After many weeks of some horrifying times, He heard my words and quickened me and gave me a new heart (Eph 2:1 & Eze 36-26-27). I now have hope and peace that I am one of the King of king’s soldiers. Though I’m not perfect, I know I am like Christian in the book Pilgrim’s Progress, who has set his sights on on the narrow gate toward the heavenly land and is faced with many obstacles to overcome.
Here are some questions each of us routinely need to think about as we examine ourselves to see if we be in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5 & 2 Peter 1:10):
Are we continuing to grow in faith through the written and spoken word of God?
Is the scripture providing us more God given wisdom (not head knowledge, but heartfelt wisdom) which is part of salvation?
Is God making us into wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption?
Has the Lord Jesus Christ given us everlasting peace and hope and established good works in our lives?
You see, salvation is past (Eph 2:8-10) present (1 Cor 1:21) and future (Mat. 24:13). Therefore we cannot rest in some single event such as walking an aisle and repeating a few words the preacher or counselor presents you with.
God willing, I pray He uses this to awaken at least one person to examine themselves to see if they truly be of the faith.
Scripture References
2Ti 3:14-17. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Mat 13:8-9. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
1 Cor. 1:30. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ezk 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Past
Eph 2:8-10. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Present
1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Future
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.