"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9
I had a conversation with a lady yesterday and in asking about the state of her soul the conversation went like this:
Me: What about your relationship with Jesus? Are you saved?
Her: Yes
Me: Is He your Savior and Lord?
Her: Yes
Me: So you have been born-again?
Her: I have been baptized.
Me: Baptism and being born-again aren't the same thing. Being baptized is not what saves you.
I am concerned at the mentality, and lack of spiritual understanding, that most people have. I have asked many people on many occasions about their salvation and the answers I got were "mind blowing". One young man told me he believed that he was saved because when you look at creation around you, you have to believe in God. Well, the creation does declare the Lord's existence but belief in Him only does not save you. The devils believe-- they even recognize Jesus and call Him by name in the Bible-- but they aren't saved, they are headed to the lake of fire.
Others have told me that they are saved because they were brought up in church, joined a certain church, didn't cheat on their taxes, tried not to cuss, they had grandparents who were Christians, one even told me he was saved because he was born in America. What!?
Now you know why I am concerned. (And rightfully so.) I am concerned that people are placing their eternal security in the wrong place and things. God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to die for us. His shed blood played the price for our sins. He took the punishment for our sins that we deserved. There are not enough good works that we can do to be saved. We can't attend church enough to be saved. Religious adherences won't save us. There is nothing that can save us except faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Jesus said we have to be born-again. If we aren't, we won't enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
What are you placing the hope of your eternal security in? You can be sincere in your belief, but be sincerely wrong. Make sure you have it placed in the right place and the right way. It is "eternal" security we are talking about.... eternity is a long, long time. (It never ends.)
Have a great day. Are you truly saved because your trust and faith is in Jesus Christ? Because you are born-again? Because you are following Him as your Lord? Everything else that you are placing it in is not secure.
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