The three stages of salvation – indicating that salvation is more a process than an event. We have just spent a lengthy chapter seeking to reconcile what the Bible says about assurance of salvation with the warnings given about the danger of losing our salvation. That would all …
Read MoreThe importance of the fear of the Lord
You will never start to do any of this, or continue doing so, unless you fear the Lord. Therefore ask God to give you a healthy and powerful fear of Him. But don’t just leave it to Him. Pursue it for yourself. Read His Word. …
Read MoreWhat if a person dies without having been baptised in water and/or without receiving the Holy Spirit?
What happens if a person has truly started out on “the Way”, having truly repented and believed, and then dies before realising the need for water baptism or before receiving the Holy Spirit? My firm belief is that they would go to Heaven. That person …
Read MoreCan we go to Heaven if we aren’t fully sanctified during this life?
Can we go to Heaven if we aren’t fully sanctified? The short answer to this is yes, we can. That’s because during this life nobody is ever fully sanctified or fully holy. That state of perfection will only come after we die. The Bible does …
Read MoreWhat about people who are complacent?
Although I have said above that there are some people who struggle with doubt and uncertainly, they are much rarer nowadays. When I first became a Christian in 1981 it was common to hear sermons on assurance of salvation. That was because in those days …
Read MoreIs it arrogant to feel sure that you’re saved and will go to Heaven?
Being sure of your own salvation, i.e. justification, is not arrogance. It would only be arrogant if you thought that it depended on you matching up to a certain standard. That is not what Christianity is about. Justification is not based on our own good …
Read MoreThe part that demons play in either reducing our assurance or increasing our complacency
Often the doubt and fear about whether we are saved is caused, or intensified, by demons whispering into a real Christian’s mind. They do it deliberately because they want to create anxiety and uncertainty. Alternatively, if you are already leaning towards being complacent, the demon will want …
Read MoreRewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ
If we do honour Him, hold fast and persevere, and if we do bear fruit in our lives, then not only will we have assurance of salvation, but we will also be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ. See how Paul spoke as he looked back …
Read MoreDo not deny Jesus and He will not deny you. But, if you do deny Jesus, then He will deny you.
The first question is “Are you saved?” If you are, then resolve to remain so. Stay firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. Never leave Him and then He will never leave you. Never deny Him and He will never deny you. But, if you do deny Him, then He will …
Read MoreThe warnings against losing your salvation – the need to persevere
If we extend the train analogy, what would happen if, as time passed, the refugee got more and more relaxed and casual and chose to get off the train? What if he was to get out at a station and wander off to buy a …
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