Michael continues: Category four is those who know that they know that they know that they are saved. Jesus said, "I write you these things that Ye may know that ye have eternal life." To determine if a person is in this category, the first test question is, "Do you love Jesus?" Jesus said, "If you love me you'll keep my commandments." The Apostle Paul said, "The spirit bears witness with my spirit that we are sons of God." The second test question is, "Do you know the Lord?" The Apostle Paul said, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that (Holy Spirit) which he's committed unto me against that day (of righteous judgement.)" The saved man and woman are not perfect but they know the Savior personally. It's not sin that keeps us from salvation but rather failure to confess the Savior. Jesus said that for those who are saved, "no one shall pluck them out of my hand." Salvation is the key. Jesus said, "those who are saved, you will know by their fruit."
The adversary (the devil) says, "when you sin and fall short, beat yourself up for sinning." However, Jesus said, "come unto me all ye who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." We're saved not because of who we are but because of whose we are. We are sinners saved by grace. When we separate our hearts from God by sinning, "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The better the man or woman, the better the preacher, husband or wife, dad or mom, teacher, engineer, or ethical business person. When the preacher resists sin and temptation, it will strengthen the man or woman and give conviction to his or her message. When we compromise that which is right, we hurt the people in our sphere of influence. Holy prayer comes from holy living. We take advantage of the true grace of God when we “fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life”, when we turn our hearts back to Him. We'll never understand that Jesus is all we need until we get to the place that Jesus is all we've got. When we come to the end of ourselves, when we empty ourselves of our selves then he can fill us. Only then can he become our all in all.
Everyone needs to serve someone. It's either me or Him. The question is "why am I doing what I'm doing?" Love is about blessing the other person ... to live to serve and to honor through your thoughts, words and actions. You love by doing the right thing to bless with the love of God. This is the same relationship that we have with our Lord Jesus Christ. We live to bless Him. Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and he will exalt you in due time. Our blessing is that we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace, who has made us acceptable in the beloved.
Sin and death are realities. The wages of sin is death and then comes the judgement. However, Jesus Christ, who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. Our blessed assuranceof salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
May we ever live to love, bless, honor and serve Him!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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