Are you saved?

 

These three little one-syllable words pose the biggest question of all time that anyone ever faces.

 

I imagine that most people reading or contributing here on FiveDoves are saved.  I imagine also that we all know people who think they are saved, but their actions don’t indicate it. 

 

FiveDoves is an Ezekiel 33 ministry.  As watchmen, we not only warn of the coming judgment, but we hope to save people from the judgment – to turn them from their wicked ways and be saved.  (Ezekiel 33:11)

 

In light of this, I thought I would share this here…  I wrote it for family members some time ago to challenge their beliefs and to counter false faiths or “easy believe-ism” with true saving faith.

 

It is sort of a two-part progression: to progressively draw people in with interest, and then to back up my assertions with Scripture (so the first set of assertions is repeated later with Scripture quotes).

 

Please feel free to share this with anyone, both for their salvation and to share with others.  No doubt, this isn’t a perfect work (created just by a man), but it encourages people to turn to the Bible to seek answers and to find salvation through the Word of God.

 

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 

The only thing about this progression is that you might want to omit the title “Are You Saved?” before sharing it, because that would give away the question too soon.  (You’ll see this after the first several lines.)  You might want to call it “What’s the most important thing in your life?” (But even that title triggers spam filters in email.  Beware the spam filters!)

 

I also have this saved on my church’s website as a Word document:

http://www.soldotnabiblechapel.org/images/10000/3000/455SO/user/AreYouSaved.doc

 

What is the most important question in your life?  Is it…

Do you have a good career?  No.

Did you save up for retirement?  No.

Do you have enough money for retirement after the crash?  No.

Do you have good health insurance?  No.

Is the mortgage paid off?  No.

Do you have a good house to live in?  No.

 

Or, how about just the basics of life…

Do you have good health?  No.

Food?  Clothing?  Shelter?

No.  No.  No.

 

 

So what is the most important question in your life?

I’ll give you a hint:  The question has only three one-syllable words in it…

Ok, I’ll give you another hint:  Many people literally won’t be able to read past the next hint because the whole subject offends them; and the answer to the question is a definite “NO”.

In fact, such people are deceived.

And such people won’t even listen to the truth.

Ok, I’ll give you another hint: it has to do with eternity.

Ok, here’s the question:

Are you saved?  Many people think they are but are not.

If you don’t read any further because this idea makes you uncomfortable, then you probably are not saved.

The way to be saved is simple enough that a child can get it, and elusive enough that an adult won’t.*

If you think you can live as you want to without consequence, think again.

If you think you are saved because you try to obey the law, think again.

If you think because you are righteous, you will get into heaven, think again.

If you think you are saved because you are a good person, think again.

Many people think they will get into heaven, but won’t.

Did you know that those words above are the scariest words ever written?

If you think you don’t need to be saved, think again.

If you think you never sin, think again.

If you think sin is no big deal, think again.

Ok, if you are still reading this; it gets harder, because your faith is now being tested.

If you think that going to church on Sunday is enough, think again.

If you think you are saved just because you believe there is one God, think again.

If you believe in God, but not in Jesus Christ, you are in deep, deep trouble.

If you think you are saved just because you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, think again.  Even devils know this.

If you believe in Jesus Christ, but are ashamed to declare it publicly, you are in deep trouble.

If you think you are saved just because you say you know Jesus Christ, think again.

If you think you are saved, but don’t think that following God’s commands are necessary, think again.

If you think that following all of God’s commands is impossible, you are right.

If you think you are saved, but you still hate your brother (or fellow man), think again.

If you are starting to get worried and wondering if you are saved, that’s a good start.

If it seems impossible to be saved by your own effort, you are right.

But God provided a way, because He loves you (and I mean you individually and personally).

And He offered us a gift of salvation.

So, there is a way to salvation, but it is often not understood.

There is a way to be saved, but it is often not recognized.

What does this cross have to do with salvation?

You see, it is through Jesus Christ.

And only through Jesus Christ that we are saved.

Knowing that Jesus Christ is God.

So, how do you get saved by this?

You get saved by faith – but not just any faith.

You get saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that He died for your sins (and I mean yours personally).

You get saved by faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that you are justified before God only by this profound faith.

You get saved by this faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing and declaring that Jesus is Lord to you, knowing that God raised Him from the dead.

And in this faith, you are born again.

And in your salvation by this faith, the Holy Spirit works within you to sanctify you.

And you recognize that you belong to God and so you desire to live for Him because Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price – dying on the Cross – for your salvation.

And as a new creation in Christ, you are internally motivated to do good works.

You cannot justify yourself before God (or get saved) by works.  You are only justified (saved) by faith in Christ.

And although you are not working for salvation, you are doing good works because you are saved.

And because you are saved, you want to love God, serve Him, live for him, and keep his commandments.

Because you love God, His commandments are not a burden but are instead your highest desire and motivation.

And in gratefulness and thanksgiving to God, you want to follow His Word.

And you want to follow Jesus Christ.

And although you presently give mental assent (believing these facts), the test of your true faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is that you hold steadfast your faith and you endure to the end.

And you want to share the Hope of your salvation with others.

And you are motivated to do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Read on…  These weren’t my ideas.  Every assertion is from the true Word of God:

What is the most important question in your life?  Is it…

Do you have a good career?  No.

Did you save up for retirement?  No.

Do you have enough money for retirement after the crash?  No.

Do you have good health insurance?  No.

Is the mortgage paid off?  No.

Do you have a good house to live in?  No.

 

Or, how about just the basics of life…

Do you have good health?  No.

Food?  Clothing?  Shelter?

No.  No.  No.

 

 

So what is the most important question in your life?

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

 

I’ll give you a hint:  The question has only three one-syllable words in it…

 

 Ok, I’ll give you another hint:  Many people literally won’t be able to read past the next hint because the whole subject offends them; and the answer to the question is a definite “NO”.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 

In fact, such people are deceived.

2Th 2:10  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

 

And such people won’t even listen to the truth.

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 

Ok, I’ll give you another hint:

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Ok, here’s the question:

Are you saved?  Many people think they are but are not.

Luk 13:24  Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

 

If you don’t read any further because this idea makes you uncomfortable, then you probably are not saved.

1Jn 2:19  They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

 

The way to be saved is simple enough that a child can get it, and elusive enough that an adult won’t.*

Mat 18:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 

If you think you can live as you want to without consequence, think again.

Gal 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

If you think you are saved because you try to obey the law, think again.

Gal 2:16b  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

If you think because you are righteous, you will get into heaven, think again.

Pro 14:12  There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

 

If you think you are saved because you are a good person, think again.

Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

 

Many people think they will get into heaven, but won’t.

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

Did you know that those words above are the scariest words ever written?

Mat 10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

If you think you don’t need to be saved, think again.

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

 

If you think you never sin, think again.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

If you think sin is no big deal, think again.

Rom 6:23a  For the wages of sin is death;

 

Ok, if you are still reading this; it gets harder, because your faith is now being tested.

Php 2:12b  work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

2Co 13:5a  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.

 

If you think that going to church on Sunday is enough, think again.

Rev 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

 

If you think you are saved just because you believe there is one God, think again.

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

 

If you believe in God, but not in Jesus Christ, you are in deep, deep trouble.

2Jn 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

 

If you think you are saved just because you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, think again.  Even devils know this:

Mar 5:7  And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

 

If you believe in Jesus Christ, but are ashamed to declare it publicly, you are in deep trouble.

Mat 10:32-33  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

 

If you think you are saved just because you say you know Jesus Christ, think again.

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

 

If you think you are saved, but don’t think that following God’s commands are necessary, think again.

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

 

If you think that following all of God’s commands is impossible, you are right.

Mat 19:25-6  When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

If you think you are saved, but you still hate your brother (or fellow man), think again.

1Jn 2:9  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

 

If you are starting to get worried and wondering if you are saved, that’s a good start.

Mat 5:3  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

If it seems impossible to be saved by your own effort, you are right.

Eph 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

But God provided a way, because He loves you (and I mean you individually and personally).

Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

And He offered us a gift of salvation.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

So, there is a way to salvation, but it is often not understood.

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

 

There is a way to be saved, but it is often not recognized.

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

What does this cross have to do with salvation?

Rom 3:24-5  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  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;

 

You see, it is through Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

And only through Jesus Christ that we are saved.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

Knowing that Jesus Christ is God.

1Co 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

 

So, how do you get saved by this?

Romans 10:8a  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:

 

You get saved by faith – but not just any faith.

Romans 10:8b  that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

 

You get saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that He died for your sins (and I mean yours personally).

1Pe 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

 

You get saved by faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that you are justified before God only by this profound faith.

Gal 2:16a  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,

 

You get saved by this faith in Jesus Christ, recognizing and declaring that Jesus is Lord to you, knowing that God raised Him from the dead.

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

And in this faith, you are born again.

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Eph 4:23-24  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

And in your salvation by this faith, the Holy Spirit works within you to sanctify you.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Co 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

And you recognize that you belong to God and so you desire to live for Him because Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price – dying on the Cross – for your salvation.

1Co 6:19-20  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

And as a new creation in Christ, you are internally motivated to do good works.

2Co 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.

Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

You cannot justify yourself before God (or get saved) by works.  You are only justified (saved) by faith in Christ.

Gal 2:16b   even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

 

And although you are not working for salvation, you are doing good works because you are saved.

Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

And because you are saved, you want to love God, serve Him, live for Him, and keep His commandments.

Mar 12:30-31  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 

Because you love God, His commandments are not a burden but are instead your highest desire and motivation.

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

 

And in gratefulness and thanksgiving to God, you want to follow His Word.

Luk 11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

 

And you want to follow Jesus Christ.

Luk 9:23-24  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

 

And although you presently give mental assent (believing these facts), the test of your true faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is that you hold steadfast your faith and you endure to the end.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

1Co 1:7b-8a  our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;

 

And you want to share the Hope of your salvation with others.

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

 

And you are motivated to do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

 &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 

 

*This path (above) was written for the adult.  The way of salvation eludes them.  The simplicity of the way is shown below for the child within us who is not deluded by years of ego-building pride and self-reliance.

Mat 18

:3  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:4  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

 

You are a sinner and without God’s help, you will never get to heaven and be with God.

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

 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

 

Joh 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth [from the grave]; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

Joh 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

 

1Co 2:2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

 

 

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

 

Joh 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

 

 

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

Rom 3:22a  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: