“Rightness with God comes only by believing on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior not by knowing about God and the Law.”
10 Wherefore, brethren, give rather diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:10 (1599 Geneva Bible)
How can we know if we are truly in Christ? Or you may ask, “What is the fruit which genuine believers bear?” If true salvation is as impacting on a believer’s life as we contend then there should be verifiable evidence or fruit manifested in that life. The problem is in knowing what evidence really prove the presence of God in a person’s life and those that do not….
I have noticed most professing Christians look at the wrong things in their self-evaluations to determine if they are in Christ. Real evidence of the presence of God in a person’s life will be the fruits of salvation. These fruits will in turn lead to outward manifestations of “goodness” or “religiosity” which, unfortunately, can be counterfeited. These outward manifestations are often what we look at to determine if we are a “good Christian” or not. My brethren, this is a fallacy. Any activity or attitude that can be counterfeited by a false believer cannot be used to verify ones salvation.
Let’s take a close look at these evidences that should never be used to verify our salvation. The first evidence that neither proves or disproves ones salvation is Visible Morality. We all seem to fall for the idea that if a person is a “good person” God surely will automatically accept them. Some atheists and agnostics are “good people.” However, the Bible is very clear in stating salvation comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. I have known many people who were kind and decent yet were not genuine believers. People with a strong conscience will not stray far from high standards of behavior. Believers do not have a monopoly on high moral standards. In the book of Matthew, a rich young man comes to Jesus seeking a savior.
16 ¶ ,And behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why called thou me good? there is none good but one, even God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the Commandments. 18 He said unto him, Which? And Jesus said, These, Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness. 19 Honor thy father, and mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 20 The young man said unto him, I have observed all these things from my youth. What lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, and follow me. 22 And when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 And when his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 And Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. 27 ¶ Then answered Peter, and said to him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what therefore shall we have? Matthew 19:16-27 (1599 Geneva Bible)
In these verses, a “good person” with Visible Morality comes to Jesus to fill the void in his life. Jesus tells him to put away everything else he valued in his life then come to follow Him exclusively. He would not do it. He was a person with high moral standards, yet he was not a believer. <Continue reading post>