Is it dangerous to assume you are saved?

[Artemus Prime]

Exactly.  Salvation should not be treated like the lottery.  "Hey!  I won!  Woo hoo!  Now I can run around and blow everything I've gained and still be saved and make it to heaven!"

Christianity is a lifestyle, not an event.  We need to live out our salvation.  Repentance is key.  Repentance is not an "I'm sorry (I got caught).  Thanks for forgiving me.  See you next month for a new forgiveness session.  You know I'm going to sin anyway, so I'll just keep asking for Your forgiveness because I can't help it." 

It's a "Forgive me for my sins.  I recognize my need for You and to live how Your Word shows me to live.  Be my Strength in my weakness.  I turn away from my sins and, with Your strength, I will move forward with You as my Savior and the Holy Spirit to guide me so that I may glorify the Father."

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amen to that, Keith! What a well done post. As well I agree, Christianity is not just a once-in-time event, it is a lifestyle, a process. In order to change one's behavior, one must first change their thinking about their behavior! In other words, it is absolutely vital that we understand the difference between repentance and regret...

I think an excellent example of this idea as pertains to Scripture can be found in the story of the Lost (Prodigal) Son in Luke 15.

Again, Amen brother! What a refreshing read.... Blessings, AP

[Christ's Free Servant]

CFS, you are absolutely correct in that observation. Although, this movement isn't new. It has been around for a while now (15 yrs or so).

John MacArthur has written a fabulous book, which I highly recommend, denouncing this new "easy-believism" that is sweeping the Church. It's called The Gospel According to Jesus.

Dr. MacArthur balances the need for repentance and faith with the biblical truth that salvation is by grace through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.

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I guess "new" is relative, is it not? If you consider the fact that Christianity has been around for 2000 years, 15 years is relatively new.

Thanks for the recommendation on the book. I'll have to check it out. It sounds like a good book, and he is a good author.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Exactly.  Salvation should not be treated like the lottery.  "Hey!  I won!  Woo hoo!  Now I can run around and blow everything I've gained and still be saved and make it to heaven!"

Christianity is a lifestyle, not an event.  We need to live out our salvation.  Repentance is key.  Repentance is not an "I'm sorry (I got caught).  Thanks for forgiving me.  See you next month for a new forgiveness session.  You know I'm going to sin anyway, so I'll just keep asking for Your forgiveness because I can't help it." 

It's a "Forgive me for my sins.  I recognize my need for You and to live how Your Word shows me to live.  Be my Strength in my weakness.  I turn away from my sins and, with Your strength, I will move forward with You as my Savior and the Holy Spirit to guide me so that I may glorify the Father."

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Absolutely!!

[Kansasdad]

Cruel sounding metaphors but preaching and proclaiming exclusive and closed membership and using scriptures and faith that ignore the all inclusive nature of everyone unless they enter and accept the house rules is far from what Jesus meant and has only led to wars and dark ages and holy crusades and inquisitions.

Jesus said He was the Truth, The Light, and The Way! He said no one comes to the Father but by Him! Doesn't sound too "all inclusive" to me.

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What is Jesus. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus was the living Human example of the word of God. It is only through the Word of God that we can come to the Father.

God Bless,

Kansas Dad