Life’s greatest tragedy

[stilllearning]

Normally when you think of a tragedy, you think about some great disaster, like an earthquake or flood, that takes thousands of lives. Well there is an even greater disaster than this, that is effecting Billions of people. This disaster isn’t greater, because it hurts more people, but because of the duration, in which these people will be hurt.

The tragedy, that I am referring to, is a Spiritual tragedy. And we can read about it in Matthew chapter 7.

Matthew 7:21-23
V.21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
V.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
V.23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The tragedy talked about in this passage, is the tragedy of a religious person, thinking that they are saved, and on their way to heaven; Only to find out too late, that they weren’t really saved, at all. The Bible tells us here and many other places, that Billions of people, are going to be deceived in this way, and will have to spend an eternity in Hell, because of it.

The most important thing in the world for us to do, is to make 1000% sure, that we are truly born again, and not just religious (See 2 Corinthians 13:5). Faith in Jesus Christ alone, is the only way of true forgiveness and salvation. Making sure that we are doing things, “according to the Bible”, and not “according to man’s opinion”, is another good way, to make sure, that you are really saved.

One of the best ways, to know if you are really saved, is by how you react to the Gospel, when it is preached. If that message, causes you to have any doubts about your relationship with God, this is a good sign, that you need to do some soul searching.

[RevOxley_501]

Matt 7:21-23 was one of my favorite verses as a Christian.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by stilllearning

Normally when you think of a tragedy, you think about some great disaster, like an earthquake or flood, that takes thousands of lives. Well there is an even greater disaster than this, that is effecting Billions of people. This disaster isn’t greater, because it hurts more people, but because of the duration, in which these people will be hurt.

The tragedy, that I am referring to, is a Spiritual tragedy. And we can read about it in Matthew chapter 7.

Matthew 7:21-23
V.21 ¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
V.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
V.23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The tragedy talked about in this passage, is the tragedy of a religious person, thinking that they are saved, and on their way to heaven; Only to find out too late, that they weren’t really saved, at all. The Bible tells us here and many other places, that Billions of people, are going to be deceived in this way, and will have to spend an eternity in Hell, because of it.

The most important thing in the world for us to do, is to make 1000% sure, that we are truly born again, and not just religious (See 2 Corinthians 13:5). Faith in Jesus Christ alone, is the only way of true forgiveness and salvation. Making sure that we are doing things, “according to the Bible”, and not “according to man’s opinion”, is another good way, to make sure, that you are really saved.

One of the best ways, to know if you are really saved, is by how you react to the Gospel, when it is preached. If that message, causes you to have any doubts about your relationship with God, this is a good sign, that you need to do some soul searching.

Hello still learning,

I enjoyed reading this post and you raise as issue that is worthy to comtemplate.

You mention three things in order to know that you are saved. And I want you to really think about your answer on this.

The first thing you mentoned is faith. On that you said well. Faith in Jesus Christ qualifies us to recieve salvation. And as long as we maintain the kind of faith the bible commands us to have then we continue to qualify and recieve the salvation promised to the children of faith.

The second thing you mention is doing things the right way. And doing things the right way is a very important thing. But doing things the right does not produce salvation nor does it provide assurance of salvation. If it did then we could save ourselves through good works and correct behavior. We wouldn`t need a Savior and I think we both understand that the Bible condemns those who believe they are saved in that manner.

Lastly you mention hearing the gospel and having doubts. I think that is thin ice. The Bible states that God chose the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. The preaching of the gospel, when it is properly conducted is designed to reprove us and correct us. Hearing the gospel should often times prick our hearts and stir our souls onto greater obedience. If you are hearing the gospel and it just has a feel good message to it that doesn`t challenge you to break up fallow ground in your life then I would esteem it to mean that you are hearing feel good gospel-lite which is popular in our day.

The Bible tells us how we can know we are saved.

14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Spirit within our spirit is the proof of salvation. Without the Holy Spirit we cannot know we are saved and we aren`t saved.

9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And this Holy Spirit within us is the power that is going to raise us up into immortality.

11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Isn`t Romans 8 a great chapter of Bible?

Those who will be told "I never knew you", are those who do not have the Holy Spirit within them. If Christ does not dwell in you then He doesn`t know you.

[stilllearning]

Hi Rick

It was nice to hear from you.

You had some questions about my statements:
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You first asked.........

“The first thing you mentoned is faith. On that you said well. Faith in Jesus Christ qualifies us to recieve salvation. And as long as we maintain the kind of faith the bible commands us to have then we continue to qualify and recieve the salvation promised to the children of faith.”

First of all, I actually said........

“Faith in Jesus Christ alone, is the only way of true forgiveness and salvation.”

I worded this in a way, that was stressing the word “alone”;
(Because so many people think that salvation is based upon good works
Sorry for the misunderstanding.

All the good works in the world, will not save anybody.
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Next you asked.......

“The second thing you mention is doing things the right way. And doing things the right way is a very important thing. But doing things the right does not produce salvation nor does it provide assurance of salvation.”

Again, I actually said.......

“Making sure that we are doing things, “according to the Bible”, and not “according to man’s opinion”, is another good way, to make sure, that you are really saved.”

Here I was talking about “an assurance of salvation”, and not necessarily getting saved.

In this sentence, I am stressing the words, “according to the Bible”, and not “according to man’s opinion”.

In other words, if a person wants to make sure that they are saved, they should not be totally dependent upon “man’s opinion”.
(The Bible is God’s Word, and gives us detailed instructions on how to get saved
So we should go to it for answers, instead of relying upon what some man says.
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Also you said......

“Lastly you mention hearing the gospel and having doubts. I think that is thin ice.”

My exact quote was.....

“One of the best ways, to know if you are really saved, is by how you react to the Gospel, when it is preached.”

I think that you and I are really on the same page here;
Because it sounds like you also agree, that the Gospel message is powerful.

A person’s salvation, is the most important issue in there life. If anyone has any doubts at all about whether or not they are saved and on there way to heaven, they shouldn’t put it off for even an hour. (Get it nailed down!)

But the fact remains, that your personal relationship with God, through His Son Jesus Christ, won’t be brought to mind, while watching your favorite TV program, or listening to you favorite music on the radio.
(Although there is nothing wrong with either one of these activities, they are not intended to deal with you, in your Spiritual life.)

But when you hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ presented, it will have an effect upon you. And most of the time, if you are not really saved, but are just “playing Church”, the preaching of the Gospel, will convict you, that you need to get saved.
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Rick, you ended your response, with a passage of Scripture. (That was great.)

But you neglected to give us the address of the passage;
(It was Romans 8:14-39)

I believe that it is always important to list the address, when we share Scripture;
So that people can go to their own Bibles, and make sure that we quoted it correctly.
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I hope that I have set the record straight, about what I meant to say in my post.

I look forward to hearing from you again.