Accepting the Gift of Salvation. Are you really saved and why it matters?
The 6 Signs of Salvation
NEW awareness of sinNEW desires
NEW love
NEW theology
NEW Master
NEW purpose
In a Bible Study class at First Baptist Church of Manassas Virginia, Rev. George Duncan shared a lesson on salvation that centered on the conduct of those who are saved. Mentioned above are 6 signs he shared that are indicative of a saved person. Salvation is the default setting for all Christians are saved by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, by the grace of God and through faith. By a confession of faith in Jesus one becomes "born again," i.e., saved. When one is saved Duncan posited that everything internally is new. But it is not as simple as reciting the Sinner's Prayer or
Salvation is a gift from God that ensures eternal life. Ther word itself is a noun that denotes deliverance, protection. It is a freely given gift that "rescues" Believers from the consequence of eternal damnation, despite their spiritual impurities. However, this gift is not a remedy for the sinful nature of humans, for we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).Salvation is not only applicable to securing eternal life by also to how Christinas live. This is why it is important that Christians exemplify good conduct that is characteristic of the ways of Jesus.
The question concerning whether a person can lose their salvation is frequently asked: "Once you are saved, are you always saved?" The Apostle Paul tells us to search ourselves to see if we are living like we are saved. He encourages self-examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5, writing: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Why does this matter and HOW does one know if he/she is really saved. There are characteristics that distinguish the life of one who is truly saved. A transformation of the mind and spirit occurs when one chooses to accept Christ and this transformation is ongoing in spiritual growth and development in the life of a Believer. Galatians 5: 22-23 describes the "Fruit of the Spirit" of those who are reborn into the Christian fold. Known as the process of sanctification a Believer is constantly working to practice bearing spiritual fruit as a byproduct of holy living. The salvation deal is sealed on one's eternal fate with the confession of faith in Jesus Christ, unless God is rejected.
In 2 Timothy 2:12-13 (NLT), the consistent toil of man against a sinful world and the perpetual authority and faithfulness of God exthe relationship one must have to "If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who He is."
