ARE YOU SAVED

What a powerful question, are you Saved? Of course there are only two people who know the answer to this question and they are God and you. Are you not glad God looks at the heart to answer this question? Man looks at our deeds and listens to our words, but God's focus is on our heart. I am glad God is the final judge of this question because if it was me I would probably put some people I know in hell that should not go. And the other person is you. We know the truth about our self, whether we are saved or not. We know what we do in secret that no one sees except God. We know the truth about our self that nobody knows, but God. A few days ago I heard this guy talk about a letter he received from a lady who asked, how do I really know I am saved and am a Christians. Now I like the word Believer instead of Christian. You know you can be a so called "Christian" and not believe in the death, burial, and resurrection (the Gospel) of Jesus Christ. Many main stream denominations and religions only believe parts of the Gospel of some not at all. We must be very careful how we use the word "Christian" and not give credence to groups of people that shun the truth of the Word of God. So I like the word "Believers" these are folks that believe the Gospel message and take the Scriptures literally as written. But this guy's reply back to the lady contained four questions. What he was saying is if you can answer yes to three of the questions and yes to the fourth question then you probably are saved, because non saved people do not enjoy engaging in the detailed behavior below. As a matter of fact their behavior is directly opposite from those who consider themselves to be Believers. Okay enough the first question: Do you enjoy being around other people that call themselves Christians and say they are saved? Please notice I did not say who go to church. The writer to the Hebrews tell us, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25) At this time in the history of the New Testament Church they did not have mega-churches, but met house to house or in small groups due to the persecution. I do believe these times will revisit us again. I would think there is more of God's power in operation and manifestation in a small group of Believers than in a large group of Christians. To carry that thought on I would say the bigger the group the less of God's power is in operation. After all the more flesh you get corralled under one roof the tougher time it is to allow the Holy Spirit to put our flesh down. We see this principle all throughout the Scriptures and live today on TV and the internet. Now there are probably some people who go to church you like and some you do not like. You can also find this in a small group setting, but I have found most people who go to church (and not a small group setting as much) go for the wrong reason. Going to a small group setting is more of a deliberate desire because it will require more of self participation, less people to hide among. But what is important is the reason we gather together as Believers not to receive a blessing, but to be a blessing. It is not about the gathering, the music, times of fellowship, or the programs that minister to the heart of man, but the Holy Spirit. Our focus must alway be on Christ and what He has done for us on the cross and out from that the ministering power of the Holy Spirit can touch our heart and mind giving us revelation as we hear the Scriptures come alive in our hearts. If you do not like gathering with Believers then you are probably not saved. Question number two: Do you enjoy praying? Here are some practical precepts found in the Believer's life, "Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:15-22) Here Paul again teaches the Church at Thessalonica practical principles for daily living that will enable them to be successful in their walk with Him. Now prayer is so much more than what we call prayer today. Prayer is something we use to get things from God or something we use to twist God's arm to get Him to do something for us, but my friend that is not prayer. Prayer must begin with God, it must be birthed by the Holy Spirit or you are not praying you are just speaking into the wind. Prayer is not something that was written 200 years ago by some great guy, but it must be alive and heartfelt that melts our heart into a mush of compassion and dedication. It is something we use to reach out and touch the heart of God to satisfy our longing and needs. If you do not enjoy praying then you probably are not saved. Question number three: Do you enjoy studying the Bible? Notice I did not say read the Bible I said study the Bible. There is a huge difference between reading something and studying something. in 2 Timothy Paul commanded Timothy to, "Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." (2 Timothy 2:14-16) Now Timothy did not have the New Testament as we do to study, it was the Old Testament as we know it. We today have both the Old and New Testament to study, but statistically speaking the average Christian spends less than 5 minutes a day reading the Bible and rarely thinks about studying it. Wow the love letter from God for reproof and correction, for exaltation and edification for wisdom and history sits on most coffee tables as a fixture to be seen and seldom touched, maybe to wipe off the dust when another Christian comes over. If you do not like studying the Bible then you probably are not saved. And the final question number four: Are you guided or led by the Holy Spirit. Most definitely if you did not answer yes to this question then you are not saved, you are lost in your sin, and on the road to Hell and ultimately the Lake of Fire with the Devil and His Angels. John tells us in the Book of Revelations, "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14-15). But those people who are led or guided by the Holy Spirit, "they are the sons of God." Paul helps us here, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, where by we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" (Romans 8:14-16) The sign that tells the Believer that they are a son of God is they are guided or led by the Holy Spirit. Because the Spirit of God will "bear witness" with our spirit. This too is how we will know we are saved, the Spirit of God will not bear witness or communicate to our spirit we will know without a shadow of doubt we are not saved and need to correct our behavior before it is too late. The person who is not led by the Holy Spirit is not and cannot be saved unless there is a change in their heart. Are you saved? Written by David Stahl