Salvation changes the way you think!

Are you saved? Many have little idea what salvation truly is! Many people born into a Christian family consider themselves Christian. Not so! Because your parents were righteous means nothing to God as for your own salvation. It does increase the chances that you'll make your own decision, but without your own remorse, repentance, acceptance and faith; you're just a lost person from a Christian family. "I believe in Jesus!" you say. Congratulations! Even the demons do.

Others say that they believe. While that's a good start, "belief" is merely a starting point. Without further ado, you're on equal par with the demons!  What more is required? Faith for sure. Scripture has the best definition of faith than any dictionary:

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

 

Faith is "confidence". Our belief in God is unshakable. Not only that, but our belief in the things of God are without question! Are you a "Christian" who accepts the notion that our universe evolved? If so, you have little confidence in what God did:

 

Hebrews 11:3 "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

 

One command, one instant in time, created the universe!  You don't believe this? Where is your faith? God made everything from nothing! You doubt this? Where is your faith? 

 

What do "we hope for"? We "hope" that Jesus is on the throne in heaven. We can't see that, but in our heart we have the assurance that Jesus sits right there, resurrected, and on the right hand of God!  You don't believe that? Where is your faith?

 

Just what is the difference between belief and faith? Let's say that you've fallen over a cliff and are clinging on for dear life. You remember having a rope in your car and you know that your friend is safely at the top of the cliff. That's tangible. That's real. You believe it! Faith is having the confidence that your friend hasn't strolled off somewhere and that he will find the rope, tie it to an anchor and sling it to you. You assure yourself that you have the fortitude and strength to grab the rope and climb to safety. Knowing about the rope and friend is "belief". Having confidence that the rope is long enough, your friend is wise and that you are strong is all "faith"!

 

Likewise, accepting history that Jesus was a real person and that he died on a cross is reality. More abstract is that Jesus is God, that his blood and death was the ultimate sacrifice for you and that he still lives. "Belief" is the former and "faith" is the latter. Yes, Jesus is real, but he is also our salvation. "Belief" is that the person of Jesus is true. "Faith" is knowing that he died because you cannot make propitiation for your own sins! You know that Jesus is sufficient and the only way to salvation! Believing now and having faith you're saved!

 

Romans 10:9 (NIV) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

 

Belief and faith are the keys to salvation! What do you do with that belief and faith? "Declare with your mouth!" There are no "secret Christians"! If you're saved, you'll tell everybody about it. If you don't declare it you must be ashamed!

 

1 Peter 4:16 "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."

 

A believing Christian with faith shall praise Jesus without embarrassment. Covert Christianity is a deceitful position of false assurance. The assurance of your faith is your works! "Working" is going about your world telling others who you love that Jesus is the Way! "That's not me!" You say. "I'm shy. I'm an introvert. I'm afraid to speak in public!" Just as Moses was given words to lead the Jews to freedom from Egypt, God will give you the words to speak to your friends! God will change you!  You're afraid to speak? Then write. That's what I do! Although, I'm not afraid to speak, there must be a forum. People will read what I write although they may not desire to listen to my words.

 

There was once a girl who intended to marry. However, she and her husband-to-be differed on many ideas and life events. With prayer and in spite of  their differences, they married anyhow. That took courage or maybe a little stupidity, but God can change things!  One had faith that the word of God would change the other. Gradually, by hearing God's truth one changed; or was it both that changed? Worlds in collision" with faith in God became "unity in marriage". The twain became one in thought! God changes things!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

 

Mankind is an "old creature". As we're brought into this world we're all prone to sin because of our nature; and we do just that! A young child will lie to keep out of trouble. They're not taught that, but do that because of original sin. They look innocent, but even at that age are "old creatures" being subjects of the Prince of this world.

 

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;".

 

That includes children. No, the children aren't damned, but if they live to adulthood (accountability) then they must CHANGE! What is "change". They become "a new creature"! That's done by salvation.

 

As a Christian, ones sins are forgiven and the slate wiped clean. A new person starts over with a new heart. A new life ensues. What is that "new life"? Living as Christ would have you live! A Christian puts away the life of sin and becomes sanctified. Sanctification is when the Christian is set apart from the world. A Christian is no longer a subject of the devil, but a disciple of Christ! With that change, a Christian's life will change. That change is evidence of your Christianity and assurance of your salvation! If you are "saved" but your life remains unchanged, quite possibly you're not truly a "new creature". You may be the same old creature subject to living the life of pleasure, the devil's treat.

 

This dissertation is a plea for those who think that they're saved to examine reality. Does your life reflect the spiritual condition you claim? One of Satan's tools is to convince those without discernment that they are safely held in God's hands and that the sins they're still enjoying are acceptable for salvation. While God still forgives us as we sin, don't test him. Don't think "Lord forgive me for what I'm about to do!". That's not how it works. Submission is the key. Assurance is the promise!