Yo, am I still "saved" or whatever its called?

[Guest shiloh357]

These good works you speak of, does this mean just being a nicer person? Because I've always been nice. I try to be a good person. Could you elaborate on what "good works" we need to be doing? And what's the difference between "believing" and "accepting"? I've always thought the two had the same meaning.

As for prayer, bible reading etc, I agree that I should be doing it more often, but most of the time I am busy and never get a chance. Some strong Christians I know even say they sometimes don't feel like reading the Bible or spending time with God on some days....does this mean their salvation is questionable? I agree that we should have the desire, but just because we don't do these things every single day doesn't mean we aren't truly saved.

In conclusion, thanks for the advice, I might have more questions later. Sorry I haven't been on this site in awhile, I've been going on another Christian message board site for the past several months. I just came back to see if certain people I knew on this site were still here, and they still were! Yay!

As for what I believe, I belive I am still saved, I'm just not being a very good role model or growing as a believer, which I will work on. Everyone struggles with this, but with God's help I will become more efficient. It just takes time.

Peace out,

Shady

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because I've always been nice. I try to be a good person. Could you elaborate on what "good works" we need to be doing? And what's the difference between "believing" and "accepting"? I've always thought the two had the same meaning.

James tells us in James chapter two that even the demons believe in God, and tremble. If you claim to believe, but have no works, how is your "acceptance" any different than the demons' acceptance? To truly put your faith in Christ, is much more than saying, "yeah I believe that is true." It means committing your whole self, Spirit, soul and body over to Christ. It means giving Him everything, and making Him the Lord, Master, and Savior of your life. It is life of obedience, servanthood, and sacrifice. That is way more than merely "accepting."

Good works is not about being nice, but about following Scripture and allowing God to work through us. The works are not ours, but His. God desires that we be His hands, feet, ears mouth. Anyone can be a nice person. I am talking about being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by His Spirit. It amounts to you surrendering your life on the "altar." Paul calls this "a living sacrifice." Your will surrenders to God's Will. His desires become your desires. His Will becomes yours. The heart of a true Christian wants God live His Life through them. This is how God is glorified in our lives.

Some strong Christians I know even say they sometimes don't feel like reading the Bible or spending time with God on some days....does this mean their salvation is questionable?

There is a difference between going through what we call "dry times" and a total lack of any desire to read the Word, pray, or be in communion with the Lord at all. Every Christian goes through low times, that is quite common. However, you do not appear, judging from your own admission to have much of a desire to be in prayer, to be in the Word, etc. That is why you need to examine yourself to see if you are truly in the faith. I am not saying you are not, but you really need to check and see.

I agree that we should have the desire, but just because we don't do these things every single day doesn't mean we aren't truly saved.

The fact that you don't any desire for the things of God goes crosswise with a profession of faith. Here is the litmus test: 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away, behold all things are made new." Slimshady, are you a new creature? Can you say that your life is totally different now, than when you were unsaved? Do you truly have a new heart and a new set of desires? If not, then what is keeping you from that? If you cannot truly say you are new creature, then according to 2 Cor. 5:17, can you honestly say you are in Christ?

[Guest Bro David™]

Brother David,

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Ro

[Guest Bro David™]

[quote name='Bro David

[Guest shiloh357]

[quote name='Bro David

[Guest Bro David™]

Let me draw you an analogy.  It is like the New Age people who claim that God created the universe yet they believe that the universe is itself, God.  It is not possible to be both creator and creature at the same time.  If God created the universe it presupposes that He had to preexist that which He created, correct?

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Yes I agree.

The same here.  Just as creation is evidence of the God that created it, likewise faith is evidenced by the works it creates.  Your actions are a revelation of what you believe or don't believe.  If you don't believe in God, your actions will reveal that.  If you are a believer, your actions will reveal that as well.  Faith, or the lack thereof, always creates corresponding actions. 

Ultimately, we will live what we believe.  We can't help it. A person can hide their true beliefs for a while behind false piety, and spiritual sounding platitudes.  When they least expect it though,  the truth will come out.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I just asked the same questions in Bible class and got 39 rebuttals in one second flat.

LOLA.

Yeah I get it now.

If our Faith is real it will be shown by our works.

If we really have Faith it will be shown by what we do.

Right Shiloh ?

By the way I finally figured out what Shiloh means.

[Matthitjah]

Bro David,

Amen! Way to go.

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Heb

[NITE OWL]

What are works?

[Matthitjah]

Night Owl,

God bless you and Grace to you.

Works are the Living and active Word of God walked out by Faith. In Obedience to God's Will.

Peace,

Dave

[Matthitjah]

JB Slim,

God is speaking today. If today you hear His voice? Harden not your heart.

I just got this Devotional from George whose Ministry this is;

David, let

[TEN COMMANDMENTS]

Slim, there are many today that are claiming to be a christian that aren't. They at one time in their lives gave lip service to God that many they confessed Jesus as Lord only with their mouths but the scripture also says in Romans 10:9 that if we confess with our mouths and believe in our hearts we will be saved. Your spiritual condition is between God and yourself God knows you better than yourself and He knows if you are serious in your commitment to Him. There are people setting in church pews today that will not see heaven. That statement riles some in the church but God's word is true there are goats sitting in with the sheep in our churches also works will not save you we can be good all we want to and the fact of the matter is if we mess up just one time thats why we need Jesus to save us just one sin would warrant judgement in our case just as the Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When Jesus truly saves you you want be the same i know when He saved me He changed me the things i use to do listen to and watch I could no longer do them and enjoy them without God convicting me. So Slim you need to examine yourself and ask yourself was i serious when i surrendered my life to God or was it just lip-service