Can the Saint of Christ be “without Spot” before God? [podcast]
May God bless us in Honoring His Word…. and Exposing Satan’s Lies
Can Christ’s saints can be “without spot”? If so, how?
Heaven bound disciples of Jesus never make excuse for, never cover their sin! No, they confess all sin in true repentance. Reading Romans 6 each morning this week will be a blessing to your life.
Paramount to all things in Christ’s kingdom, His people must understand that “without FAITH it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). Being saved and abiding, remaining in Christ is first by faith, and that true saving faith will always manifest in the life of all who are possessed by it. No man merits Christ’s righteousness. It’s only appropriated “by faith.”
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3:14
Not only can the disciple of Jesus be “without spot and blameless,” he’d better be if he wants to be with Christ eternally.
Excuses and those who choose to espouse them instead of truth, will be vanquished irrevocably into the fires of eternal damnation (Proverbs 28:13).
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“1 John 1:8 says ‘if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.’ That means right now, you and I have sin in us that we commit. So while we can say to others that walking in repentance is what needs to occur in their lives, we must also humble ourselves to the fact that our own repentance is faulty at best, tainted by mixed motives, and short lived, even if you or I do not go back to an actual sin. Every Word of God is true in the Bible and must be obeyed. And yet we, if we are heart-level honest with ourselves and God, are changed so little by His grace in respect to completely cutting off sin.”
REPLY:
We must not act as if one part of the divinely inspired words recorded in the book of 1 John is any more or less from God than the other parts of this book of the Bible.
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 1 John 3:10
Great biblical discussion for sure. You have to read the whole text of 1 John. Note in particular 2:4; and 3:1-10. Must be read as a complete text. Chapter 3 is quite (and by divine design) sobering. Being calvinized or indoctrinated by the eternal security heresy and heretics will definitely be an issue when someone is not willing to truly uphold God’s Word as final divine authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The only reason I would personally have any sin in my life would be that I have not confessed it, right? Yes. To say otherwise would be to say that He doesn’t keep His promise, that God is NOT “faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness” (1:9). –“If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). More of the whole Scripture: Jesus is coming back for who? – “a glorious church, NOT HAVING SPOT, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and WITHOUT BLEMISH” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
If Jesus’ blood doesn’t cleanse us from “ALL unrighteousness” we must wonder why this verse, this divine mandate would be found in Holy Scripture, right? “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from ALL filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). If it weren’t possible to cry out to God in true repentance and confession of all sin, it would seem odd to read the above verse.
Tell us all WHAT sin could possibly be on your record, against you, if in fact you have confessed all known sin? None. You are cleansed from “all unrighteousness” when you confess your sin (1 John 1:9). We have God’s guarantee on this. It seems that many have more faith in our sin than in the promise of God, than in the power of the cleansing blood of Jesus. Again, 1 John 1:7-10 must be interpreted with (considering) the whole of Holy Writ. “Without spot”:
“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:12-14).
Psalm 19:12-14
We can pray as David prayed to God in the spirit of being totally cleansed from all sin and acceptable to God.
“12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults (sins that we are not aware of).
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Another prayer to God by the psalmist for a clean heart:
Psalms 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
His Wife Hath Made Herself Ready [podcast]
Clearly, to say that God’s true remnant cannot be “without spot” – without the spot, the stain of sin, would be to call God a liar. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
“The truth concerning the new heavens and the new earth should deepen our desire to live holy ‘as to the Lord.’ It is not only a truth that we should hold but one that should hold us. Knowing that we shall soon stand before God should create within us a desire to be without spot and blameless, that is, to be morally clean. It should make us zealous to be found in a state of peace, not strife.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“2 Peter 3:14: Labour that whenever he cometh ye may be found in peace – May meet him without terror, being sprinkled with his blood, and sanctified by his Spirit, so as to be without spot and blameless. Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22.” John Wesley
So many false teachers have sown the lie, the excuse that we cannot live “without spot” that the majority of professing Christians live in defeat, they live in doubt that God is able to perform such. They do not hear or know the cross message of the original Gospel and therefore are not blessed to be raised up into the righteous life Christ died to give to all of His children. There is no victory over sin outside of the crucified life. Read Romans 6 each morning asking God to give you His revelation of the cross. | The Cross Life is where the Victory is!
“For he that is dead is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
WHO is “freed from sin”? The crucified saint! THAT’s exactly what’s missing in the modern church’s false gospel message.
So, to say that Jesus came to die for our sins and yet we can still live in those sins, seems to border on blasphemy, right? So Jesus came and died, was buried, and raised again from the dead for our sins and yet we can’t have His victory over those sins He died to save us from?
The Cross Life is where the Victory is!
The saving grace of Christ, when it’s truly possessed, brings forth HIS victory over all sin.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from ALL iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:11-14
Jesus made it clear that once saved, one must “endure to the end” to receive final salvation, entrance into glory. The person, the counterfeit who refuses to be truly accountable before God will angrily react to this truth and run back behind the veneer of their false security blanket.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:” Revelation 2:26
The forgiveness of future sins is conditional upon the abiding of the saved person. All sins were paid for on the cross and yet there are divinely mandated conditions for that forgiveness to be appropriated by the individual saint.
“But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
The cross-less want to make salvation a “one and done.” Not.
Future sins are paid for but not necessarily appropriated, forgiven. The forgiveness of future sins is conditional, not un-conditional.
Memorize: “But IF we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). … “the remission of sins that are PAST” – “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Romans 3:24-25).
The Forgiveness of our Sin Came at the Highest Price
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Did you catch this? – “Mercy” for immediate forgiveness and “grace,” divine enablement, the operational power of God in your life to overcome and be established in His holiness.
YOUR sin does not cancel God’s love for you. Such is impossible (Romans 8:38-39). From WHEREVER you find yourself at this moment…. seek the face of the LORD. Cry out to Him. He will hear and forgive, save, deliver, and make you whole – as He alone can do (Hosea 14:1-2; 1 John 1:9). Take God at His Word – He declared that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Read that again, and ask: Did God say He might think about forgiving us? NO! He declared that HE WILL DO IT. Simply take God at His Word. He promised this and made the full provision for it via the precious blood of His only begotten Son.
Falling upon His mercy afresh – re-penting, getting back to God, to the top – is where the refreshing comes.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;” Hebrews 2:3
O the glories of His precious redemption! | Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice [podcast]
“BUT brother, you don’t understand the sin I’ve committed.”
REPLY: I’ve probably done the same thing in the past.
Question: “Is your sin greater than the power of the precious blood of Jesus?” No.
Question: “Were you ever worthy to be forgiven?” No.
“How can God possibly forgive me?!”
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:31-34
You are going to dance on sin’s grave – you may not realize that yet, but that’s what’s ahead for you beloved…. as you simply come to and take God at His bless-ed Word….
YOU may be fighting. You may be struggling. You may be in the fight of your life – for your eternal soul. But keep praying precious. Keep asking. Keep knocking. Keep asking God to grant you HIS mercy and a heart that desires nothing more than Him. When you can’t see in the darkness, where there seems to be no light … Ask. Ask. Ask. Just ask Him! Whisper your prayer. He will hear and answer.
You cannot allow that sin which separates you from Him. You must fight by faith – by simply asking God to give you His mercy, His grace, His desire – to delight Him.
Don’t you dare slip over the edge. No. No. No. Ask Him beloved. Just ask Him….
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
O the “So Great Salvation” our LORD Wrought for us!
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” Hebrews 2:3
WHERE O WHERE is Our Faith?
Did God send His only begotten Son so that His own children would be relegated to be still stuck in their sins? Or did Jesus come and die and rise again from the dead to give us His full victory over all sin?
Do we have more faith in our sinning that we do in Christ’s power to grant us HIS victory over it?
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
At this point someone might be thinking “But what if I sin?” Answer: Just confess it, crying out to the LORD for grace – His divine operational power in your life – to overcome from that point onward! Do we not with Christ’s perfect sacrifice get mercy for any sins and grace to overcome? Yep! Coming “boldly unto the throne of grace” is an ongoing and ever active element in our life in Christ. We are exhorted to “ GROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Firstly, let it be established in our hearts that we – you and especially I – have no righteousness of our own other than “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).
Can the disciple of Jesus live with no sin on their record? Yes, by “HIS righteousness” and not by the work of the flesh.
Seems that understanding the fuller portrait of our LORD’s “so great salvation” is somewhat like putting the pieces of a puzzle together….. with each piece put into the whole, the picture becomes a bit clearer. Isn’t this why Jesus instructs us to “Search the scriptures” right? (John 5:39)
“Faith” is paramount in the Divine Economy – righteousness is instantly appropriated upon putting sincere faith in God based on HIS promises – namely of “His righteousness,” justification, and forgiveness of sins.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“His Righteousness” is appropriated “BY FAITH.”
We are saved, we are justified in His holy eyes by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:23-28
This is Key: Will I Cover or Will I Confess All, Every Sin?
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, please set me apart in Your holiness – to be holy even as You are holy. Multiply Your grace to bless this life You gave to be dead and buried with Christ and raised up by Christ to fulfill Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
Man Shall not Live by Bread Alone [podcast]
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
Spiritual growth occurs when we ingest the words of God, embrace, incorporate, and walk them out.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”Psalms 33:11
The graphic message below is from a dear sister in Christ named Cassandra, on SubStack:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16
YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, thank You for finding and forgiving me and saving me into Your eternal family. Help me realize the utter importance of feeding on Your Word daily. I love You dear LORD Jesus. Help me to love You more LORD. Help me to feed, to nourish the members of Your body with Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
The Prayer Life of Jesus [podcast]
Prayer is communion, communing with God. Those who earnestly seek God in prayer, who earnestly seek to know Him and to fulfill His will for their temporary lives in this world…. will glorify Him here and to be with Him eternally.
What do we learn from the prayer life of our LORD Jesus?
“Luke 5:16 PRAYERS OF JESUS. Luke stresses more than the other gospels the place of prayer in the life and work of Jesus. When the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at the Jordan, He was ‘praying’ (3:21), at times He withdrew from the multitudes ‘and prayed (5:16); ‘and He continued all night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples (6:12). He was ‘alone praying’ before He asked His disciples an important question (9:18); at His transfiguration He climbed the mountain ‘to pray’ (9:28); the actual transfiguration occurred while ‘he prayed’ (9:29); and He ‘was praying’ just before He taught the disciple’s the Lord’s Prayer (11:1). In Gethsemane He ‘prayed more earnestly’ (22:44); on the cross He prayed for others (23:34); and His last words uttered before His death were a prayer (23:46). Luke also mentions that He prayed after His resurrection (24:30).
In examining the life of Jesus in the other Gospels, we note that He prayed before extending the invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour …’ (Mat. 11:25-28); He prayed at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:41-42), for Peter (Luke 22:32), and during the institution of the Lord’s Supper (John 17).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23
“14:23 PRAY ALONE. While on earth, Jesus often sought time to be alone with God (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18; 22:41-42; Heb. 5:7). Time alone with God is essential to the spiritual well-being of every believer. We must continually remember that the lack of desire for solitary prayer to our heavenly Father is an unmistakable sign that the spiritual life within us is in a process of decline. If this is happening, we must turn from all that offends the Lord and renew our commitment to persevere in seeking God and His saving grace.” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Luke 18:1
“18:1 MEN OUGHT ALWAYS TO PRAY. Jesus was frequently concerned that His followers pray continually in order to accomplish God’s will for their lives. From this parable of the widow who persevered we learn several things; (1) We must persevere in prayer with regard to all matters until Jesus returns (vv 7-8; Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). (2) In this life we have an adversary (v. 3), Satan (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer can protect us from the evil one (Mat. 6:13). (3) In our prayers we should cry out against sin and for justice (v 7). (4) Persistent prayer is counted as faith (v. 8). (5) In the final days before the return of Christ, there will be increased diabolical opposition to the prayers of the faithful (1 Tim. 4:1). Because of Satan and the pleasures of the world many will cease having a persistent prayer life (8:14; Mat. 13:22; Mark 4:19).” Life in the Spirit Study Bible
SUMMATION you might ask?
Following Jesus by living a life of prayer with the Father and Himself – living your life in complete submission to and dependency upon the LORD …. daily declaring with John the Baptist that “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” John 5:30
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Be persistent. Be relentless – in praying, communing with your God!
Read aloud, begin to memorize and live out:
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
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Articles
IS DOUBTING YOUR SALVATION ALWAYS A BAD THING? [podcast]
Making Sure We are Truly Saved While We Still Can
Obviously, the assurance of salvation should concern each and every one of us.
“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” 1 Corinthians 11:31-32
Notice “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” Note that those who honestly assess and amend their ways in the LORD will not be judged with the wicked. Those who don’t, will be. They will fall away and not endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39; 2 Peter 2:20-21, etc.).
Are you judging yourself, testing and discerning your life against Holy Scripture?
“Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” Proverbs 28:5
Counterfeits refuse to judge their actual fruit, their lives. They want the assurance of eternal glory with no responsibility of actual repentance and an abiding, obedient relationship with the Savior they claim. They want the crown without the cross. They do not wish to be bothered with truly engaging in an abiding relationship with Jesus on His stated terms but rather seek to use Him to get them out of hell. Jesus tells all who’ve been saved that abiding, remaining in Him to the end of their lives is essential to eternity with Him (John 15:6, etc.).
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Is believing the biblical truth that a saved person can backslide, fall away, and forfeit their place with God (lose salvation) a bad thing? No. It’s only a bad thing in the minds of those who want to live on their own depraved, self-serving terms while deluding themselves into thinking they are going to God’s holy Heaven.
WHY are we so afraid of doubting if we are truly saved – born again AND presently abiding in Christ? (John 15:1-6). It will be too late when we die which could be today. Think about this. NOW is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2) and so today is the day to honestly examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:31-32; 2 Corinthians 13:5). Please read the LORD’s book of Ezekiel. You will discover many divine treasures in this magnificent volume. Share this message if you wish to help others.
“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps
“LORD Jesus, please grant me the Holy Fear of God!” should be the daily prayer of every true saint.
“Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11
I told someone recently that I love listening to a preacher or reading Scripture that can make me doubt my salvation because it further quickens my spirit in the fear of God to scamper to the feet of Jesus afresh.
Assurance of salvation and how it possesses the authentic disciple and not the counterfeit.
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:19-21
As we see in the passage above, assurance of salvation fills the hearts of all born again believers are who working out their own salvation with fear and trembling.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13
There are conditions the LORD requires to procure and walk in His blessings.
Assurance of salvation is biblical. Eternal security is not. The idea that one is eternally secure no matter what they do after being saved, is a lie from hell. Jesus told us that among those He saves, any who don’t abide, continue with Him, will be cast into the fire (John 15:6).
The lack of a clear conscience, the lack of assurance in one’s heart, is due to the lack of present abiding, obedience. All who are Christ’s and presently abiding, are filled with the assurance of His salvation. Read John 15.
Wolves among us, when addressing assurance, nearly never speak of the personal responsibility God gives to all He saves – to obey Him (John 14:15, 21-23, etc.). When one lacks assurance, it’s only because they have chosen to lack obeying the Savior (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Jude 3-4).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
WHAT ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE DOUBTS THAT YOU ARE TRULY SAVED?
When a true believer in Jesus Christ questions someone’s salvation, it is in no way to be rude, but rather out of godly concern. Jesus told us to “know” (discern) people “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). Good “fruit” (produce) can only come forth from the born again, abiding disciple of Jesus. Good fruit comes forth from a real relationship with Christ (John 15). One must know Him and that begins at the moment of true repentance and faith (Acts 20:21).
If the overall fruit of someone’s life is not that which the Bible teaches is consistent with truly knowing Jesus and having been regenerated, then there should be concern.
There are some among us who violently object to doubting someone’s salvation, Yet, based on the biblical mandate to “know” (discern) others “by their fruits,” this will happen at times (Matthew 7:16, 20). When a professing Christian’s salvation is doubted based upon lack of good fruit to prove it, some become irate with a “How dare you doubt my/that person’s salvation! Just who are you to do such a thing!?” But wait a minute – didn’t Jesus instruct us to “know” others based on their “fruits”? (Matthew 7:16, 20). And if there are no counterfeits who pose as Christ’s people, why did Jesus say that there are chaff among the wheat? (Matthew 13). Yes He did and so why are we surprised if some of those around us are found to be lost even though they think they are saved? And yes the chaff are going to be separated by the angels in the end but for now Jesus told us to discern (to distinguish between) or to “know” them “by their fruits” and that’s done by fruit inspection.
One man said that he believed that over 90% of church goers in America have never been genuinely born again as we “must be” in order to be brought into God’s kingdom (John 3:3, 7).
Repentance is where and when regeneration happens. In the modern church world, such a foundational biblical doctrine is rarely mentioned much less preached or correctly taught to define what it is and bring conviction to the hearers. In the vast majority of churches today, salvation is never or seldom presented. So how can the sinner respond in repentance and be saved? Is it any wonder so few are saved? People are rarely if ever called to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ today as they were publicly called to do by the apostles of Jesus (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
There are some people who hang around with the Christian body that I just never got a peace about. There doesn’t seem to be the presence of the divine Person of the Holy Spirit and therefore the fruit He alone can produce is absent (Galatians 5:22-23). One must be born again and given a new nature by the LORD or we are not His. When this conversion takes place, there will be good fruit (Matthew 3:7-10).
Should we float people all the way into hell instead of helping make sure they have truly repented and been born again? Is that love or hatred?
If someone questions our salvation, how should we react? How about this way: “Well, thank you for being concerned about my eternal soul. I am open and willing to investigate (biblically) the possibility that I may not have truly repented (laid down my life) and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Or, since He saved me in the past, perhaps I have backslidden and no longer know Him due to allowing sin in my life.”
HONEST CONCERN VERSUS CRUEL CONDEMNATION
There are going to be children of the enemy that will come in and attempt to confuse and to derail you by doubting that you are saved. They do this to bring “confusion and every evil work” instead of “godly edifying” (James 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:4).
David, the man after God’s own heart, was often persecuted by the wicked, his place with God being the central attack of the enemy.
“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? … As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” Psalms 42:3, 10
Those who are His have the “witness” of His Spirit in them:
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16
Why are you bothered when someone else doubts your salvation? Do you have the bearing witness of the Holy Spirit as a witness in your heart? (Romans 8:16). If you are assured by God (not self or mere man) of your salvation, why would you be concerned if someone else doubted it? Can you say with Paul “nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”? (2 Timothy 1:12). Did God not say that we who have and are believing the record He gave of His Son have HIS “witness” within us?
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13These things have I written unto you that 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.” 1 John 5:9-13
David told us that our “sentence” comes from the LORD Himself not man:
“Let my sentence (verdict) come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” Psalms 17:2
The Hebrew word that is translated “sentence” here means: act of deciding a case, decision, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), sentence of formal decree.
By reason of creation, God Himself is the only One who can determine judicially that one is righteous or unrighteous, just or unjust, justified or not justified. The Almighty is the only One qualified to sentence any individual to Heaven or hell. Either He approves of us or He disapproves of us (Ezekiel 18:4).
“STRONG CONFIDENCE”
“In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” Proverbs 14:26-27
The key to having “strong confidence” and escaping “the snares of death,” is fearing God.
God’s Word tells us that “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalms 19:9). The heart that truly fears God is made “clean” from any doubt and has full and “strong confidence” or assurance and strength of conviction.
The key is being with Jesus – being in Christ. Jesus told us that those who are “with” Him are His and all others are “against” Him (Matthew 12:30). The whole of Holy Scripture is the very testimony of God and we can plainly observe that being presently and truly “in Christ” is the determining factor.
The Father spoke from Heaven audibly, declaring of Christ, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). ALL who are presently in Christ, are well pleasing to God – justified, sentenced and declared righteous. Justification, to be declared righteous by God, is always “by faith” (Romans 3:21-5:17; Hebrews 11:4-7).
Ultimately, your “sentence” or sentencing comes forth from God alone who is the only Judge of your eternal soul. In light of this, Paul writes:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34
According to the whole counsel of God’s Word, believers in Jesus Christ – those who genuinely turn to God in repentance, placing their faith in Jesus Christ – have been shown mercy by God. This gift of eternal life was made possible through the finished and perfect work of the One sinless, perfect Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who bled on the cross, was buried, and rose again from the dead. He is “the Son of God with power.”
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Romans 1:4
Being rooted and grounded in God’s love is so very important to being “sound in the faith,” having a “sound heart” and a “sound mind” (Proverbs 14:30; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 1:13). This all comes from learning and believing “sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9; 2:1).
GOING DEEP
Heeding the apostle Paul’s exhortation to all those whom the LORD has saved, is essential to an ever-deepening, abiding, assured place with the LORD.
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7
Only going on to perfection (spiritual maturity) by learning and obeying the truth of God can make one free from doubting that He is God’s child (Hebrews 5:11-6:3).
“As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. … 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:30-32, 36
As the born again disciple of Christ continues to walk in the light of truth with Jesus, He is kept in Christ and assured of salvation.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7
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