How do we know if we have true saving faith?
Christ Jesus, the Lord and Savior came into the world to save
sinners [1 Tim. 1:15]. He died for all sinners [Heb. 2:9, 1 John
2:2] that anyone who believes [trusts] in Him will have everlasting
life [now in this world] the very moment he or she believes
[trusts].
However, it doesnt necessarily mean that since the Savior died for
us all that all of us are automatically saved. No. One must receive
that salvation obtained by Him through faith [through trusting in
that one all-sufficient sacrifice of His on the cross].
An incident happened in the life of the apostle Paul wherein a man
stirred up in his spirit began to have this holy concern for the
spiritual state of his soul asked Paul this question:
He brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be
saved?
They replied, Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be
saved, along with your entire household. [Acts
16:30-31]
Notice the apostle did not say: Ah dont worry about it. You are
already saved. Christ died for you
.. you know. None of that. Paul
however, urged him to believe [trust] on the Lord Jesus Christ to
be saved. Yes, Christ Jesus died for him but in order for him to
obtain the salvation freely offered by Christ to sinners, he must
receive it by faith. Christ died for all, so He offers His
salvation to all. Man over the centuries have either accepted it or
rejected it. You accept it by believing. You reject it by being
unbelieving.
And you will ask: So am I saved since I believe in Christ? Yes,
if your faith is genuine. Question is: Is your faith genuine? How
will you know if its genuine or spurious? The answer is: THE
GENUINENESS OR SPURIOUSNESS OF YOU FAITH DEPENDS ON WHOM YOU PLACE
YOUR FAITH ON. Faith is either true or false depending on the
object of your faith.
Ask yourself these questions:
1) Am I trusting in Christ alone [trusting on what He did on the
cross alone] for salvation?
2) Am I trusting, depending, relying on what can I do for Christ to
be saved? Or am I trusting, depending, relying solely on what
Christ has completely and permanently done for me in Calvary?
3) if you have been led to the Lord sometime before by someone
through sinners prayer, ask yourself: when I prayed that prayer,
was I trusting in the prayer I made to Christ or did I trust in
Christ alone for salvation through that prayer?
The divine injunction my friend is: Believe on the Lord Jesus and
you will be saved
.
True saving faiths sole object is the Lord Jesus Christ. Not Jesus
and prayers [though we should be praying always after we are saved
not in order to be saved]. Not Jesus and church attendance [though
we should be faithful church attendees after we are saved not in
order to be saved]. Not Jesus and good works [though we should be
fruitful in doing good works after we are saved not in order to be
saved]. Not Jesus and the 10 commandments [though we should
manifest righteous lives after we are saved not in order to be
saved].
Not Jesus and being nailed to the cross yourself during Holy Week
time. Jesus crucifixion was enough and complete for all sins for
all time. [From where i come from people are so sinfully religious.
some of them volunter to be crucified on the cross. of course they
use safe nails free from tetanus and etc. their motive is that they
want to atone for their sins. An insult to Christ's all sufficient
work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]
Are you solely trusting in Christ Jesus my friend [His person as
Savior and His work on the cross in Calvary] to be saved? If yes,
your faith is genuine. Praise God brother or
sister!!!!!!!!!!!
Note: Acts 16:30-31. Does not teach salvation by representative
proxy. No one can believe for others. Each of us must individually
appropriate Christ's saving work through faith.
If you continue on reading to verse 34. Paul baptized all of the
jailer's household because they all believed.
