GOSPEL MESSAGES

SIMPLE THOUGHTS ON SALVATION

OF THE SOUL---

HOW CAN I KNOW I AM SAVED?

"How many children say, I'd like to go to heaven;

Yet never think that they must have their sins forgiven,

Before they can in glory be,

Or Jesus Christ in glory see.

"None can to glory go, or dwell with God above,

Save they who Jesus know, and taste a Savior's love;

The holy words of truth declare

No other grounds of entrance there.

"But now this living way to all is open free;

And ruined sinners may go in and happy be---

May have their sins through Christ forgiven,

The only way to enter heaven."

- Echoes Of Grace Hymns

The question is sometimes raised by professing Christians as to how they can know they have believed in the right way, or otherwise believed to salvation and be assured of heaven. We might do well to examine the meaning of belief, for man believes many things, which often means just allowing that something is so because it sounds logical, or without questioning it. Believing in God begins by talking to Him, not just saying a prayer statement. One needs a personal relationship.

1. Has one come to accept that he is a sinner before a holy God, and therefore cannot enter heaven? Believing in God, believing about Jesus Christ, and trying to keep the ten commandments will not put away sins.

2. Has there been a time when one has come before God alone in the secret of one's heart, and confessed that one is a sinner, and realizes the need to be saved for heaven? If that has not been done, then today one needs to repent (turn from self to God).

3. Has one acknowledged, as the Bible declares, that God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world to save man; and that He showed us God--the Father, and Himself as God's Son; then after ordaining the twelve apostles, He delivered Himself into the hands of wicked men to be God's sacrifice for sin? He paid the price of redemption we could never pay, and offers it as a free gift apart from our works. No man can work his way into heaven. Does one know He then arose from the grave and returned to heaven? Does one believe that?

4. Has there been a time when one has thanked the Lord Jesus for dying for one's sins, and declared to Him that he is now receiving Him for eternal life and hope? If not, is it now time? A soul who has trusted Jesus from childhood years, may not remember and thus be able to answer this question, but one can always come to the Lord and reaffirm this, for it is very important that one receives the Lord---not just believe about Him.

5. Has there been a time when one has truly believed on God's Son? For then one will have "passed from death unto life" (John 5:24) by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God says: "He that has the Son has (eternal) life, and he that has not the Son of God has not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God" (see I John 5:10-13). Will you settle this matter by doing your part? God says: "Behold, now is the accepted time" (II Cor. 6:2).

Salvation is not in reading this, but acting on it. It really only takes a few minutes to accomplish the work of faith. The evidence of this is in the question: "What think ye of Christ"? Can one truthfully say: I have received Him, am devoted to Him, have communion with Him, and want to live for Him always? The Holy Spirit will make His abode in that one and seal him as a child of God forever (John 14:16-23; John 3:36).

A faithful believer in Christ will walk with Him and talk with Him all day, until that day when one can see Him and be with Him forever in the Father's house. - RLD, '04; rev. 10/06

HONOR FOR THE SON

The story is told of a very wealthy man who had an only son. This man dearly loved his boy, who in turn both loved and honored his father. One day, to his father's immense grief, the boy died. At last the old man himself passed away.

When they came to settle the estate no trace could be found of the old man's will. In vain they searched, until at last the authorities ordered that the property should be sold and his estate settled according to law.

At the auction one of the articles put up for sale was a portrait of the boy who had died. The picture had little or no value in the eyes of most present, but among the bidders was an old woman who had nursed the rich man's son when he was a child. For a very small sum she bought the picture, glad to have this reminder of one she had loved and cared for years before.

One day while cleaning and repairing the frame, the old lady discovered at the back of the picture a document which turned out to be the old man's will. He had left all of his property to anybody who loved his son well enough to buy his portrait at the sale. The old lady became rich overnight.

So it is, dear reader, that God looks upon the one who loves His Son. There is nothing too good, too great, too wonderful for the one who loves and honors the Son of God. He or she can sing: "The Father's face of radiant grace, now shines in love on me".

A nice character, a good life, good deeds, can never purchase God's forgiveness and blessing. But His heart overflows in lavish kindness to the one who appreciates and trusts His Son.

The Lord Jesus honored His Father perfectly in His life, and then went on to honor Him in His death. God will ever put honor upon the work of His Son. He will bless every soul who will put his trust in Jesus.

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:35-36).

- Bible Truth Publishers