On Tuesday, Karen and I had the joy of taking a friend to a restaurant near where she lives to celebrate her birthday. It was great to see the owners greet her and ask how she was. After a delicious meal, a piece of cake was brought to her while we sang “Happy birthday to you!” The next day, Karen cooked a wonderful meal for another friend’s birthday and our colleagues brought a tasty cake. I don’t know if we’ve ever celebrated birthdays of two friends on consecutive days before, but we made special memories this week.
In sorting files at our office, I came across a study that Karen’s father prepared many years ago. It is “How can I know and be sure that I am saved?” It begins:
“The answer: If you are saved you will know it! If you are not sure perhaps you have never personally accepted Jesus Christ into your heart. It is for you that these lines are written.
Note: To be saved means to knowingly, by a decision of your will, receive God’s gift of salvation by faith into your heart. To ‘believe’ is to ‘receive’ (John 1:12). A Christian is one who has the Holy Spirit in his heart (Rom. 8:9). There is no salvation apart from the Spirit’s presence.”
In last week’s blog, we looked at what John Blanchard wrote in his book entitled “Ultimate Questions.” He wrote:
“When disease is first diagnosed, it is important to ask the question: ‘Is it serious?’ It is even more important to ask that question about the spiritual disease of sin. Many people will almost cheerfully admit to being sinners, because they have no idea what this means.”
Karen’s father’s study emphasizes the importance of recognizing that the Bible is the Word of God: “Your salvation depends on the promises of God (not what you feel but ‘what God says’) – 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:20, 23; 2 Peter 1:20-21
You cannot save yourself. Your salvation depends upon what Christ has done for you – He died on the cross for your sin and mine. Isaiah 64:5; Rom. 3:10-20; 1 Peter 2:24 & 3:18
Sin separates you from a Holy God and that sin brings condemnation = God’s judgment. Rom. 3:23 & 6:23; John 3:16, 18 & 36”
The study then gives six responses to the question “What must I do to be saved?”
- Recognize that you are a sinner before God = GOD EXISTS. Rom. 3:10 & 23 and 6:12 & 19
- Come to God and ask for forgiveness = BE READY TO REPENT. Heb. 4:16; John 4:24; 5:39-40; 6:35, 37, 44 & 47 and 9:31
- God loves you = GOD HATES SIN. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 2 Peter 3:9
- Christ accomplished everything upon the cross for your salvation = CHRIST PAID THE PRICE. 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:24
- Salvation is offered to us as a gift by the grace of God = ACCEPT IT. Eph. 2:8-9 and 6:23; Titus 3:5
- Believe in Him by accepting Jesus Christ personally = BELIEVE IT. John 1:12; 3:16 & 18; 5:24 and 6:47; Rom. 10:9-10; Rev. 3:20
One of the many joys that the Lord gives His children is the understanding of His Word. One way to memorize Scripture is to learn hymns that proclaim God’s truths, like what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy (please see “Scripture for the weekend”).
As Canadians look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day next week, let’s remember how much the Lord has done for us.
Steve