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Saint, Let me offer something that will really help a new Christian, and hopefully be a nice tune up for a pre-existing believer in Yeshua. So, if you want Light from God, then you have to get this revelation inside you, first, that im going to show you. This one..... You have to get this one....in the beginning of your walk with Christ... ..You absolutely must get this revelation of the Grace of God, or you will never be able to move deeper into the Light of the word of God as found in the New Testament. Questions ::: Have you ever wondered why there are a gazillion denominations, that all use a Bible, yet none of them agree? Have you ever wondered why there is no "unity" in the Body of Christ, no "same mind", within the worldwide world of all believers? Do you want to know why? Its because this verse posted next, is not known to most believers, and until it is known, and followed by ALL, there will never be any total unity between Christians in the world, on a forum, or between 2 Churches that are on the same STREET. The verse : Hebrews 13:9 : """"" Be not carried away with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. """ This verse teaches and explains what happened to the Body Of Christ, regarding why you have a ridiculous number of denominations that all disagree regarding "church doctrine". Its simple..... you have to get the foundation LAID PROPERLY< before you can build the HOUSE correctly, so that there is harmony and unity between all Believers in Yeshua Now notice that this verse teaches that "diverse/strange doctrines, and meats", are all the same idea....... And the verse explains what will happen if your heart, (eyes of your understanding).. that receives the light of Revelation", ) is not FIRST ESTABLISHED with GRACE.. = (The understanding regarding God's freely given Righteousness.) What happens is that all who are not established within their Heart by GRACE, will be carried away, caught up, confused by, and lost inside of HERESY.... Which is "divers and STRANGE Doctrine/meats", and there as so many of these around. So many churches built upon them... Millions of Believers caught up in them.... And only because they were not grounded in GRACE, early in their Christian Beginnings. Now, i recognize that some of you are already yawning, as you are an expert in Grace, regarding understanding this central principal of the redemptive work of Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross, and THANK YOU JESUS< that many of you, long ago, "got the revelation". However, and for the benefit of those who didnt and have lived their entire born again lives, so far, trying to earn God's approval by self effort...(Legalism)..> Let me show you why you are already Approved By God, so that you can stop trying to become what you have already become, that God's Grace has already MADE YOU. As you read your bible, you will run across this phrase a lot. "made unto you", and this is a Key Phrase that will help you understand that everything that God has done for you, Thru the Blood of Jesus, has been "made unto you" when you were born again......That is to say... God has REMADE YOU TO BE. Got it? See, Salvation is to be Literally and Spiritually "made into" something BY GOD, that you were not before. Many NT Verses explain this as being "translated from darkness to Light". becoming a "child of the Light". "as Jesus is So are WE on this Earth", " heir with God"... "joint heir with Christ". "New CREATION in Christ", "bone of Jesus bones and flesh of Jesus's flesh"...and on and on. So, you have to see that you have become something by NEW BIRTH that you were not before you were born again, as this is the eternal effect of God's 'made unto you" CHANGE from "Lost" to "saved" , from Christ rejector to "Child of God", from "damned" to "Saint". Now, lets get an understanding of where you go to get what you need to know... You have to know where to look to find what you need to learn. You dont just flip open a New Testament and hope for the best, as that is a waste of time. So, this means we must go to where you find all the info, the doctrinal info, that God wants you to study. Read a paperback. Study a bible. Books are for entertainment. Bibles are for gaining God's Knowledge. The Bible is full of Light. Study is how you turn on the Light for Life. Its the "ON" switch. To do this, you run directly to Paul's epistles. And the reason? Its because Paul's pen, is the direct descendant of the doctrinal information that came straight from the mouth of Jesus The Christ. Paul is the only disciple and the only Apostle whom Jesus personally took aside for a long time, and instructed into him regarding the "first hand" information that rightly divides the Word. You dont get the ultra-fine doctrinal details from Jude, or James, or Mark, or Peter. You get your Bible Doctrine, your Church Doctrine, your lifelong Theolgy from Paul, who received it directly from the Lord, himself. So, what i teach, is what Paul would teach you. As this is what any true Teacher of the Word of God is going to tell you, and teach you. Now, here is a golden nugget for you. If you want to know exactly what Paul wants you to know, that Jesus taught Him, then of course you read all his epistles. Thats a no-brainer... But, and here is what your Pastor, Minister, Pope, and commentary never told you....If you want to know exactly what Paul is going to teach someone in person, a literal disciple of His, then you go and read Timothy 1 & 2, and Titus.. As they are both Paul's converts. So, just become one of Paul's converts, ideally, by reading what he taught Timothy and Titus., as well as what he teaches the Church at large, in his Epistles. As a matter of Fact, if you are called to Teach or Preach or Pastor, then you need to live inside Timothy and Titus and all of Paul's epistles for a while........like in, .......a lifetime. So what does Paul teach about Grace? Well, he teaches that Sin has separated us from God. And this is an eternal problem for each of us, that if not solved, will cause us to end up after we die, separated from God in Eternity. Currently, if you are not born again, you are separated from God by your sin. However, as compared to ending up in Hell then the Lake of Fire, being alive down here and separated from God, is not quit the same level of consequence. So, this problem that we are all born into, has been solved by God. And its Paul who, in the New Testament, teaches us best and most often about the wonderful love of God as expressed as The Grace of God. Salvation, Eternal Life, Redemption, Jesus dying on the Cross, are all an extension of the Love of God as reflected in the Grace of God. The central issue and subject of the New Testament, is RIGHTEOUSNESS. And the central issue between a human being and God is their lack of righteousness and how to get it. God is often accused, falsely, of "sending people to hell", But in fact, its a lack of Righteousness that is the reason that a person will not live eternally where God lives. Hell and Heaven are simply final destinations. They are Eternal choices that someone is going to make, by receiving or by rejecting Christ. One is the home for the Righteous and one is the place that maintains the unrighteous dead, until they meet their final destination. So, this issue of how to get righteousness, is only a problem that God can solve. Our New Testament says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's righteousness. So, right there, ends any method or means of saving ourselves or keeping ourselves saved. You've noted that on a Christian Forum you always find a busload of heretics trying to make you believe that you are in control of your righteousness, and that you can earn it, and keep it...otherwise you LOSE IT The fact is, you have no Righteousness apart from Christ's because your sinning eliminated your righteousness long ago, and you can never have it again, unless someone gives you theirs. Enter, God. Enter, Jesus. Enter, The Cross. as all these have come to give you Righteousness. ALL this im writing is simply what Paul teaches. He is the Main NT teacher regarding the understanding of the Grace of God as the love of God given by God coming to this earth to meet all the requirements of the law and then die offering us HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, for our sin. Jesus did more on the Cross then just suffer, bleed, and die. He literally became your SIN. 2nd Corinthians 5:21... and If you are born again, then your sin was lifted from you, erased for you, and in its place, you have received "The Righteousness of Christ". Salvation is Christ on a cross becoming your sin and bearing it, sacrificially, so that you will never be judged for it, in eternity. Being SAVED, means you are saved from being Judged in Eternity for your SIN...... Christ bore all your sin, by becoming your sin.... and you were given as a gift, His Righteousness. Maybe sometime you can think about this... God came down from heaven, to become your sin as well as your sin bearer and in doing so He became your Savior.. Jesus said. "Father if possible, let this cup pass from me".. And that cup, is God's wrath, his eternal judgment, poured out on HIMSELF on your behalf. And that my reader, is The Love of God as well as Amazing Grace. <B><

Before reading, just know that is a long text, and may seem like something ridiculous and not needing to bother with to most of y'all, but this means a lot to me, and I keep hoping to find answers, but can't find any, so that's why I'm here... Hey, Everyone! I am fairly new to this Forum and excited to be a part of it! I was born into the faith, and have been a Christian my entire life (I'm 17 years old, lol). It wasn't until around I was about 12 or 13, though, that I began to become more interested in Christianity and the Bible, and at the age of 15, I discovered Apologetics, which helped me retain my faith that I was struggling with at the time. Thanks to that, I now have learned much more about Christianity than I ever thought I would, and I am so happy to know that Christ is Lord and that I am a Follower of Him! So y'all are probably wondering "what does any of this have to do with Tupac Shakur, as named in the title?" Well, that's where the questions come in. For any who don't know, Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) was a rapper who went by the stage names MC New York, 2Pac, and Makaveli. He was born in New York, and then moved to Maryland where he attended the Baltimore Academy of Arts (I believe that's what it is called), but then moved to California at the age of 17, where he was introduced to the drug and ghetto culture, where dealing, gang violence, sex, and robberies were frequent and even promoted. He was brought up as a thug, due to this, and incorporated this message in many of his songs. Unlike many rappers today though, when Tupac rapped about drugs and crime, he didn't do it in an attempt to glorify them, he did it to show the consequences of dabbling with them and tried to show those that didn't live that lifestyle, what it's like to live it. Tupac even made songs that, to me, were very powerful. His songs such as: Changes, Dear Mama, Brenda's Got A Baby, Until the End of Time, etc. are enough to make one tear up (I did with Brenda's Got A Baby). Me, being born into the ghetto and being raised in a household of domestic violence, I began to feel extremely attached to his music and his message. I began to binge several of his interviews, videos, albums, films, etc. It got to the point to where he felt like a friend of mine, or even, family. Then, I saw an interview where he was asked his religious views, and this is where it gets downhill. His songs and poems show that he was an extremely strong believer in God, but when he is asked about what he follows, he responds, stating that he believes that if you are good in your heart and do good things, then you are closer to God. But if you're evil in your heart and do bad things, then you're closer to the Devil. But he then went on to say that the Bible, he believes, was made by a person who wanted to find a way to control people. He says that the Bible says that certain people (prophets, patriarchs, etc) are good because they suffered a lot. He then went on to say that he got shot 5 times, and that he was 'crucified' by the media, and he 'walked through with the thorns on', and he told the thief (probably someone in the jail he was in) that 'this ain't supposed to happen, I'll come back for you.' Then he clarified by saying that he ain't saying he's Jesus, but that people go through that type of 'stuff' everyday. He then went on to attack a lot of what he sees as selfishness by megachurches and gigantic cathedrals who won't help homeless people who need God (although I don't have an issue with that point). During this interview, he was quick to make sure that he wasn't trying to disrespect anyone's beliefs, and that these things he's saying are simply his opinions only. This broke my heart. I thought Tupac, someone who I see as an inspiration, was a full on believer! I began to overspeculate, and came to several conclusions, one of which was that Tupac wasn't being entirely truthful in the interview, as he does have different tones with different interviewers, and that he truly did believe in the Bible, but then I felt like I was lying to myself. There several factors that contribute to my continued belief that Tupac was a Christian. Such as: - He had a giant tattoo of a cross on his back - He had a tattoo of a cross, along with Jesus' face, with the words "Only God Can Judge Me" on his arm - His most frequently worn necklace was a necklace of a cross - He was extremely close to his mother, who was a very devout Christian, who even claimed that the group she was in (Black Panther Party) failed because they didn't involve God - In many of his songs, he implements Christian tones: "Hail Mary", "Only God Can Judge Me", "Black Jesuz", "Ghetto Gospel", "I Wonder If Heaven Got A Ghetto" - Many of his lyrics point to a Christian belief: "Father please forgive me for my life of sin, my hard stare seems to scare my sister's kids.." (Until the End of Time) "Get on yo knees to pray, Oh Lord, Help me change my ways, and show a lil mercy on judgment day, it ain't me I was raised this way.." (Hell 4 a Hustla) "Is there a ghetto in heaven or do I go to hell?" (Gotta Survive) "Picture a world where black babies can survive past five, but we must keep hope, quotin the reverend from the pulpit.." (Everything You Own) "Question for the Lord, why don't He like me, please guard my soul" (High Speed) "Just another lost soul stuck callin Jehovah.. Father how the heck did I survive these five shots?" (All Out) "and I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me.." ([Song Title Contains Profanity]) "and I pray to black Jesus to please take the rest of me.." (As The World Turns) "Before I go to sleep I pray and thank the Lord for another fruitful day.." ([Song Title Contains Profanity]) "Dear God I been feeling like I'm close to Jesus.." (Catchin Feelings) "And God said He should send His one begotten son to lead the wild into the ways of the man Follow me; eat my flesh, flesh and my flesh" & "Catch me father please, cause I'm fallin," (Hail Mary) "Cry later but for now let's enjoy the laughter God bless the dead" (God Bless the Dead) "Dear Lord..How can I survive? Got me askin white Jesus will a brotha live or die, cause the Lord can't see us in the deep dark clouds of the projects, ain't no sunshine No sunny days and we only play sometimes" (Still I Rise) "Keep yo' head up and try to keep the faith And pray for better days" (Better Dayz) "Searchin for Black Jesus It's hard, it's hard We need help out here So we searchins for Black Jesus It's like a Saint, that we pray to in the ghetto, to get us through" (Black Jesuz) "Who do you believe in? I put my faith in God Blessed and still breathing And even though it's hard That's who I believe in Before I'm leaving I'm asking the grieving Who do you believe in?" (Who Do You Believe In) These things often comfort me. In regards to Christianity, the closest he ever came to "insulting" it, is saying that the Bible wasn't "written by God". He harshly criticized pastors, priests, and especially televangelists, but he never once, not once, ever spoke bad about Jesus Christ. And even though he didn't hold the Bible in the same regard as we do here, he never insulted any prophet or person in the Bible that is shown as good. What's strange though, is that, in an interview after this, Tupac, while acting in a movie called "Gang Related", states that his faith is in "Black Jesus" and that he has "been gifted by God, by Black Jesus". Here, Tupac refers to Jesus as God, (the reason he uses the term "Black Jesus", is because he wants to make it clear that he doesn't have the same thought pattern as WASP Christians) (also, note that this interview isn't part of the movie, lol). In an interview with MTV (I believe this was his last interview before he was eventually shot and killed), he compares Judas' Betrayal to his competition in the music industry. I don't remember what he said exactly, but it's easy to find online, and it's very short. After he was shot, he didn't die on the spot, but instead, fell into a coma and was rushed to the hospital, where he was alive for about 3-6 days until he eventually died from his wounds. During this time, he was visited by his mother, Afeni Shakur, and his aunt, Gloria Cox, both of whom were devout Christians, and they had with them, in Tupac's hospital room, an Evangelist, who was Tupac's aunt Gloria's cousin, who visited Tupac all the time and prayed over him, and also put oil over him and put a healing cloth on him, while he was still shot up and unconscious, but still alive. He eventually passed away, with the last ones seeing him pass on, being his mother and aunt. Now some of y'all may have a question of your own when reading this: "Why do you care so much?". Well, because I feel extremely close to Tupac, and he touched on so many things that meant a lot to me, and what he said are things that I very much relate to. He feels kind of like a best friend, or even a brother sometimes. I don't let this cloud my judgement, though, as there are aspects of him that I don't agree with. I don't want to follow the life he lived, and I believe that Biggie handled their feud in a much more mature manner and tried to calm people on both sides down, whereas Tupac, due to growing up in the ghetto and already being shot 5 times, became extremely paranoid and reacted somewhat militantly (though, only verbally, not physically). But as Tupac said, he didn't want to be seen as a role model, but instead, show the world what he alone was like. With all this being said, there are some questions I have regarding this. 1) Tupac promoted songs and messages of righteousness, with some gangsta-type themes, only so he could connect and reach out to the people who lived in ghetto hood areas. First and foremost, 2Pac believed in helping the poor, and fought for those who couldn't, but often times his anger did get the best of him, and he would act out on it, but then regret it later on. ~ Does this make him more of a no good thug rather than someone who can be seen as good? 2) Despite him not believing the divine context of the Bible (at least not at the time of the interview), do you think he could still be considered a Christian? He held a very strong and firm belief in God, and believed in the teachings of Christ as well. His Gang Related interview shows him calling Black Jesus, God. Maybe he could've been what is called an "Agnostic Christian"? What is the minimum requirement to being called a "Christian"? 3) Would you say that Tupac made it into Heaven? Or that it seems like He could've? He did exactly what Jesus taught people to do in His Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, but he didn't seem to believe in Biblical authority, but he did refer to Jesus as God. This means he took Him as his "Lord", but I'm not sure if he then also took him as his "Savior". His body art and songs seem to show a promotion of Christian belief, though. I remember reading about King Solomon who was once righteous in the Eyes of God, but then turned to idolatry and had several women as his wives and concubines. I don't think Solomon would've landed in Hell though, so I don't think that what Tupac did, would've landed him in Hell (but I'm not the one to make that judgement). Sorry for seeming somewhat dramatic, and over thinking the faith and actions of one man, but the reason I do this, is because I love Tupac and I genuinely care about his condition and his faith. If there's anyone here, especially a fan of 2Pac who may also know about his life, who can give an answer, then as Tupac said in Dear Mama, "you are appreciated". I kindly ask for as many answers that can be received as possible. Thank you, and God Bless!

I like the Yogi Berra quote...."the future ain't what it used to be" (I like the practical nature of honesty...even with a tinge of humour. ) Now salvation isn't what it used to be. It used to be where Jesus wasn't worried about being "accepted" by people. John 5:41 "I am not looking for human praise." But with all the people mercifully accepting Jesus...does this make Him feel more accepted? Does it improve the divine self-esteem? Or is God not like us. Is God worried about what people will think? Or is that us projecting our own neurosis on God? The truth has been inverted so that people can get with it. I say inverted....not just subtly changed. The whole purpose has gone from serving God and His will to serving men and their will. This is the modern approach. It's about respect. Respect of persons. It used to be that God was not a respecter of persons. But now God has no choice. If we call ourselves Christians...then that belief behooves God to give us everything we want. We can't help but have a rosy future. Our own beliefs dictate that. Enter subjective assurance. You are what you believe you are. It used to be that God had a say in things...but that was before grace (or our understanding of grace) took judgment out of the hands of God. In modern society people ask "what is YOUR truth." Does truth vary with opinion? It used to be where people submitted to the truth. Did I mention that grace is a substitute for truth in today's society...and the church which fully immersed in it...and is happy following it?

Tattooed By Your Blood 4/23/17 Sunday 10:03am-10:58am Turning left to right, Each day and each night, I know why I fight, For you’ve shown me your light, For you’ve given me life. My spirit has lifetime insurance, It’s given me a reason to dance, It’s a never ending abundance, A never ending life that still comes to overflood, For that night, I was tattooed by your blood. My spirit will never face death, No, not again, One day, I will take my last breath, Though I don’t know when, It’s your love and life that I’ll have left. Though each day my flesh shows it’s ways, And each day demons remind me of my worst days, I remember that after I was tattooed by your blood, I am a new creature and forgiven by your grace, For me you gave up your life & washed all my sins away. No matter how much blood I shed, It’s not like the blood you have shed. For my body may lose it’s life, But yours has brought me to life from death. For when I was tattooed by your blood that night, For when I was brought up from darkness to light, My heart has completely transformed, And now my spirit is reborn! It’s a miracle only you can perform!! I’m thankful that you’ve shown me eternal grace, I’m so glad that one day I may see your face. For something so priceless and grand, It will be a privilege to hold your hand. I could spend all my life thanking you forever, For a life with you cannot get any better. It’s sad to see the world doesn’t know you, It’s sad to see how much they need you, too. It’s sad to see they don’t know it’s you they need, It’s sad to see they refuse you for their own greed. I’m glad to see there’s at least a few you will save, I’m glad to know it’s not based on how we behave. I’m glad to see how you have changed who we are, I’m glad to know you take the deepest place in my heart. I hope others will understand it’s you they need, And the reason that day your body would bleed. I could see after you gave me a tattoo and covered my eyes with mud, And the same for them, they just need the same exact tattoo by your blood. I understand all this because… That is the way I once was, Before I was tattooed by your blood.

A tough section in the Bible needs to be addressed and that is 1 Timothy 2:14-15 "And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety." When I became born again I was so in love with the Lord (I sill am). I read the Bible and received such peace and happiness. But, when I came across this section of scripture I must admit it brought tears. I have come to an understanding between the Lord and myself. This is what I learned. 11"And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, ""What is this you have done?" The Woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." 15 "And I will put enmity between you and the Woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." Gen 3: 11-13, 15-16 The woman sinned but confessed it to the Lord when asked. Indicating the need that we must confess our sin so that redemption is possible. The Lord then provided the plan of redemption for the world by way of the woman's offspring Jesus. The consequence of sin is death but instead life is brought forth in pain during childbearing. Then the Lord gave a desire and a rule over the women which will prove life saving for Mary the mother of Jesus. Praise the Lord for his love for women. The gospel message is revealed through her. She is rightly named Eve "Mother of all the living" Tell me of your understanding, and ladies how this scripture effects you.

Hi. I've been seeking the Lord for my Salvation and I come across the responsibility of man as mentioned in the Bible. So, I wanted to ask about the Responsibility of man and the Grace of God, Sovereignty of God. The Bible in different places commands us to do something, or rather, to change. For example, In 1 Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" Matthew 23:12 "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Ezekiel 18:31 "Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?" 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." And GOD, throughout the old testament, keeps telling Israel and even other nations also at times like- Nineveh (Jonah), through Prophets, etc to Repent and turn to HIM. And in the New Testament, we are told to Repent and Believe. These verses seem to put it up, like humbling oneself or having a new heart and a new spirit, to Repent, as human responsibility to do what's been asked of us to do. And so it implies also that we naturally have the ability to do what's been asked of us to do and that it's possible for us to do it without God's help, just by our will? Because if we can't', then why would He ask that of us? But the Bible also puts things the other way, which seems opposite, that we can do these things only by God's Intervention/ Grace, power: Acts 16:14 ".....The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul" Luke 24:45 "Then He[Jesus] opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" Acts 18:26-40, The case of the Ethiopian Eunuch Ezekiel 11:19 (cf. Ezekiel 36:26, Hebrews 8:10, Jeremiah 32:33) "And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh" In Daniel 4, God humbles Nebuchadnezzar, after which he praises God, for doing so and humbling him. So, what should we do when we come across such commands in the Bible? Should we wait for God to do something that we can't or we don't have the ability (will) to unless God intervenes in some way, or, should we do what we are commanded to (to Repent, be Humble, change our hearts and minds) assuming that have the ability(the will)? It is said that we have the ability and faculties for dong what we are commanded to do, that if we 'will', we can do it, but that the problem is that we can't Truly 'will' without the work, influence of God in our heart. Spurgeon says about this : "The question is, are men ever found naturally willing to submit to the humbling terms of the gospel of Christ? We declare, upon Scriptural authority, that the human will is so desperately set on mischief, so depraved, and so inclined to everything that is evil, and so disinclined to everything that is good, that without the powerful. supernatural, irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit, no human will ever be constrained towards Christ". If this is True, then, How should we then carry out our Responsibility ?

What could be the reasons why a seeking sinner may not be saved? What does it mean to come to the Lord? I am currently seeking the Lord, and even though God has shown me much of my depravity and sins, I struggle very much to "truly" Repent and "truly" believe. Pls. Pray to GOD for my Salvation and that I may truly be born again in CHRIST.

INDULGENCES. Definition: A person after confessing his sins to a priest, in order to be free from the punishment still due for his sins, requires the church to pray for his rehabilitation. The person must do penance works such as fasting, making pilgrimages, giving money, making prayers or inflicting pain on oneself, as a penalty for sins committed. Historically, people found it easier to pay money to the Roman Catholic church than to pray for long hours. The Roman Catholic church preferred money because the Pope ran out of cash in building St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. So the Roman Catholic church issued the person with an official statement that he had received release from the penalties through the payment of money. This document was called an indulgence. They could be bought for friends and relatives who had died and passed into purgatory, thus shortening the time that they would have to spend there. Martin Luther objected to Tetzel, a Catholic indulgence seller, who publicly announced to people that if they put a coin in a box, a dead relative's soul would immediately pop out of purgatory. His advertising slogan was: "As the coin in you pop, a soul from purgatory doth hop." Answer: Obviously, this teaching cannot be found in the Bible. After Word War II, the Archbishop of Winnipeg asked mothers who had sons killed in the war, to pay $40 to have masses said on behalf of their sons to guarantee their salvation and entrance to heaven. This practice continues in many parts of the world, and accounts for the great wealth of the Catholic church as seen in the big cathedrals it builds. Which Bible verses forbid indulgence selling? 1. Jesus warns against this practice in Matthew 23:14, a verse that Catholics have cut out of modern Bible versions. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." The Pharisees of Jesus' day, as well as Catholic priests of today, tell widows that their dead husband has gone to purgatory. They ask her if she wants him to go to heaven. If yes, she will have to pay the priest to say a mass to pray for his soul to leave purgatory. Widows don't usually have much money, so he tells her to sell her house to pay for it. This is how widows houses are devoured by priests who for a pretense make long prayers. 2. The Israelites were forbidden to give money for the dead. "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Psalms 49:7. No gift of money can save another person. Only the blood of Christ can. 3. Peter says: "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18,19. Nobody is redeemed with indulgence money. 4. Simon the sorcerer offered the apostles money so that anyone that he laid hands on would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Peter rebuked him strongly in Acts 8:20-23 saying: "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the GIFT OF GOD may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness." Salvation is the gift of God that each of us must claim freely for ourselves when we call on Christ to be our Saviour. No baptism, eucharist, confessional to a priest, penance, extreme unction, or paying money can save us, only faith in Christ's precious saving blood to pay for our sins.

And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Do you believe that this verse teaches that redemption means no more sin? How do you interpret this verse?

When you have repented of your sins and asked Jesus into your heart, is that enough to get a person saved? Do you also have to believe that you're saved at that point even if you see no indications that anything has changed? Should a person be concerned if they have asked God for forgiveness but God's love still seems like it's not real to them? What should someone expect from salvation? Is it a life changing experience or is it much more subtle than that? Do some people have a strong born again experience at salvation and others don't and if you don't should you be concerned?

Searching Sinners Salvation

Does eternal life only begin once your physical body dies, or can it begin before you pass away, i.e. upon Spiritual Birth?

What is it that makes us decide to trust and believe, not just God, but people? Everything we do as followers of Christ is wrapped around faith, the essence of trust and belief. However, there is added disincentive in the story of Rahab in that these two men who may have entered her house under false pretenses, have now enlightened her that they are spies; that her life is now in danger from the spies and the guards of Jericho. They point out that her only reasonable choice is to hide them, and she does. For us, there is a sudden awareness that her faith in this unknown god and her desire to be rescued by Him has become challenged. What does this added incentive do to your belief system? Ponder once again what Rahab tells the two Israeli spies. Joshua 2:9-10 NASB and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10) "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. At first, it is deeply personal as she says, “ I know that the LORD has given you the land and that the terror of you has fallen on us,” This paragraph has belief and fear written all over it. While I, Rahab, know that the Almighty has his hand on you, there is a profound and genuine concern on the part of the entire city for their safety, lives, and mine as well. Joshua 2:11 NASB "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Does fear promote belief? I know it does not work for me. I may, under duress, comply out of concern for the safety of my family and myself, but I will never come to admire and possibly love you, as Rahab did. The reality is that God's most significant impact on our faith is through signs. The idea that God is okay with that, comes from the verse where she recaps the two notable stories of which the people Jericho were aware. “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.” It is rapidly becoming evident that Rahab is a smart woman. You don't last long in such a business without the skills of a spy yourself, and she, therefore, strikes a bargain. Joshua 2:12-13 NASB "Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth, 13) and spare my father and my mother and my brothers and my sisters, with all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." The men hear her out and respond with the words she needs to hear. Joshua 2:14 NASB So the men said to her, "Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the LORD gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you." Having received a promise of protection, and trusting their word, she provides them with a way of escape. I am going to do something peculiar here, and verse 15 last because I cannot see any practicality to her shouting additional instructions to the men as they rappel down the wall from her window. Joshua 2:15-21 NASB 16) She said to them, "Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way." 17) The men said to her, "We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, 18) unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father's household. 19) "It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20) "But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear." 15) Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall so that she was living on the wall. 21) She said, "According to your words, so be it." So she sent them away, and they departed, and she tied the scarlet cord in the window. The bargaining is completed. Rahab lets them out through a window and uses the same scarlet cord to signal Israel's troops that hers is a safe house. Suddenly it occurs to me. While the scarlet color may have been associated with her profession, it now represented that scarlet blood that saves us all. Few realize what took place. Consider also the tremendous significance, as Jesus was three days and nights in death, so to the scarlet rope hung from that window. Our redemption through Jesus was signaled all throughout this book we call the Bible, and today, I saw it. What would have happened had the townsfolk of Jericho saw that cord suddenly hanging there? With the armed militia out chasing the spies, did the town now feel safe? I doubt it. The city may have gone on lock-down. How did this rope go unnoticed? That can only be God. Did Rahab and her family demonstrate a strong faith in this God of Israel, and were therefore saved? We don't know any of that. Rahab took a chance and pitched her case, knowing full well that they could turn against her. If what she says is true, then the people within Jericho comprehend the threat that Israel poses. Finding out that two Israeli spies have infiltrated the city just raises the threat level exponentially. The result of the increased threat level is that the family, which may have treated her as an outcast, hurriedly gathered survival supplies and joined Rahab in her home. Joshua 2:23-24 NASB Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24) They said to Joshua, "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us." Safely back at camp, they related all that had happened. What a story. Oh, and by-the-way Joshua, there is one more thing you might find interesting - “Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.” At least that is what Rahab told us. Melted – is the Hebrew word moog, meaning to melt; literally (to soften, flow down, disappear), or figuratively (to fear, faint). Since this is a character study on Rahab, I am going to bypass much of the detail involved in the attack on Jericho. It is admittedly fascinating to learn how Jericho's walls fell. Having seen pictures of the archaeological digs at Jericho, it becomes apparent that they went straight down into the ground. Except for one spot, that portion that Rahab lived in. Joshua 6:20 The NASB states that the wall fell flat. What does that mean? The Hebrew word is taḥaṯ: A preposition meaning under, beneath; in place of. It indicates a position below or underneath some other reference point.” Word Study Dictionary. While the word flat is indeed an option, how do you explain under, beneath or a position below, especially when the passage goes on to say that every man walked straight ahead? We don't return to Jericho in the book of Joshua until chapter six. In the meantime, circumcisions have been performed, and Israel has passed through the Jordan on dry land, just as they did the Red Sea. This time they placed a large mound of stones to commemorate God's goodness and what a coincidence that a large mound of stones has been located in the Sea of Galilee. I suppose the obvious thing to consider here, is that much time has passed and that scarlet cord is probably still hanging out that window. Joshua 6:21-23 NASB They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man, and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. 22) Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the harlot's house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her." 23) So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel. How befitting that the young men who made the agreement should go and gather Rahab and her family. “Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel.” Albert Barnes commentary states, “These words literally “made to rest outside the camp of Israel” - indicate that being still in their paganism, they were separated from the camp of the Lord. This was only for a time. They desired, and eventually obtained, admission to the covenant of the chosen people of God.” Another instance where we have no details. We know nothing about paganism, but it is probably safe to assume. Since Rahab seems to have a faith in this God she knows little about, we shall see her come to understanding and acceptance. Joshua 6:25 NASB However, Rahab the harlot and her father's household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. And everyone lived happily ever after, well, I would hope so. Sadly we live in reality, but there are three other passages I want you to see. In spelling out the Jewish heritage of Jesus, the gospel of Matthew includes Rahab. Matthew 1:5 NASB Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. Boaz, if you remember, owned the land in which Ruth had been directed to work by Naomi, her mother in law. Boaz buys the right to marry Ruth, and they produced a child named Obed, and Obed became the father of Jesse, the father of David. Rahab is found in Hebrews 11 because of her faith. Hebrews 11:31 NASB By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient after she had welcomed the spies in peace. And lastly, as an example of how faith works, we have the writings of James. James 2:24-25 NASB You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25) In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? Understanding the ramifications, Rahab accepted the spies, protected them, and sent them safely on their way. So, Rahab then becomes an example for us, of faith and how it works.

This was part of a series of character studies that I recently posted online. My interest in Rahab started long ago, as I heard the stories, but rarely ever read the story for myself. If you follow my posts, then you would know that I have gone through some dark times. I suspect that the sentence, "train up a child in the way that they should go" played a role in this freedom and understanding that I now have, for I knew that I needed to plant my heart and mind firmly in God's word. Sadly, when I started doing that, I found myself bored and confused; it was difficult to focus, and I kept hearing this voice in my head, saying, I have read this before. Anguished by this lack of motivation I talked bluntly and plainly to God about the situation, and I asked Him to make Himself real to me. I don't remember when my attitude changed, but it was shortly after that prayer. Soon after, I found myself seeing these Bible characters as real, with flesh and blood. Things quickly changed and I could see them struggle just you and I do. Rahab was one of those characters. It has been several years since I last looked at Rahab, but my interest resurfaced recently as our men's group watched and listened to Francis Chan teach on the book of James, a book that references Rahab and her faith. Look at what James had to say about the dear lady. James 2:25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? As typical with men, there is the subtle laughter as they try to adjust their thinking to accept the fact God would use someone like a whore. I cannot remember the question asked, but I immediately began talking about this amazing woman and what she did. I then asked, how would I know any of those things, because I read through the Bible; that, and I have studied these characters multiple times as they are integrated into our lives as believers, at every turn. This story of Rahab, like most everything else in scripture, has a background, and for us, that background comes primarily from the camp of Israel. So let's quickly look at that. Moses has died, and the leadership role is now being passed to Joshua. The entire first chapter of Joshua is essentially a directive to be strong, but there is an astounding statement that seems to make them invincible. Joshua 1:3 CJB I am giving you every place you will step on with the sole of your foot, as I said to Moshe (Moses). The connotation is, in battle. Consider how they, through the ten spies, step on the land of Canaan. Did they completely take the land God spoke of? No, and yet, in the long run, God's word is still valid, for the ground has been given to Israel. (Still today, there is bitter disagreement and fighting over this.) Chapter one ends with a uniform agreement on the part of Israel's fighting forces. Joshua 1:17-18 NASB "Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. 18) "Anyone who rebels against your command and does not obey your words in all that you command him, shall be put to death; only be strong and courageous." I am not sure how to perceive this. Would the fighting men kill anyone that resisted one of Joshua's directives? The next plan we see is this, Joshua 1:10-11 NASB Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11) "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'" I always assumed that Jericho was one of the first cities Israel conquered, however, when you look at a map which indicates the traditional path that Israel took into the promise land. The chart shows them traversing north along the Eastern side of the Jordan and then crossing above the Sea of Galilee and then dropping down south on the Western side of the Jordan, into Jericho. As a visual learner, I now have the placement of Jericho square in my thinking, and it is the next stop. Joshua 2:1 NASB Then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab and lodged there. This ugly tale is where we first meet Rahab. Without a doubt, our introduction leaves something to be desired, as she is a harlot. What are the problems with this introduction? We immediately start assigning personality traits, personal habits, and a lack of intelligence and integrity; all of which are things we cannot discern as yet. Let's start dissecting this. “then Joshua the son of Nun sent two men as spies secretly from Shittim, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” Jericho was not the only thing on their list. The more they moved through the land, the greater their chances of being seen. The idea that Jericho was the top of Joshua's list was evident. Secretly is the Hebrew word cheresh, and can also mean silently. Webster's dictionary tells us that secretly is defined as: Privately; privily; not openly; without the knowledge of others. “So they went and came into the house of a harlot whose name was Rahab,” You are a stranger, in a strange land, and, you may not speak or read the same language, yet, you come into the house of a harlot. Think about that for a moment. I brought this up before the men that morning. A short time later, one of the men pushed his electronic pad at me. On it, was an etching found in stone, in front of a building that had been dug out of the ashes of Pompeii. It was overtly sexual and easily identifiable. It required no additional explanation, and the implications could easily mean a house of whoredoms. Working from the premise that we have no other information to build this story on, there is NOTHING in scripture that defines how the spies would have known this. If we lack documented, historical information, then all we have is conjecture, and sadly, inference opens the door to Rahab pandering these new men in town. Taking this debauchery one step further; what is there that explains why the two spies were going into her house? I want to believe that they were above self-indulgence, but it cannot be ruled out. You should be thinking along the same lines as I am, about now. While finding a friendly voice in a strange place might be considered a Godsend, the spies still need to investigate, and this would allow them to move about freely for a short time. Quickly, they explained the grave nature of their business and how quickly they could kill her. But then, they are trying to gain an ally and temporary safety. “and lodged there.” Lodge is Hebrew word shâkab and means to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose.) The intent is not to pass on more twisted thinking, but to make a point. We have sterilized God's word to the point that we cannot see that these were people, with frailties, just as we all have. If you follow the scriptural text, you will not see judgment coming from God about their actions. However far this went is none of our business, but in our quick judgments and condemnations, we dispatch people, like Judas Iscariot, to hell, while condoning the actions of these men. After all, it was war. Joshua 2:2 MKJV And the king of Jericho was told about it, saying, Behold, men from the sons of Israel came in here tonight, to search out the country. Apparently, someone had seen them and knew where they came from. What was even worse, is that the Israelis had been seen going into Rahab's house on the wall. Joshua 2:3 MKJV And the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, Bring out the men that have come to you, those who have entered into your house. For they have come to search out all the country. The king has sent messengers, probably armed guards, willing to kill. The demand is to bring out the men that come to you. Okay, here is where things get a little confused. Joshua 2:4 CJB However, the woman, after taking the two men and hiding them, replied, "Yes, the men did come to me; but I didn't know where they had come from. Think about what just happened. Messengers, capable of killing you, demand that you bring out the men that came into the home. You want me to believe that the guards just stood outside and waited for her to return? But what if she was aware that this entourage was coming, would she hide them before they started knocking? So, she, knowing that they want these men, hides them and lies about where they are. Her statement, “ Yes, the men did come to me; but I didn't know where they had come from.” To some degree this statement was right It wasn't long before they revealed their mission to her. Consider how she with minimal information, made a life-changing decision to believe the Israeli spies. She continues the deception. Joshua 2:5 CJB “The men left around the time when they shut the gate, when it was dark. Where they went I don't know; but if you chase after them quickly, you will overtake them.” The Israelis were still in the house. Joshua 2:6 CJB Actually she had brought them up to the roof and hidden them under some stalks of flax she had spread out there. Does it make sense that they would merely take her word, No, or why else would she hide them under the flax? Joshua 2:7 CJB The men pursued them all the way to the fords at the Yarden; as soon as the pursuit party had left, the gate was shut. Not finding them, the king's messengers go in pursuit. Joshua 2:8 CJB The two men had not yet lain down when she returned to the roof. As we wandered through the book section at our local warehouse store, I looked at a devotional journal that focused on women of the Bible. Rahab was listed, as she should be, but the author's version of the story was what we come to expect when tradition rules our thinking; as it conflicted with what the Bible says. How easy it is to twist a story. Joshua 2:9-11 NASB and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10) "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11) "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. Without this information, we could never adequately understand what transpired that made her heart turn toward the God of Israel. What did she tell us? I know that the LORD has given you the land. This statement is a verbal demonstration of her acceptance. That the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. We see terminology like this all throughout the Bible. And yet, when you read the biblical stories, you come to find that in reality it means quite a few. The number is significant enough to be on the alert for spies. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt. Consider how many, choose to dispute or deny, the Red Sea crossing. Here is this woman, whom many would disregard, spelling out a common understanding and belief about Israel's passage through the Red Sea, on dry land. What you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, Sihon, and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. And lastly, the most impactful statement of all of them. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. When it comes to making a confession of who God is in your life, this would be it. Having written recently about Jonah, one of the things we learn of, is that Jonah was a sign. Can you see that God's guidance and actions have been signs? Many of you are aware of Rahab already. You may also be mindful that she becomes an integral aspect of the lineage of Jesus, our King. In spite of ugly titles or your bad reputation, the God who knows the beginning from the end will find a way to draw you into the kingdom. You could not convince me that this woman did not have a changed heart; a change we like to call salvation. Soon, the action will get more intense as Israel, following God's directions, marches around the wall. This amazing woman will continue to play a miraculous role.

I feel scared and condemned because I've never felt joy in God. I have no feeling of affection for Him! I know that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so the fact that I don't have it terrifies me. I know that Christians should fight for their joy, but how can one fight for their joy if they're no longer even sure they're a Christian? It feels like a huge weight has been added to my already-heavy shoulders, and I'm stuck in a loop: I can't have assurance because I don't have joy, and I can't have joy because I don't have assurance.Is there any hope for me?

The whole "waiting upon the Lord" thing was part of looking forward to Christ's first coming: Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. ...Thus, Jesus Christ's coming 2,000 years ago, was to be the end of the Israel's waiting for Messiah - not the beginning of our waiting. On the contrary, when Jesus Christ (Messiah) came, He did not say "wait upon the Lord", He said "today is the day of salvation." So...when we hear about "waiting upon the Lord" today, it either means one of three things: There is some particular thing that someone is waiting on, perhaps that they have been praying about, or: The person has not taken to heart that "today is the day of salvation", or: The person is applying that Old Covenant scripture of "waiting upon the Lord" to explain why the sky did not part the day they came to believe in the salvation of Christ, and therefore look for another day when Jesus will finish what He started...against His telling us that "today" is that day, and "Behold I come quickly" and not in the distant unknown future. It is #3 that has literally become the "strong delusion" foretold by the apostle Paul about our time...because, Christ did come, He said "It is finished", He laid out the next phase of world history under the New Covenant, explaining that it was a matter of being born again of the spirit of God, and clarified the timing, saying "today" and "behold, I come quickly." Then came the teachings of men. Shortly after Jesus' resurrection and ascension into the kingdom of God, the apostle John received what we read of in the book of Revelation. Therein, Jesus reports on the status of the seven churches and indicates that He had somewhat against 5 out of 7 of the churches even during that first generation after the cross. And now the children of the 5 are greater than the children of the 2...meaning most have been teaching an imperfect gospel for 1,900+ years, and almost everyone you know did not get the truth, but rather, got an erroneous translation of the truth now commonly believed among the church. As a result, every end times scenario from prophecy has been skewed by that first generation not believing in the simple truth that "today is the day of salvation" and that Christ said He was coming "quickly." And now there are 40-some generations of people including scholars, theologians, priests, pastors, teachers, and popes who will argue in support of the 5-churches errors, and literally team up on any who speak against the error with accusations of heresy. So...good luck. I recommend you do your own homework and consider everything you hear as being 5 out of 7 wrong, or worse. And for those who have an ear to hear what the spirit says...listen to the Spirit instead.

GOOD WORKS or KEEPING THE LAW DOES NOT SAVE US There are basically only two religions in the world today. These represent two different ideas as to how we gain acceptance with God and how we get into heaven. One is right. The other is wrong. These are: I. GOOD WORKS. The idea that if I am good enough then God will accept me into heaven(wrong). The problems with this view are that: 1. How good do I have to be? Where is the cut off point that determines entry to heaven? 2. If I can get into heaven by my good works, then why did Christ die? 3. How do you judge how much salvation each good work buys you? 4. If we have to earn our salvation, there is always that feeling of guilt, because maybe we haven't done enough good works to earn salvation. 5. If we are hoping to be saved by our good works, then we could lose our salvation by not keeping up the good works. This leads to uncertainty. We can never be sure of going to heaven as long as we trust in our good works. 6. Trusting in our good works leads to fear of missing heaven. 7. It leads to a wrong comparison. People say "I am a good person." They are comparing themselves with sinful man. We should compare ourselves with God. Then we appear as big sinners. 8. If we could be saved by our good works then, we could boast. Do you think God would devise a system of salvation that allowed man to boast? 9. It causes some people to give up trying to be good, so they sin as much as they want. 10. Does "man save man" or does "God save man"? 11. It leads to a religion of self denial to earn salvation. God has given us richly in all things to enjoy. Religious man likes to think that his good works can save him because: 1. It keeps people under the control of religious leaders, because people fear that if they stop coming to church, they will go to hell. 2. People like to feel that they have worked for their salvation and that they deserve it. They think "I earn everything else in life by hard work, why not my salvation?" 3. Man likes to make the rules himself, and does not like God telling him what to do. Sinful man does not want God to get the glory for saving him. 99% of the world's religions are religions of good works to earn salvation. Examples include: Roman Catholicism, Islam, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Hinduism to name a few. II. FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS MY SIN PAYMENT. (The right way). This begins with the idea that I am a sinner, that I have broken God's laws, and that compared to God I am not a good person, but a self centred sinner. God's law that I have broken condemns me to hell. The good news is that Jesus Christ on the cross had all my sins laid on him, so that Jesus Christ took the full punishment for all my past, present and future sins that I deserved in hell forever. He thus became the Saviour of all people. We are now responsible to receive or call on Christ to be our Saviour from sin. When we do this Christ saves us and gives us the free gift of eternal life. The benefits of Christ saving us instead of our works saving us are: 1. We can be 100% sure of going to heaven because Christ is 100% responsible for saving us and for keeping us saved. 2. We can concentrate on serving God in joy, rather than in fear of trying to earn our entrance ticket to heaven. 3. We know that we will meet our saved loved ones in heaven. 4. We rest in God's acceptance of us because of Christ. 5. It releases us from the bondage of fear of trusting a man made organization to get us into heaven. 6. It leads us to develop a loving relationship with Christ as our Saviour, Friend and God, rather than Mary. 7. It leads us to base our beliefs for living on the Bible, not on some man made organization. Let us study some Bible passages teaching that "good works don't save us". 1. Knowing that a man is: a) not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; b) 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; c) for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16. 2. If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:21. 3. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2. 4. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Galatians 3:6. 5. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Gal. 3:7. 6. The scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith. Galatians 3:8. 7. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Galatians 3:9. 8. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse. Galatians 3:10. 9. For it is written, Cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10. 10. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident. Galatians 3:11. 11. The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11. 12. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13. 13. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14. 14. If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. This teaches that no law gave eternal life. Galatians 3:21. 15. The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Galatians 3:22. 16. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up into the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Galatians 3:23. This means that we were shut up in the prison of the law until salvation by faith in Christ came. 17. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24. 18. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:25. We are not under the schoolmaster of the Mosaic law. 19. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26. 20. Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Galatians 4:21. 21. If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. Galatians 5:2. This means that if you are trusting your circumcision to save you, or your good works, or your baptism, or your sacraments, or your church to save you, then Christ has not saved you. You are still lost and going to hell. 22. I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.Galatians 5:3 This means that if you trust your works to save you, then you can only be saved by always keeping all the whole law, which no one can do. Therefore, those trusting their works are heading to hell. 23. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law. Galatians 5:4. 24. the hope of righteousness by faith. Galatians 5:5. 25. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision: but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 6:15; 5:6. 26. In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.Ephesians 1:13 27. For by grace are ye saved through faith; i) and that not of yourselves; ii) it is the gift of God: iii) not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9. Four times we are told here that we are not saved by works, but by faith. Question: Where then do good works come in? Answer: Good works come after salvation to show our gratitude to God in love for saving us. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10. Facts of → Faith in Christ → Salvation → Good Works Gospel as Saviour after salvation 28. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17. 29. And be found in Christ, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9. 30. 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. Titus 3:5. 31. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20. 32. The righteousness of God without the law is manifested. Romans 3:21. (Romans 3:22. 33. The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. 34. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. ...a propitiation (forgiveness and favour) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins. Romans 3:24,25. 35. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? NO: but by the law of faith. Romans 3:27. 36. Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28 37. One God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith,and uncircumcision through faith. Rom. 3:30 Question: Does salvation by faith and not by works mean that we can go out and sin as we wish? A: Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. Rom. 3:31 The law is now written on the believer’s heart, so that we obey the law of the Spirit of life from an inward motivation. 38. If Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Romans 4:2. 39. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3. 40. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5. 41. David also describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works. Romans 4:6. 42. Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in uncircumcision. Romans 4:9,10. Note: Abraham was saved by faith before he was circumcised. This teaches us that we are saved by faith before baptism, good works, sacraments or any human work. 43. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1 Note: Peace with God comes by faith in Christ, not by good works. 44. The Gentiles ..... have attained to righteousness ..... which is of faith. But Israel ..... has not attained to righteousness. Why? Because they sought it not by faith, but .....by the works of the law. Romans 9:30-32. 45. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace. Romans 11:6. Note: If you think you are saved by your own works, then you miss God's grace. 46. Who hath saved us ..... not according to our works. 11 Timothy 1:9. 47. Q: What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? A: Jesus ..... this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. John 6:28,29. 48. i) He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50. ii) When he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. Luke 5:20. iii) Purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9. iv) That they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18. v) Jesus said unto him (Bartimaus), Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Luke 18:42. vi) Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. Mark 5:34. vii)To a repentant leper: "thy faith hath made thee whole." Luke 17:19. 49. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43. 50. By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:39. Note: If the law of Moses could not justify anybody, how can keeping the laws of the Catholic Church, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Baptism, sacraments, or good works justify you? OBJECTION: Question: "But doesn't James 2:14-26 teach that works save us?" Ans: No, because: 1. James in 2:10,11 says that even if we have kept the whole law always showing good works every day, except in one act of sin, we are guilty of breaking all the law. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." 2. Wherever you have true believers, you have counterfeit believers. Eg:Neither the priest or the Levite who had religious training, helped the dying man. Matt.7:21, Luke 10:25-37 3. A poor believer, hungry and without proper clothing entered a church. A person with dead faith saw the visitor in need, yet did nothing to meet his needs. He just said a few pious words: "Depart in peace; be ye warmed and filled". James 2:1-5,16. Note: Each of these four people had dead faith. Each would defend the idea that he had faith, yet neither demonstrated that faith in loving works. To help a needy person is an expression of love, and faith works by love. Galatians 5:6. The question in James 2:14: "Can faith save him?" is alternatively translated: "Can that kind of faith save him?" What kind of faith? The faith that is never shown by practical works. The answer is "NO". Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. That kind of faith is dead faith. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17. True saving faith always produces works.God sees our faith in Christ as Saviour, then he saves us. Man cannot see faith. Man can only see our works as the fruit of salvation. Faith is the Godward condition of salvation. Works is the manward evidence of salvation. James illustrates his point with two Old Testament characters: 1. Abraham. "Was not Abraham our Father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?" James 2:21. a) Abraham was justified before God by age 85. "He believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Genesis 15:6; 16:16. b) Abraham was justified before man by age 137, when he offered up Isaac upon the altar. Genesis 22:1-14. 2. Rahab. "Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" James 2:25. a) Rahab was justified before God (salvation) when she confessed with her mouth Jehovah to be God. "For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above,and in earth beneath."Joshua 2:11,1-14 b) Rahab was justified before man (service) when she received and sent the messengers out another way. "Then she let them down by a cord through the window." Joshua 2:15,16. Conclusion: 1. Forsake trusting your works to save you, and receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour from sin today. 2. Leave any church that teaches a gospel of good works for salvation. God's curse is on such a church or religion. Galatians 1:6-9.

Many Believers love on people by telling them how precious they are, help them out with things they need doing, and even say a prayer to bless them but never actually preach the Gospel to them. They try to explain that doing acts of love is synonymous with preaching the Gospel and that they can preach with actions rather than words. WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL Mark 16:15 - "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" Acts of love are needed but they do not replace preaching the Gospel. Buying food for the homeless, carrying shopping bags for old ladies, showing care and love to the young and healthy and ministering to the sick and disabled are great opportunities to love -- to introduce the ones in front of us to the One who taught us how to love -- Jesus. Share about the Gospel -- Jesus' death and resurrection and how receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior by faith and repentance from sin can bring them into salvation. While it is true that we can't force people into the Kingdom but we must be confident in the Holy Spirit to believe He is already convicting the hearts of the ones we are speaking to and be BOLD to speak the Gospel message and give them the opportunity to receive the Lord. The full Gospel for which the Lord died for must be preached. The ones we regularly interact with but never actually minister the Gospel to if unsaved, when they die, will go to Hell – despite our loving on them! THE JOY OF SALVATION Many times on street outreaches, we bless people with prophetic words and even offer to pray for their sicknesses, but again this does not replace preaching the Gospel of salvation. These are amazing ways to open up peoples hearts to hear the Gospel yet, the prophetic or healing words themselves do not save anyone. They are great tools to open up hearts to the Father's love but are never meant to be used as an end in itself but rather as a means to an end. The salvation of the soul is the ultimate goal. Even if you don't have a prophetic or healing word for the one in front of you, be encouraged to be bold to preach the message of salvation in love and power to them because the Gospel has more than enough power to turn people to Jesus. Let us be restored to the joy of our salvation. Remember that wonderful moment the Lord saved you and be joyful to bring others into the experience of salvation you have. What a joy to bring multitudes into Heaven with us as we understand the urgency of the times we live in. ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY http://afministry.ning.com

My new book, Faithless, will be published on December 20. The attachments describe what it's about, but I don't know how to find the people who would WANT to read it. I want to help people and this is my way of starting that. Any advice would be appreciated so much!

I feel like I need to ask people for forgiveness, but I don't know what for. Meaning, I don't remember what I've done. I remember calling my sister names, but should I ask for forgiveness 10 years later? I've recently accepted Jesus Christ as my master and the savior who gave his life, that I may keep mine. I've always been loyal to my parents an honor them. But recently my uncle an elder of the church, said before I get married, I have to ask parents for forgiveness. But for what? I've asked and cried for forgiveness Contemplatively(In my mind), after accepting Jesus. I felt deep guilt and wept. I'm not a vocal person, but see myself as a mind/thinker rather. So when I sing, I sing in my heart and pray in my heart, all throughout the day. Not because I feel I have to, but because I want to. My singing voice is absolutely garbage, and it annoys even me to hear it. Even talking I annoy myself. God probably doesn't want to hear a scratchy, out of tune voice praising him. I know I can do it better in my spirit. So I may as well give a bit of a testimony: I grew up in a strict Christian family. Which made me hate church and everything to do with it. Forced to go 5 times a week, 2 hours a service. I've always kept to myself, with a tough guy attitude, but inwardly loving. Always straight face, rare emotion display. I wasn't allowed to any non-Christian friends, so most of my child/young adulthood I was alone with my thoughts. No t.v., games, etc. But after I moved out and turned to the sinful world, is when I felt free, and when I started slowly turning back. Not to Christianity right away. I gathered my spiritual thoughts about the world. I was mildly into meditation, philosophy, astral projection, etc. The typical nature-freak stuff. However up until about a week ago, at work I started listening to a Bible audiobook. I have 8 hours of spare time to listen, and after being bored of music and everything else. I finally decided to give the Bible a go. Which opened my eyes. I've read the Bible before, but never like this. I realized who Jesus was, and how amazing his gift was. My change wasn't immediate. I didn't jump up and shout, "I believe in you Jesus". But over a few days, reading each Biblical book, one after the other. I found myself believing. In my heart I genuinely said, I believe in you Jesus, you are my savior. Multiple times I repeated it in my mind(next paragraph I'll try to describe why and how my mind works). After that over the next few days, I asked for for the holy spirit. I begged for it, saying I need it God. For the past week, since I've been saved. I have not gone a day without shedding a tear. I'll listen to worship music, and I'll let my tears flow. I'll think about Jesus dying on the cross; I'll weep heavily. Last night, I wept the most when I cried to Jesus begging for forgiveness. I can barely write all of this without weeping as I am now. Listening to music and crying, I feel peace, and I want to cry more. Crying for repentance, it hurts my heart. My heart hurts now I as I write. Today for 24 hours I dedicated my time to a fasting. No water, no food, only air(and the word of God). I dedicated this fasting to forgiveness. Forgiveness of my sins, and others. I bow, pray and ask for signs and forgiveness. But recently I've watched a video, where I realized the smallest sin will earn me the lake of fire. I want to make sure my soul is clean and pure. But I doubt, because I feel I need to ask forgiveness of others. But I don't know for what. Should I ask even if for nothing? Or have those sins been washed away? I have forgiven everyone (as far as I 'know' ). I feel like I have the Holy spirit, yet I doubt. I've never been this open-hearted. I've had a few 'mild-signs' over the past week. Those being, my body felt like it froze up for a few seconds, while I wept listening to praise music. Another time, my right hand was on my heart, while I laid in bed and wept for forgiveness. After about 15 minutes into my prayer, my hand went numb. Only the part of my hand that was on my heart. My other hand was on my stomach, almost equal position, so I don't see it being cutoff circulation. I get chills/bumps, not from being cold, but while listening to music usually or something spiritual related. After which tear up. My mind is dangerous and deep. Dangerous I say, because I feel I can think too deeply. Which can be a blessing and a curse. It makes people less humble and innocent. Which is making repentance extra hard for me. My mind thinks on multiple levels at once. This is hard to explain. Not multi-tasking, but very deep, all thoughts in my mind at once-comprehension. A probable contribution from being raised as a thinker. I believe it's partially aware-subconscious thought, interwoven with regular conscious. Meaning I think equally with my subconscious and conscious. Even as I write this now, I question myself and try to think really deep, to make sure none of what I write here is out of pride. I sometimes feel I have sins in my heart that don't even have a name, or exist outside of my mind. Just being the way my mind works. I feel like I sin, and I don't know what to ask for forgiveness, as I don't know the name for the sin. I wish I was simple minded. This is a lot, I vented half way through, but I hope someone has some encouraging words. If not, hopefully my testimony opens someones eyes. May God bless all of your spirits.

My story is so confusing. Ill just say that i dont think ive ever truly accepted Christ as my Savior. I envy the changed lifestyles that Christians have. Some. How can I get that? I am glad that i dont think im reprobate anymore. But my life isnt changed. How can I... well be saved.

REQUIRED if you want to live with God the Father. Let me give you the definition in brief. Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the House of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enabled to give them the key words, the signs and tokens, pertaining to the Holy Priesthood, and gain your eternal exaltation in spite of earth and hell. (Brigham Young, 6 Apr 1853, Journal of Discourses vol. 2, page 31) "The Journal of Discourses is a vehicle of doctrine, counsel, and instruction to ALL people, but especially to the Saints." — Brigham Young "Now, let all who may hear these doctrines, pause before they make light of them, or treat them with indifference, for they will prove their salvation or damnation? (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 1, pp. 50,51) "I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the Children of men, that they may not call scripture!" Bringham Young, Journal of Discourses, Volume 13, page 95. ... I am an Apostle of Joseph Smith.... all who reject my testimony will go to hell, so sure as there is one, no matter whether it be hot or cold ... (vol. 3, p. 212). "Brigham Young secured stenographic reports of his addresses. As he traveled among the people, reporters accompanied him. All that he said was recorded. Practically all of these discourses (from December 16, 1851 to August 19, 1877) were published in the Journal of Discourses, which was widely distributed. The public utterances of few great historical figures have been so faithfully and fully preserved." - John A. Widtsoe, Discourses of Brigham Young (1925), Deseret Book, 1954 edition: ISBN 0-87747-066-9.

Investigative judgment means no assurance of salvation. According to SDA’s, beginning on October 22, 1844, Christ entered upon the “judgment phase” of His ministry, whereby He blots out sin. The SDA “Investigative Judgement” doctrine rests on Ellen White’s claimed revelation that Christ entered the Holy of Holies not at His ascension, but in 1844 (The Great Controversy, p.362-373). Hebrews 9:12 contradicts White’s theory: “by His own blood he entered (past tense) in once (not in 1844) into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.’ Hebrews 9:12,25. (v.26. ‘now once in the end of the world hath he appeared (33AD) to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself’. SDA’s teach that Christ transferred the record of believers sins to the heavenly sanctuary, which will be finally cleansed at the conclusion of the Investigative Judgment, their day of atonement. White says in “Patriarchs and Prophets”, p.357 this heresy: “The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin. It would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement.” SDAs filter all Scripture through White’s prophecies. Hence SDA’s sins are not cancelled or forgiven yet. What a worry. No wonder they have no assurance of salvation until the imaginary Investigative Judgment is finished. Q: If Christ can create the universe in 6 days, why does He take from 1844 until now to investigate the books? Is Christ a slow reader? These 6 verses show the SDA Investigative Judgment to be false: “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” 2 Timothy 2:19. “I know my sheep.” John 10:14 “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “he had by himself purged our sins.” Hebrews 1:3 “yet now hath he reconciled...” Colossians 1:21. “having forgiven you all trespasses.” Colossians 2:13 Christ’s judgments are after He returns, not before: “When the Son of Man shall come in his glory then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations.” Matt. 25:31,32. Hebrews 4:13 exposes the SDA limitation on Christ’s omniscience: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Since Jesus knows all cases already, why must He investigate?

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION I think one of the questions most Christians ask themselves at least once in their lives is “am I saved?”. I know I have asked that very same question a lot more than once. A good answer may look something like this: Let's say that we are on a 20-foot boat out in the ocean. We are sailing along when we notice two men in the water. There is no other boat around, so it is obvious these two men are in trouble. We take a life preserver, tie it to a rope, and throw it to them. It lands just a few feet short. We start yelling and yelling for them to grab the life preserver, so we can pull them in. "Come on," we yell. "Grab it! Grab it!" One of the men, exhausted, reaches out his arm for the life preserver but falls short. "Grab it!"we yell again. He reaches again, and his arm plops down in the water from fatigue. The waves slap his face, but he tries again. The other man is simply floating face down in the water. He isn't struggling at all. But, the first man is trying for that life preserver. He is fighting against the ocean, the wind, and the waves, all which are greater than he is. That is when I ask the person, "Which one of the two men in the water is alive?" Always, the response is, "The one reaching for the life preserver." "Right," I say. "He is struggling for life. Dead people don't struggle for life . . . and spiritually dead people do not struggle against their sin. Only those who are dead, who have no life in them, do not struggle. The fact that you are struggling against your sin is one very good sign that you are very much alive in Christ. If you were not struggling at all, then it might be true that you weren't saved. But, since you war against your sins, then it sure sounds like you're saved to me." I have only recently discovered this analogy and it has been a huge blessing for me. However. many followers of Jesus Christ look for the assurance of salvation in the wrong places. We tend to seek assurance of salvation in the things God is doing in our lives, in our spiritual growth, in the good works and obedience to God’s Word that is evident in our Christian walk. While these thing CAN be evidence of salvation, they are not what we should base the assurance of our salvation. Rather, we should find the assurance of our salvation in the objective truth of God’s Word. We should have confident trust that we are saved based on the promises God has declared, not because of our subjective experiences. II Timothy 1 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: 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. I John 5 13 These 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. The keys words are that “ye may know that ye have eternal life” Many Christians base their assurance of salvation upon personal FEELINGS. The problem with this is that your feelings change. One day you may feel saved. The next day due to circumstances, you may NOT feel saved. You have something MORE than feelings to go by – the unchanging WORD OF GOD: 1 John 5: 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. There Are THREE grounds for your assurance: • The Person of GOD – Titus 1: 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; GOD CANNOT LIE – That settles that! • The Promises of GOD – John 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. – John 6: 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. – Romans 10: 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. • The Presence of GOD – Romans 5: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. God gives us His HOLY GHOST who dwells in our hearts. – Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. The Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit (thru the Word of God) that we are in fact God’s children. God’s witness of Jesus Christ has always been given in scripture which leads is substantiated in: I John 5: 9 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. How may I know I am saved? • I know I am saved because I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ Acts 16: 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. • I know I am saved because I HATH the Son I John 5: 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. • I know I am saved because I have a love for the brethren. I John 3: 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. • I know I am saved because I desire to keep God’s commandments. I john 2: 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. • I know I am saved because I desire to turn from the World and all its sin. I John 2: 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. • I know I am saved because I am overcoming the World. I John 5: 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. • I know I am saved because I have the witness of the Spirit within me through the Word I John 5: 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. • I know I am saved because my life is evidencing good fruit. Matthew 7: 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. • I know I am saved because I hear the Lord’s voice (through the word) and desire to follow Him. John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

1 John 5:13 "These 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." Key words: "know" and "have". both present-tense. Praise God.