"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word". Psalm 119:11
Salvation ~ Our Real Hope
Are you saved?
You may be thinking to yourself...saved...'saved from what'? Well, consider this, if you were to die today, do you know without a doubt where you would be going? If your answer is NO... find consolation in knowing you are not alone, and neither are you here by accident.
More than likely, you were led here by God's spirit. Especially, if you've been praying to God to reveal himself to you, seeking his will for your life. In this case, rest assured you are here by divine appointment. Matt 7:7
Through immeasurable love God has provided a way of salvation for you ...SAVING you not only from death but eternal damnation and hellfire as well. 2Corinthians 6:2b says, "...now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of SALVATION."
Once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, putting all faith and trust in him for your life...you are SAVED from your sins that would have led to your eternal damnation and death but now you will inherit eternal life. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Belief and trust in Christ puts one in a SAVED state, but is it possible to lose your saved status? Some believe no, saying once saved always saved. However, what does the bible really say regarding this matter. Matthew 24:13 says clearly "He that ENDURES to the end will be SAVED".
Also, Jesus said many are on the road to destruction because that road is wide, it's a road that allows you the room to do your own thing, seeking the comforts of this world. On the other hand the narrow road is the only road that leads to LIFE and FEW are on this road.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it". Matt 7:13-14 NIV
Once saved always saved is one of the doctrines of demons the bible warns us about. 2Tim 4:3 For good reason Jesus said, this means eternal life, their taking in KNOWLEDGE of you the only true God and the one whom you have sent forth, Jesus Christ. See John 17:3 Therefore, we must read the word of God to know God's truth of who he is and what his will is for our life.
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear". 2Tim 4:3 NIV
The bible says clearly that one can lose their salvation because it says their name can be erased from the book of life. Also Jesus says, many will say in that day, I prophesied in your name, expelled demons in your name, etc but he will tell them, get away from me you worker of iniquity, I never knew you. Compare Rev 3:5, and Matthew 7:21-23
That being said, the truth is there will be times of testing and trying of one's faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 says, we must "fight the good fight of faith." Therefore, those of faith will have works to support their faith because without works, faith is dead. As James says, Abraham's faith was supported by his offering of Isaac. Rahab's faith was proved through her assisting the spies of the land.
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only". James 2:20-24 KJV
FAITH IS PROVED BY ITS WORKS, clearly the two work together hand in hand, yet faith is a gift just as much as the gift of grace. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8 KJV
On the other side of the coin, salvation by works is another doctrine by demons. Our works cannot save us. Our works only prove to God our love and dedication to him. If we claim to truly sincerely love God, and its merely a fraction of how much Jesus loved the Father, there will be some evident fruit in our life to substantiate our claim. Our works will come naturally because of our LOVE and APPRECIATION for the gifts of God, knowing he loved us enough to die for us while we were yet sinners.
If you lack faith, pray and ask God for it. Matt 7:7 We must endure, holding up during these times of trial and testing until the end of our earthly life or Christ's return... whichever comes first. In the end, eternal life means our salvation which is a gift from God, for we can't earn our own salvation.
And furthermore, Jesus will come for his saints, bringing the reward of eternal life with him. You will remain in this saved state as long as you endure and don't shrink back, fall away or rebel against the one true and living God. Before you accepted Christ as your Saviour you were considered as being lost.
Going back to the world is the same as not enduring and shrinking back which puts one back into the "lost" category. "But we are not among those who shrink back and so are LOST, but among those who have faith and so are SAVED." Hebrews 10:39 NRSV Knowing Christ as your Lord and Saviour removes the blinders off of your eyes. John 12:46 says, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness". NIV He gives us his light. .
So I ask you again, are you saved? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, having put your faith and trust in him to guide your life, then you have been saved. Jesus is the Way the truth and the life. John 14:6 He is the way to the one true living God. The key is to remain steadfast and not give in or give up...abide in him and he will abide in you.
As we abide in him we come to know him and the Father intimately. Walking in his light brings us into line for the abundant life Jesus promised for life now and eternal life to come. See John 10:10 , John 17:3
If you would like to now accept the free gift of Salvation...eternal life in heaven with God the Father, his only begotten Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit... now is the appointed time to do so, this is your time.....repeat this prayer (out loud if circumstances permit)....
Salvation Prayer:
Heavenly Father....Today I place my faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ ...who is your only begotten, who is now my Lord, Saviour and King. Please take full reign over my life Lord as I surrender my life completely into your hands and repent of my sins. Wholeheartedly, I seek your will and purpose for my life. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I believe that Jesus died, was buried and was resurrected, and who now sits at your right hand Father God in heaven. I trust in Jesus blood sacrifice to wipe my life's slate clean of all my sins, past, present and future... bringing me into a holy and righteous standing before you heavenly Father.
I promise to read the word daily to study it diligently making sure of all things as well as to share the salvation message with others. Out of a grateful heart I humbly accept my inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for me. 1Pet 1: 4 KJV In Jesus name I do pray. Amen
If you just prayed this salvation prayer for the first time giving your life to Christ...this is undoubtedly the most precious and special moment in time for you and nothing could be more exciting! Or perhaps you just prayed the above prayer as a renewal commitment to God after having strayed away ...that is equally exciting and good news for you! Whatever the case may be, know that all of heaven is rejoicing with you along with all of your brothers and sisters in Christ as you have taken your stand for God and Christ...Hallelujah!!!
To God be all the glory!!!!!! Know that it's just the beginning of a challenging yet exciting life for you. Now that you have joined the race for life, run to win the prize. Actually the race has already been won by Jesus...we must simply stay in the race and make it to the finish line to claim our prize which is guaranteed by the blood of Jesus!!!! Call someone and tell them about your decision, this is a way of making a public declaration of your faith.
The prize God has in store for each one of us makes the challenges all worthwhile. Even though God doesn't promise it will be an easy road, he does promise to deliver us out of any and all trials and afflictions that may come along the way. One of God's provisions readily available to you is through the body of Christ, the church. Through the church we can encourage one another building one another up in the faith.
We all share similar tests and trials that come along with giving ones life to Christ but remember for the JOY up ahead Christ suffered on the cross for us while we were yet sinners. In appreciation for what he has done for us through his suffering for us ...we too must share in his suffering while keeping our eyes on the PRIZE and the JOY up ahead as he did. So keep looking up...up to HEAVEN , a place where there is no sorrow, no pain nor death, a place where we will spend all eternity in the very presence of God. Glory be to God!!!!!!
Hope Devotions Ministry is here to help you stay on the road to life by encouraging you to never give up. We would be happy to help you find a bible centered church home where you can receive loving pastoral care and attention with biblical counseling, guidance and direction. You will learn about all the blessings and benefits that belong to all christians in due time through your church attendance and personal bible study. Your church home will provide a safe haven from a world steeped in dense darkness.
Experience upbuilding association with the people of God. This is of the utmost importance in staying in the race for life. Compare Hebrews 10:24-25 Please tell us about your experience by sending us a message in as few or as many words that you would like about your receiving Christ as your personal saviour or perhaps about your return to Christ after having fallen away. This certainly is a life changing experience and we would like to celebrate along with you. Click here to send us a message.
Thank you and God bless you!!
Hope Devotions Ministry
