Posted on 01/07/2013 6:02:58 AM PST by xzins
11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation: Test #3 - Do you Obey the Scriptures?
SO4J ^ | John MacArthur
Posted on 01/05/2013 7:35:55 AM PST by xzins
Test #1 of Series: 11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation: Test #1 - Do you enjoy Fellowship with God and Christ?
Test #2 of Series: 11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation: Test #2 - Are you Sensitive to Sin in your Life?
Is It Real? 11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation by John MacArthur - 11 Questions to help one see if they are Biblically Saved. Helps to Examine Their Faith with God's Word (2 Cor 13:5) to see if one is Biblically Saved. How Can I Know I Am Saved
- 2 Cor 13:5 (NASB) "TEST YOURSELVES to see if you are IN the FAITH; EXAMINE YOURSELVES! Or do you NOT recognize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you—unless indeed you FAIL the TEST?"
- 1 Cor 11:31-32 (NASB) "But if we JUDGED ourselves RIGHTLY, we would NOT be JUDGED. But when we are JUDGED, we are DISCIPLINED by the LORD so that we will NOT be CONDEMNED ALONG with the WORLD."
Test #3 - 11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation: Do you Obey the Scriptures?
1 John 2:3 couldn't be clearer: "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." If you want to know whether you're a true Christian, ask yourself whether you obey the commandments of Scripture. That's how Jesus described a true disciple when giving His Great Commission to go into all the world and make disciples (Matt 28:20). Obedience to the commands of God produces assurance--the confidence of knowing for sure "that we have come to know Him." The Greek word translated "keep" in verse 3 speaks of watchful, careful, thoughtful obedience. It involves not only the act of obedience, but also the spirit of obedience--a willing, habitual safeguarding of the Word, not just in letter but in spirit. That's supported by the word translated "commandments," which refers specifically to the precepts of Christ rather than laws in general. Legal obedience demands perfection or penalty, whereas 1 John 2:3 is a call to gracious obedience because of the penalty Christ has already paid.
Verse 4 presents a logical contrast: "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." That person is making a false claim. "But whoever keeps His Word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected" (v. 5). How can you determine if you are a true Christian? Not by sentiment but by obedience.
If you desire to obey the Word out of gratitude for all Christ has done for you, and if you see that desire producing an overall pattern of obedience, you have passed an important test indicating the presence of saving faith.
Obedience is not to "obtain" salvation, but is gratitude FOR salvation received AND meaningful participation in the mission He has set before us.
Jesus' commandments are not grievous.
Matthew 28:19 "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. "
Jesus said: John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I myself with the mind serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
IMHO...As Paul lamented...we cannot live sinless lives. If we could - there would be no reason for the sacrifice on the cross.
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The only necessary proof of salvation is 100% faith in Christ.
The presence of good works in one’s life is not sufficient or necessary proof. The absence of sin is not necessary proof.
This is very timely. Thank you, xzins.
Love God with all your heart and soul and stregnth and live as you please.
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The only necessary proof of salvation is 100% faith in Christ.
The presence of good works in one’s life is not sufficient or necessary proof. The absence of sin is not necessary proof.
See each of the previous threads that are part of the series.
Also, see post #4, this thread.
Obedience to Christ for a Christian is not about earning salvation; it is about loving Christ our God and being joyful to follow Him. Since they are already Christian, it obviously isn’t about obtaining salvation.
However, what does it mean is you delight in NOT following His instruction or in being apathetic about His instructions?
Paul says to examine ourselves to see if our faith is genuine. Disobedience to Christ should concern us. It should cause us either to repent/confess, or perhaps to wonder at the genuineness of our faith (2 Co 13:5)
See each of the previous threads that are part of the series.
Also, see post #4, this thread.
Obedience to Christ for a Christian is not about earning salvation; it is about loving Christ our God and being joyful to follow Him. Since they are already Christian, it obviously isn’t about obtaining salvation.
However, what does it mean if you delight in NOT following His instruction or in being apathetic about His instructions?
Paul says to examine ourselves to see if our faith is genuine. Disobedience to Christ should concern us. It should cause us either to repent/confess, or perhaps to wonder at the genuineness of our faith (2 Co 13:5)
You are welcome. Thank you for your kind words.
Provided one means it and isn't using the words as some kind of intellectual dodge.
How do you know you passed?
Nothing we can do will ever bridge the gap between the flesh and perfection. If we could enter heaven with works there would be no need for salvation.
These man made tests do nothing other than highlight our deficiency. If I were searching for a faith and saw the above requirements I would have to pass.
Jesus IS our salvation.
The Apostle Paul said, "2 Cor 13:5 (NASB) "TEST YOURSELVES to see if you are IN the FAITH; EXAMINE YOURSELVES! Or do you NOT recognize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you—unless indeed you FAIL the TEST?" "
If we believe Paul inspired by God in the writing of 2 Corinthians, then we don't consider his words "man made".
Many people who call themselves believers fail this test. Yes we are saved by faith but our works prove our faith. If we do not follow God's word and have good works (i.e. good fruit) then are we really God's followers? Such was the fig tree Jesus cursed. Many people overemphasize "faith" apart from works but forget that the Biblical Hebrew notion of real faith meant believeing and doing, not just "believing".
He does not ask us to "test God", but to test ourselves to determine if our faith is authentic.
Apparently, Paul wasn't impressed with fake faith.
Nonetheless, Paul wrote what he wrote. He doesn’t ask your pastor or religious leader to examine you; he instructs YOU to examine YOU to test to see if your faith is genuine.
Using the Word of God as a measure by which to conduct that test makes much more sense than either (1) ignoring Paul’s instruction and pretending it isn’t in the Bible, or (2) devising one’s own personal little test that is not connected to the Word of God.
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