchor for my soul, both sure and steadfast - Heb. 6:19
68. I am one of the called of Jesus Christ - Rom. 1:6; 8:28-30; Jude 1; Rev. 17:14.
69. I have been called unto the fellowship of God's Son - 1 Cor. 1:9.
70. I have been called unto eternal glory - 1 Pet. 5:10.
71. I have been called with a holy calling - 2 Tim. 1:9.
72. I am a partaker of the high, heavenly calling - Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:1.
73. I have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light - 1 Pet. 2:9.
74. God foreknew me - Rom. 8:29; 1 Pet. 1:2.
75. God predestined me to be conformed to Christ's image - Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5,11.
76. I have already been glorified according to God's mind and purpose - Rom. 8:30.
77. I am eternally secure in God's love - Rom. 8:38,39.
78. I am chosen in Christ - Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 17:14.
79. I am complete in Christ - Col. 2:10.
80. I am beloved of God - Col. 3:12; 2 Thess. 2:13.
81. I am chastened and disciplined by my Heavenly Father - Heb. 12:6,7.
82. I am part of that group that Christ is not ashamed to call His "brethren" and "friends" - Heb. 2:11; John 15:14,15.
83. I am a child of Abraham - Gal. 3:7.
84. I am Abraham's seed - Gal. 3:29.
85. I enjoy the blessing of Abraham - Gal. 3:9.
86. I am a child of promise - Gal. 4:28,31.
87. I am faithful - Rev. 17:14.
88. I am a sheep in His flock - Luke 12:32; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25.
89. I am a member in His body - 1 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 3:6; 4:25; 5:30.
90. I am a stone in His building - Eph. 2:20-22; Heb. 3:6; 1 Pet. 2:5.
91. I am a branch in His vine - John 15:1-7.
92. I am a child of His kingdom - Matt. 13:38; Mark 10:14,15; Luke 17:21.
93. I am born again into His family - John 1:12,13; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:3,23; 2:2; 1 John 5:1.
94. I am one of God's people because He graciously claims me as His own - 1 Pet. 2:10; Rev. 21:7.
95. I am a fellow citizen with the saints - Eph. 2:19.
96. I was baptized into Jesus Christ - Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:12-13 Gal. 3:27.
97. I was identified with Christ in His death - Rom. 6:3-6,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14; Col. 2:12,20; 3:3.
98. I was identified with Christ in His resurrection - Rom. 6:5,8,11; 2 Cor. 5:15; Gal. 2:20; Col. 2:12; 3:1.
99. I am dead to sin - Rom. 6:2.
100. My "old man" was crucified with Christ - Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20
101. I have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts - Gal. 5:24.
102. I am alive unto God - Rom. 6:11,13; Gal. 2:19,20.
103. Christ is my life - Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4.
104. I can walk in newness of life - Rom. 6:4.
105. I can serve in newness of spirit - Rom. 7:6.
106. I can live unto righteousness - 1 Pet. 2:24.
107. I died to the law - Rom. 7:4; Gal. 2:19.
108. I am delivered from the law - Rom. 7:6.
109. I am not under the law but under grace - Rom. 6:14.
110. I have God's laws written in my heart - Heb. 10:16.
111. I am married to Jesus Christ - Rom. 7:4.
112. I am a partaker of Christ - Heb. 3:14.
113. I am identified with Christ in His suffering - 2 Tim. 2:12; Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 2:20; 4:12,13; 1 Thess. 3:3; Rom. 8:18; Col. 1:24.
114. The knowledge of God is made known by me - 2 Cor. 2:14.
115. The savor (aroma) of Christ is made known by me - 2 Cor. 2:15,16.
116. I am an epistle of Christ - 2 Cor. 3:3.
117. I am being changed into Christ's glorious image - 2 Cor. 3:18.
118. I am being perfected - Phil. 1:6.
119. My inward man is being renewed day by day - 2 Cor. 4:16.
120. I have put on Christ - Gal. 3:27.
121. I am not of the world - John 17:14,16.
122. The world is crucified unto me - Gal. 6:14.
123. I am crucified unto the world - Gal. 6:14.
124. I am separated unto the gospel of God - Rom. 1:1.
125. I am sanctified in Christ Jesus - 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Heb. 10:10; Jude 1.
126. I am holy - Col. 3:12; Heb. 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 20:6.
127. I am clothed in His righteousness - Rev. 19:18.
128. I am a saint - 1 Cor. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; Rom. 1:7.
129. I am faultless in Christ - Eph. 5:27; Col. 1:22; Jude 24.
130. I am perfected forever - Heb. 10:14.
131. I am not my own - 1 Cor. 6:19.
132. I am called unto holiness - 1 Thess. 4:7.
133. I am a citizen of heaven - Phil. 3:20.
134. I am a stranger and pilgrim who is not at home in this world - Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11.
135. I have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love - Col. 1:13.
136. I am circumcised in my heart - Col. 2:11; Phil 3:3 (cf. Dt. 10:16).
137. My faithful God will sanctify me wholly - 1 Thess. 5:23,24.
138. My faithful God will keep me from evil - 2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 4:18.
139. Christ has made me free, free indeed - John 8:32,36; Gal. 5:1; 1 Cor. 7:22.
140. Jesus Christ is my Deliverer - Rom. 7:24,25.
141. I am free from sin - Rom. 6:7,18,22.
142. The law of the Spirit of Life has made me free from the law of sin and death - Rom. 8:2.
143. I am God's servant /slave - Rom. 6:22.
144. I am Christ's servant/slave - 1 Cor. 7:22.
145. I am a servant/slave of righteousness - Rom. 6:18.
146. I have been called unto liberty - Gal. 5:13.
147. I have the mind of Christ - 1 Cor. 2:16.
148. I have a sound mind - 2 Tim. 1:7.
149. Christ has given me an understanding - 1 John 5:20.
150. I have the righteousness of Christ - 2 Cor. 5:21.
151. I have all sufficiency in all things - 2 Cor. 9:8.
152. I have all things that pertain to life and godliness - 2 Pet. 1:3.
153. I can ever be content for I have Christ - Heb. 13:5.
154. I have all the armor and weapons I need - 2 Cor. 10:4; Eph. 6:10-17.
155. I have God's all-sufficient grace - 2 Cor. 12:9.
156. I have grace to help in time of need - Heb. 4:16.
157. I have God's power - Eph. 1:19; 3:20.
158. I have access to the Father - Eph. 2:18; Heb. 4:16.
159. I have a great High Priest - Heb. 2:17,18; 3:1; 4:14-16; 8:1; 10:21.
160. I have an unfailing Intercessor - Heb. 7:25; 9:24; Rom. 8:34.
161. I have a righteous Advocate with the Father for times when I sin - 1 John 2:1.
162. I have peace with God - Rom. 5:1.
163. Christ is my peace - Eph. 2:14.
164. I have rest for my soul - Matt. 11:28,29; Heb. 4:9.
165. I am led by the Spirit of God - Rom. 8:14.
166. I am enabled during trials and temptations - 1 Cor. 10:13.
167. I am given assurance by the Spirit - Rom. 8:16; Heb. 6:18.
168. I am given comfort by God - 2 Cor. 1:3-7.
169. I am tranquilized by His peace - Phil. 4:7.
170. I am freely given truth and knowledge by the Spirit - 1 Cor. 2:12.
171. I am not distressed - 2 Cor. 4:8.
172. I am not in despair - 2 Cor. 4:8.
173. I am not forsaken - 2 Cor. 4:9.
174. I am not in darkness - 1 Thess. 5:4.
175. God is my Sufficiency - 2 Cor. 3:5.
176. God is my Strength - 2 Cor. 12:9,10; Phil. 4:13.
177. God is my Helper - Heb. 13:6.
178. I belong to a Sovereign God who works all things together for my good - Rom. 8:28.
179. All things are for my sake - 2 Cor. 4:15.
180. My God is for me - Rom. 8:31.
181. My every need is supplied - Phil. 4:19.
182. I am a laborer together with Christ - 1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 6:1.
183. I am His workmanship - Eph. 2:10.
184. God works in me - Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21.
185. God's Word works in me - 1 Thess. 2:13.
186. I am sealed by God - 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13.
187. I am on the Rock, Christ Jesus - Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:11.
188. I am established securely in Christ - 2 Cor. 1:21; 2 Thess. 3:3.
189. I am kept by the power of God - 1 Pet. 1:5.
190. I am preserved in Jesus Christ - Jude 1.
191. I am kept from falling - Jude 24.
192. I have a building of God eternal in the heavens - 2 Cor. 5:1.
193. My name is forever written in heaven - Luke 10:20.
194. I am more than a conqueror: a super-conqueror - Rom. 8:37.
195. I have victory through Christ - 1 Cor. 15:57.
196. I have overcome the world - 1 John 5:4,5.
197. I always triumph in Christ - 2 Cor. 2:14.
198. I am indwelt by the victorious Christ who is greater than Satan - 1 John 4:4.
199. Satan cannot touch me - 1 John 5:18.

[edjones]

200. I have a living hope - 1 Pet. 1:3.
201. I have a glorious future - Rom. 8:18; 2 Thess. 2:14.
202. I have been given eternal encouragement and good hope through grace- 2 Thess. 2:16.
203. I will be given a new body just like Christ's glorified body - Phil. 3:20-21.
204. I will be preserved unto His heavenly kingdom - 2 Tim. 4:18.
205. I am receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved - Heb. 12:28.
206. I have a place reserved in heaven for me - John 14:2,3; 1 Pet. 1:4.
207. I will not be hurt of the second death - Rev. 2:11; 20:6.
208. I will have a new name - Rev. 2:17; 3:12.
209. I will sit with Christ in His throne - Rev. 3:21.
210. I will be with my God forever - Rev. 21:3,4.

[fieldmouse3]

I know what you mean when you say that something's missing. I feel that way, too, right now as a matter of fact. I don't think it means that anything is amiss with my salvation; I'm thinking that there's something else that I've missed. I've been praying, however, and I know that God will provide me with the wisdom and knowledge that I need. Knowing that doesn't exactly make the waiting fun, but His timing is perfect! :)

[edjones]

Any Christian who is not clear about the difference between salvation and reward will have difficulty being assured of his salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8 ), whereas reward is the result of working according to the Lord’s will (Matt. 16:27; 1 Cor. 3:14 ). -Watchman Nee

[JohnR7]

>>we no longer need to fear the death that comes with sin,

IF we overcome sin, then we will overcome death at the same time. In the latter rain, there will be so much of the power of God that people will be able to live free from sin. Jesus will then have to come for His bride because death will not be able to take her. She will be out preaching and teaching and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. When the last person has been witnessed to then Jesus will be coming for His Bride.

Those who do not overcome sin, will have to die a natural death in order to go to Heaven. If they do not get the victory over sin, before Jesus returns, then their only option to go to heaven will be to be martyered during the tribulation period.

We know that Enoch and Elijah did not die, but were translated to Heaven. There could have been others, that we are not told about. Elijah is a type of Christ, Enoch is a type of the Bride. Thanks, JohnR7

[Andrew]

Didn't have time to read thru all the pages of postings but just to add what I believe.

Yes, it takes faith to believe what the Bible promises - salvation for those who believe.
But beyond that I also want to say that there shld be the inward witness. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the sons of God.

A believer should just know that he knows that he knows he's saved. You know it from your gut. It's not just becos someone told u so.

peace

[patriarch]

Originally posted by StogusMaximus
I believe that Jesus was without sin, and that he died on a cross for me. I go to church every Sunday and I try to read my Bible when I can.

Every once in awhile I get the feeling that something is missing, that I haven't done enough.

How do you know for sure that you are saved?

Rather than try to figure it out, ask God to show you what's missing. He will do that. But seek Him earnestly. If I were in that bind, I'd be getting up an hour early every morning just to seek His face on this issue, day after day, week after week, month after month, until I got a clear answer. It will come, but only if you seek with sincerity and persistence.

[Jephunneh]

Good thread!

[thepalmtree]

By this it is made clear who take
their nature from God and are His
children and who take their nature
from the devil and are his children:
no one who does not practice right-
eousness[who does not conform to
God's will in purpose, thought, and
action] is of God; neither is anyone
who does not love his brother (his
fellow beleiver in Christ)
We know that we have passed
over out of death into Life by the
fact we love the breathen (our
fellow Christians).1 John3;10,14