The Test of Salvation
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Introduction
Going into 2024 we must all make sure we know that we believe.
There is a doctrine of assurance which tells us how can you know that you are a true believer?
I just know that I know
I know in my heart of hearts I’m saved
The preacher told me I’m saved
I have walked with God
The is a continuous effort
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Southern Baptist statement about salvation
The purpose of this sermon is for you to know how to test yourselves to see if you are in the faith
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Compare what you know to your secrete life and see where you stand
Test #1: Are You Walking in the Light?
Test #1: Are You Walking in the Light?
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Light = Holiness and Righteousness
God is not dark and mysterious
God has made it clear who he is. The world wants to keep him in obscurity
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Darkness is the opposite of light
Walk (Pa - o -padia) = a style of life
Does you style of life contradict what God says (His character, His will)
Your salvation is not a repetitious prayer
Test #2: Are You Practicing Self-Deception?
Test #2: Are You Practicing Self-Deception?
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Some false teachings and religions state you can live in sinless perfection. NOT A BIBLE TEACHING
As a child of God you will be sensitive to the sin in your life - confession and repentance.
“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
When was the last time you wept or felt true remorse over you sin?
Are you sensitive to Sin
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
We don’t fall into sin, we slide into it!
Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
Do you look for loopholes?
We need to have a new relationship to sin before we have a new relationship with God
We need to have a new relationship to sin before we have a new relationship with God
Test #3: Do You Know Him?
Test #3: Do You Know Him?
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
Keep is in the present tense
Does not mean you walk in sinless perfect - NO.
Is your desire to keep keeping his commandments - NOT WHAT YOUR USE TO DO.
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,
Test #4: Are You Walking Like Jesus?
Test #4: Are You Walking Like Jesus?
but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
One of my greatest desire was to walk like my father.
Do we want to walk like the world or Jesus?
Test #5: Do You Love Your Brother?
Test #5: Do You Love Your Brother?
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Conclusion
The life of a true believer is one of constant testing and awareness. In 2024 let us be aware of who we are, what we do, how we act - especially when no one is looking, and who we represent. We people see us they need to see Christ.