BS – 4 ‘Faith’
Lesson point: Can I Be Sure that I Have True Faith
- INTRODUCTION
- All people are either of-Christ or they, without knowing, default as anti-Christ. It doesn’t have to mean that they are ‘bad’ people; some may be loving, giving, and even have compassion on hurting people. It is more like they have never asked Christ Jesus to be their Savior and Lord. We mortals were initially created in the image of God. Each time a baby is born they have the basic characteristics and image of the first child of Adam and Eve; he was Cain who, when born, resembled the image of God.
- DO ALL OF US NEED GOD’S GRACE?
- The omnipotent God who created, in six days, all that we have knowledge of has also provided all that we need. HE provides mankind with a ‘time’, somewhere during their lifetime, with a source of someone sharing the Word, or maybe a Bible with a verse that causes the individual to have a conviction. None of us ever sprouted an antenna and heard the sound waves from the universe. All of us need to hear about our CREATOR to be convinced that somewhere in our life we have sinned and need a redeemer to provide atonement or the forgiveness of our sins. Isn’t that God’s GRACE to you and me; HE provides the scripture, which informs us of our need. [Ephesians 2:8-9]
- WHAT MUST EACH OF US DO?
- When we become aware, through conviction, that we need Christ the Lord; he who has already shed HIS blood [Why blood? Leviticus 17:11] for the sins of mankind; we have to confess with our own lips, with remorse, that Jesus is the only path that leads from sin to eternal life in heaven. [Romans 10:9-10]
- [Note – When we realize that Jesus had to suffer and die for our sin, we should then realize that we ‘sinners’ were the cause of HIS suffering and death. I would think this should make us feel somewhat remorseful that our sin was the cause of HIS suffering-Only the blood shed by God-the-Son cleanses the sin of mankind]
- IS IT OUR CHOICE TO REJECT GOD’S PLAN?
- For the record; some people choose to be antichrist. They actually deny or reject Christ as God the Son. Even Satan believes in God [Father – Son – Holy Spirit]. [James 2:19] BUT Satan will not be in HEAVEN; didn’t Satan try to deceive Jesus into worshiping him? [ Mark 1:13] Since Jesus, as a man, was able to reject the false truths of the devil; shouldn’t we be able to as well?
- WHAT PROVISIONS DOES GOD PROVIDE?
- Looking at the big picture, what is it that God provides for a person who Repents and believes the Gospel? The Gospel is the Good News; it means that the Word became flesh; it provides the spiritual message needed, for these last days prior to HIS 2nd coming [the Word is a description of Jesus]. We can only have eternal life through Christ my Lord? [ HE provides Grace – Salvation – Redemption – Atonement – Justification – Propitiation – Sanctification and Eternal life with Glorification; to mention a few.] Think about it; true Born Again Christians are adopted into God’s family. Does it cost, even a dollar, to be included into this family? A Question – What might it cost to join an exclusive Country Club? Maybe fifty-thousand initiation fee and several hundred each month; maybe even more. The temporary status they have is not long, compared to the eternal life of a true Christian; which is a gift coming directly from God.
- WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH REPENTANCE?
- Christians; many who claim to be a Christian have never truly repented with an inner heart-felt conviction, for their sin [Romans 3:23]. For many, it seemed like all they have to do is BELIEVE [An intellectual knowledge]. Years ago, I believed that Jesus could heal people, that he died on the cross for sin, and that HE was resurrected on Easter Sunday. The belief I had was not a Saving Belief. It was head knowledge. It was actually what the adults in my Sunday school class told me. It was several years later that I heard the Good News proclaimed and I was totally convicted; I knew that I needed Jesus shed blood as my atonement; to remove my sin. At that time the Spirit of God convinced me that HE had a better plan for my life. I felt remorse that I was one of those sinners that Jesus had to suffer and die for. How about you? Do you have a False Hope and think because you have said the words or might have even been baptized that you are fire proof and don’t have to worry about the lake of fire [Hell]? Monetary payments OR good works will not get you through the eye of the needle to eternal life. [Matthew 19:24] Wouldn’t you like to make the CHOICE to accept Christ with a true Faith; then turn from Sin and turn to God? That is a question for ALL of mankind.
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Ephesians 2:8-9, For by [God’s] grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Romans 10:9-10, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
James 2:19, You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. [Many people believe with head knowledge; fully trusting is the key.]
Matthew 19:23-26, And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” [Many rich men trust in their riches instead of putting their trust in Christ]
Matthew 10:32, Therefore everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is heaven. But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven. [Mankind, with their own mouth must confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior before others IF they expect to enter through the narrow gate to heaven]
Romans 3:23, ..for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [What does ALL mean? Doesn’t it mean ALL of us need to repent and put our trust in Christ for our atonement?]
The POINT: It is a choice to repent and trust; have you made it?
DG