Prayer for a Blessed protected day for me and my family members and loved ones, I ask that we all have a Blessed week and that our work day will feel smooth without any hinderances and that The LORD will help us have peace in all the areas we are dealing with and that He will make a way out of no way for all of us and I connect this to all who comes into agreement and I connect this to all of your family members you have on your hearts and I give all Glory Honor and Prays to The Most High God in Lord Jesus Christ Name, amen.
You write, "Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve verse 20. ( The mother of all living)
"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Before Adam would name her God had brought all His creation to him. It was with regards to His helpmeet, that was his free will. "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof./And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him."(vv.19-20) His helpmeet ('partner') is not what a mother is. He made him a living soul so that would meet the requirement of creature comforts. The Spirit instructs us what His breath has done. (It explains Rom.1:19-20) Adam called her Eve. Nothing there says Adam believed or called her mother as such. The Spirit is referring to the line, "over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." in Ge.1:28
Ro.5 the passage you cited explains why it encapsulates the very Spirit of Christ. One represents all. many sons of God on account of one man's obedience. May sons of Adam on account of Adam's disobedience. Now figure out where you will place the nation of Israel."When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people According to the number of the children of Israel."(De.32:8)
Death entered into the world because of God commanded, "In that day"(Ge.3:17) that happens according to Re.20:12)
Those who were saved before the flood was by the same divine Will he made known in the Son. Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and forever. Those who were saved had no difficulty in understanding it , you see. God had revealed it to them as with His creation. (Ro.1:20) Seth,Enoch and the great many followed what God made manifest to them. Those who followed hermeneutics as we do in our times they also have their version. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Ge.6:5) Of course the men did not call their lives wicked or evil being very much involved as to be objective. Tell next time when you hear any 'prosperity theology' or Christian nationalism coming from any platform that it is wicked or evil, you will understand what I mean.
You write: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time."
Check it out with Ro.1:20,19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Revelation that God has given mankind is never piecemeal. His fulness in Jesus Christ is complete. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."(Col.2:20) That makes a lot of difference does it not?
Co.1:19. According to his good pleasure "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
He has also revealed his perfect will which is also complete. "by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
The basis of salvation has always been the death of Christ.
No one, either prior to the cross or since the cross, would ever be saved without that singular event.
Christ's death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament saints.
The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of one's faith for salvation has always been God.
Ww look back in history and by faith, believe what is written.
God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time.
Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve verse 20. ( The mother of all living )
The Lord indicated His acceptance immediately by covering them with coats of skin verse21. At that point that is all Adam knew, but he believed it.
Those coats of skin "from a sacrifice made by God" pointed ahead to Christ sacrifice that takes away the sin of the whole world.
John 1:29.
You notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God.
Please pray for my return to The LORD. Please pray that He softens my heart towards Him in humility, repentance and faith. Please pray for healing for my backsliding and body. Please pray The LORD helps me through the trials I am going through. Please pray that He protects me and delivers me from the devil and my enemies. Please pray for my deliverance from any bondages and strongholds and for The LORD to provide for all of my needs. Thank you.
Thank you, brother, I know many have your understanding of this, and defining the difference between the soul and the spirit is difficult, in Scripture they seem to be interchangeable, at least it is for me. Salvation is not dependent on this, we know we are sealed and secure in Jesus regardless of what happens when we die.
In Genesis 2:7 Adam became a living being/soul the Hebrew word nephesh, in the New Testament it is the word psyche. My understanding this is who we are, our senses, desires, affections, appetites, intellect, and memories. The soul, who we are can be killed, Matthew 10:28. My understanding when we die is the soul/who we are, is asleep with our body in the grave, and is resurrected either to eternity with Jesus or is killed in the lake of fire.
Man cannot kill our soul all souls belong to God Ezekiel 18:4. God has offered a way of salvation for souls that are doomed to die, Hebrews 9:27. And we are told we can walk in the world or walk in the Spirit and Jesus told us the consequences, Matthew 16:26.
Spirit both the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma translated as spirit have the concept of breath or wind at their roots. This part of us can be alive or dead Ephesians 2:4-5. The most enter part of us that connects or refuses to connect to God, like a radio receiver and it gives life to the body, Psalm 104:29James 2:26.
This is what returns to God when we die, there is no more communication our fate is set after we die our soul is asleep in death until we are resurrected, Daniel 12:2. I know you said you do not know Plato, Greek philosophy, many in those days were influenced, the spirit or soul is immortal and the descriptions of an underworld. I believe Jesus took parts of these fables and used them as subject matter in this parable.
My understanding the spirit does not have a body it gives life to the body, and we are resurrected and given an eternal spirit.
Lord Jesus I continue to ask for strong protection for my family and I, esp. the little one (I plead the blood of Jesus over us and ask for a wall of Holy Spirit fire around each of us and your mighty warrior angels to surround us according to Ps 91, Ps. 34:7, Zech. 2:5, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 59:19, Ps3:3, 2 Thess. 3:2-3, Jeremiah 15:20-21) and I ask for salvation, deliverance, healing and an outpouring of your Spirit. Asking for us and all in need. Please bless B. and F.
The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our spirit that we are the "worms" of God. No, He encourages us when we are in times of weakness and trembling, and in spite of all our failure says that we are the children of God.
A remarkable thing is stated in the following verse:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ( Romans 8:15)
The word Abba is an untranslated Aramaic word. The translators of the first English Bibles, who had great reverence for the Word of God, who believed it was indeed the Word of God, would not translate it. Abba is a very personal word that could be translated "my Daddy." We don't use this word in reference to God because of the danger of becoming overly familiar with Him. But the Spirit affirms it and causes us to realize that God is our very own Father through regeneration and by adoption.
There is an experience of salvation for the child of God that he does not have to seek. It will come, for it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to regenerate a sinner and for Christ to dwell in the heart and there not be a corresponding experience.
Do not look for an experience! Do not probe your feelings! Do not use psychoanalysis! Believe God! Take Him at His Word! Trust His faithfulness! "Let God be true, but every man a liar" ( Romans 3:4). Christ says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37). Will you come?
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
Not only will the believer love those within the Christian fellowship, but there will also be a desire for those outside the fold to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. It is impossible for Christ, the One who died for sinners, to be in the heart and there not be a longing for the salvation of sinners. A sterile and frigid Christian is not likely to experience the sweetness and joy of full assurance, but a vital Christian, who knows something of the Savior's compassion, will find the joy of belonging and an abiding experience.
Conscious of Being His Child.
A consciousness that we are children of God comes to the soul and says that we are the sons of God. This is the gracious work of the Spirit of God and not the product of psychological presumption.
By this know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ( 1 John 4:13)
This does not mean that we are conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit, but it does mean that we are conscious of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but He speaks of Christ:
Nevertheless, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. ( John 16:13)
Part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to make us conscious that we are the children of God.
The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. ( Romans 8:16)
There is a counterfeit humility going the rounds today, and it sounds very pious, but it does not have the ring of the genuine. Some say that we are to grovel in the dust and act like worms - this is the modern way of putting on sackcloth and ashes. It is true that we are sinners; there is no good within us, no good comes out of us, and we have nothing in which to glory save the cross of Christ.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Nevertheless, when our hearts are rightly related to Him, then there is a confidence given to us:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (v. 21)
Furthermore, when we are in His will, there are added tokens that we are His children:
And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (v. 22)
Answered prayer is an argument that one is a legitimate child of God. The prayer life of the believer is vital in assuring the soul of salvation.
Love for the Brethren!!
A love for the brethren and a passion for the souls of men are evidence that we are children of God. One of the most convicting and confirming facts sealing assurance to the heart is love of the brethren. Scripture is positive at this point:
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ( 1 John 3:14)
Animosity and hatred in the heart will rob the child of God of assurance. Malice toward another Christian produces bitterness of soul and is therefore not a fertile soil to cultivate assurance. Malice is condensed anger. Lack of love for another believer robs more Christians of real enjoyment and satisfaction in the Christian life than perhaps any other single factor. It not only blights the soul of the Christian, but it also destroys any public testimony:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ( John 13:35)
To love other believers is not elective:
These things I command you, that ye love one another. ( John 15:17)
Do not let a little root of bitterness rob you of assurance. Make things right with other believers.
Having listed the main things that rob a person of the assurance of salvation, let's look at some things that are evidence of salvation.
Desire to Obey
The child of God longs to obey God and to please Him:
And by this we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ( 1 John 2:3)
This desire to obey God gives him an assurance that he is a son of God.
He wants to know the will of God, and therefore he wants to know the Word of God. So he goes where he can hear the Word of God:
Oh, how love I thy law! It is my mediation all the day. I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. ( Psalm 119:97, 113, 162)
He finds that he not only has an appetite for the Word of God, but he also begins to understand it, and thereby growth takes place:
But he that is spiritual judgeth [understands] all things, yet he himself is judged [understood] of no man. ( 1 Corinthians 2:15)
There are other tests that indicate to a trembling but trusting heart that he or she is a child of God. God urges us to make the tests so that we may have assurance:
Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are discredited? ( 2 Corinthians 13:5)
Reality in Prayer.
A reality in prayer is evidence that we are children of God. There is a very remarkable statement in this connection made in the third chapter of 1 John:
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (v. 19)
As the child of God approaches the Father, a holy boldness confirms the heart. This is not presumption - it is the assurance that a child has in approaching a father. However, sin or some other impediment may make us hesitant and reluctant to approach the Father. God does not hear us because of our reluctance but because of Christ, and He hears us regardless of our condition:
The Christian should come to the light, which is the Word of God. It reveals our sin, but it also shows us the remedy. The blood of Christ is still potent, and it is the basis of forgiveness for the sins of a child of God.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. ( 1 John 1:7)
The believer who walks in the light and discovers sin in his life knows that the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing him from sin; consequently, he goes in confession to Him.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ( 1 John 1:9)
Immediately, fellowship is restored for the sinning saint. The family fellowship is resumed and confidence and assurance are restored. You see, the child of God is always disturbed by sin in his life, as he knows it breaks fellowship with God. In fact, the line of demarcation is drawn at this point between God's children and the devil's offspring:
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth [practices] not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ( 1 John 3:10)
Deliberate and continual sinning, without remorse or without repentance, is a clear indication that one has not come into the place of sonship. The child of God is distressed, disturbed, and distraught by the presence of sin. He hates the sin in his life and longs to be delivered from it. The presence of sin robs him of his assurance. The legitimate child of God can never compromise with the sin in his life.
The gospel that produces changed lives comes in much assurance. Many who lack assurance are sincere, but they have actually never been born again.
Emotionalism..
Some depend upon an emotional experience, and they do not have the knowledge of their salvation. The gospel has not been given to them accurately, and they merely rest upon an emotional upheaval. If the experience was significant, then they fall back upon it to fortify their faith. When the emotional experience wears thin and there is not much to rest upon, then doubts and uncertainty creep in to make the heart disturbed. Many of these people do not know the assurance that there is in the gospel:
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. ( Colossians 2:2)
Sin.
Unconfessed sin in the life of a believer is the greatest single factor in robbing one of the assurance of salvation. God wants us to have the full assurance of faith; this comes experientially through fellowship with God. Sin breaks our fellowship, and this, in time, sets up a chain reaction that breaks our assurance.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. ( 1 John 1:6)
We can bluff our way through before others by putting up a front that all is well. But underneath, doubts begin to gnaw like little foxes at the fringe of our faith, and we actually feel that we are not really God's children. We dread the light because it makes us more conscious of our doubts. God is still our Father nonetheless, and a conviction of sin is pretty good evidence. We have lost our fellowship - not our salvation.
The righteousness mentioned here in Isaiah 32:17 is not man's, but it is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel. This is the righteousness of Christ, which is made over to us and gives us a standing before God. It cannot be improved upon because it is perfect, and it cannot be disturbed because it is given to the lost sinner who trusts in Jesus.
God wants all who trust the work in Christ to come to a place in experience where each can say with confidence, boldness, and much assurance, but with true humility:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12)
To fall short of this goal is to miss the best that He has for us. It reveals a defect in our understanding and in our appreciation of His "so great salvation" ( Hebrews 2:3).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ( John 10:27-29)
He never lets go. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your salvation. Someone has said, "All the way to heaven is heaven."
Why Do We Doubt?
There are many reasons why believers do not have the assurance of their salvation. Let us look at some of the principal ones.
Fear.
Some are frightened souls who received the gospel in trembling and fear. The gospel was presented partially, and they were not told that they could have any assurance. There is always a serious doubt whether folk like this have ever been saved. The instability and inconsistency of the lives of many who live in the atmosphere of uncertainty do not reveal a thoroughgoing conversion. It is interesting to note what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the preaching of the gospel in their city:
God is offering eternal life - everlasting life - to those who believe in Christ. It is not temporary or uncertain. It is not paid for on the installment plan. It is a gift the moment one believes, but for longer than a moment - for eternity.
You may or you may not have the assurance of this salvation that God offers as everlasting life. An anomalous situation exists today. Some Christians believe in the security of the believer but do not themselves have the assurance of their salvation; "My brethren, these things ought not so to be" ( James 3:10), but they do exist.
God wants you to know that you are His child through faith in Jesus Christ:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power [the right] to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ( John 1:12, 13)
It is not honoring to Him for you to have misgivings, doubts, and a lack of assurance. "Maybe" and "perhaps" should not be in the vocabulary of a born-again Christian when the matter of salvation is the subject. It is not a "hope so" but a "know so" salvation that God offers. It is always described as everlasting or eternal life; it is not temporary or conditional. Listen to God and be assured:
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:12-13
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22.
This is not the language of uncertainty. There is a remarkable passage in this connection expressed in Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
Eternal security is an objective fact; assurance of salvation is a subjective experience.
Eternal security is not in the realm of experience, and therefore is totally independent of a person's feelings; assurance of salvation is truly an experience - an inner consciousness and confidence that a right relationship exists between the soul and God.
Eternal security rests upon certain objective facts that are established and sure; it depends upon God's faithfulness. A simple illustration will clarify this point. The Battle of Bunker Hill is a fact in American history. You and I did not experience the Battle of Bunker Hill, and our feelings are, therefore, no guide to the accuracy of history concerning it.
Eternal security rests upon what God says!
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
The most wonderful statement in the Bible (or out of the Bible, for that matter) is Romans 8:1 -
There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..
In conjunction with this verse are verses 33 and 34 of the same chapter:
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?
The throne of God is behind every sinner who has trusted in Jesus. Christ's work of redemption is adequate enough to secure the perfect salvation for the sinner who trusts Him. If not, then the work of Christ was of no avail, and it was not a finished transaction but must be written down as "unfinished business." However, He, as it were, wrote over His cross, "It is finished" ( John 19:30).
If you truly accepted Christ as savior you have Salvation "Eternal life".
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. These
things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye
have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God. ( 1 John 5:12, 13)
Let me share a article on the subject from J Vernon Mcgee.
Part 1.
Can we know experientially that we are saved and that we are the children of God? For years, my soul was tossed on the troubled sea of uncertainty and insecurity. Finally, there dawned upon my darkened mind the light of Philippians 1:6 -
Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform [perfect] it until the day of Jesus Christ.
It was then that the sun of Scripture rose with many shafts of light and penetrated the dark recesses of fears and doubts. I pray that I may be given wisdom and power to convey to your fearful heart the assurance of your salvation, if it is not already your present possession. For those who have experienced the assurance of salvation, perhaps these few words will stabilize and strengthen the fabric of your faith. Assurance is your rightful possession, and God wants you to have it as your portion.
First of all, we need to distinguish between one's eternal security and his assurance of salvation. The line of demarcation must be clearly drawn if we are to enter experientially into the joy of salvation.
If you read through the account of Samson's life in the book of Judges , you will see that at the end of it , God hears Samson's prayer and grants his request . To me this seems to indicate that Samson is likely to be in God's Kingdom .
The Lord will preserve the life long-standing undoing the misdeeds of sorcery, rumor monging, and those done in bad taste for His children. While the Apostles and the Jews waited, the Lord told them under the Roman Rule that they might fall, but their Seven Churches testified of how they would recover in time to come. A season of intimidation will not stand anymore, when this goodness will shine through again. Amen.
As Christ said, My flock know my name, wherefore do they answer Him when He calls upon their name. No one, not even Satan, can pluck them from out of His possession when He moderates how their lives shall fall out (to better, green pastures). We latter learn in Romans 5-13 that how we will know who goes to the abyss or to heaven? The assurance that he who calls upon Him in faith is already saved, insured by the fath that no more of the Laws shall trouble their salvation. Amen.
The Lord Jesus once foresaw this during the times of Eli's son the priests who abused the Priesthood, then the Prophets who were disdained by the common people, and to the Pharisees and Sadducees who as the new teachers forget the way of keeping up the culture of religion. The times might warp the image of what is a follower of God as an extremist (like today SOMETIMES might be), but His Holy Spirit will congregate us to listen to how we ought to live as a whole. He may have to revise what people rewrite, nevertheless, He will reproof the hearts of those as He always did that they my know "not to add, nor subtract" from His Word to make it easily accessible to being good and well-learned. Amen.
The Lord will preserve the family, for He has adopted them in the bounty of Christ who ransomed with His muscle and blood long ago. Satan once plotted against Job, who as a term of the test, could try him but not take his life, to power through the pains-taking. Now, with Christ who as our righteousness when we commit errors, more defensive shall disarm Satan from claiming any parts of us since He took the fall for us to be free, free, free. Amen.
The Lord looks over from a more high-rise position than any watch tower could to espy evil. With His foreknowledge that He knows a man's goings, that He will steer your family to an enriching course of life that will take no more holdups from arbitrary tries. Amen.
You write, "Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve verse 20. ( The mother of all living)
"And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Before Adam would name her God had brought all His creation to him. It was with regards to His helpmeet, that was his free will. "And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof./And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him."(vv.19-20) His helpmeet ('partner') is not what a mother is. He made him a living soul so that would meet the requirement of creature comforts. The Spirit instructs us what His breath has done. (It explains Rom.1:19-20) Adam called her Eve. Nothing there says Adam believed or called her mother as such. The Spirit is referring to the line, "over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." in Ge.1:28
Ro.5 the passage you cited explains why it encapsulates the very Spirit of Christ. One represents all. many sons of God on account of one man's obedience. May sons of Adam on account of Adam's disobedience. Now figure out where you will place the nation of Israel."When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people According to the number of the children of Israel."(De.32:8)
Death entered into the world because of God commanded, "In that day"(Ge.3:17) that happens according to Re.20:12)
Those who were saved before the flood was by the same divine Will he made known in the Son. Jesus Christ the same yesterday today and forever. Those who were saved had no difficulty in understanding it , you see. God had revealed it to them as with His creation. (Ro.1:20) Seth,Enoch and the great many followed what God made manifest to them. Those who followed hermeneutics as we do in our times they also have their version. "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Ge.6:5) Of course the men did not call their lives wicked or evil being very much involved as to be objective. Tell next time when you hear any 'prosperity theology' or Christian nationalism coming from any platform that it is wicked or evil, you will understand what I mean.
You write: "God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time."
Check it out with Ro.1:20,19 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them."
Revelation that God has given mankind is never piecemeal. His fulness in Jesus Christ is complete. "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power."(Col.2:20) That makes a lot of difference does it not?
Co.1:19. According to his good pleasure "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."
He has also revealed his perfect will which is also complete. "by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
The basis of salvation has always been the death of Christ.
No one, either prior to the cross or since the cross, would ever be saved without that singular event.
Christ's death paid the penalty for past sins of Old Testament saints and future sins of New Testament saints.
The requirement for salvation has always been faith. The object of one's faith for salvation has always been God.
Ww look back in history and by faith, believe what is written.
God's requirement of what must be believed is based on the amount of revelation He has given mankind up to that time.
Adam believed the promise God gave in Genesis 3:15 that the Seed of the woman would conquer Satan. Adam believed Him, demonstrated by the name he gave Eve verse 20. ( The mother of all living )
The Lord indicated His acceptance immediately by covering them with coats of skin verse21. At that point that is all Adam knew, but he believed it.
Those coats of skin "from a sacrifice made by God" pointed ahead to Christ sacrifice that takes away the sin of the whole world.
John 1:29.
You notice here the word "sin" is singular. This is the penalty of sin! Death. Separation from God.
Jesus came to redeem what was lost.
Read Romans 5:12-21.
God bless.
Thank you, brother, I know many have your understanding of this, and defining the difference between the soul and the spirit is difficult, in Scripture they seem to be interchangeable, at least it is for me. Salvation is not dependent on this, we know we are sealed and secure in Jesus regardless of what happens when we die.
In Genesis 2:7 Adam became a living being/soul the Hebrew word nephesh, in the New Testament it is the word psyche. My understanding this is who we are, our senses, desires, affections, appetites, intellect, and memories. The soul, who we are can be killed, Matthew 10:28. My understanding when we die is the soul/who we are, is asleep with our body in the grave, and is resurrected either to eternity with Jesus or is killed in the lake of fire.
Man cannot kill our soul all souls belong to God Ezekiel 18:4. God has offered a way of salvation for souls that are doomed to die, Hebrews 9:27. And we are told we can walk in the world or walk in the Spirit and Jesus told us the consequences, Matthew 16:26.
Spirit both the Hebrew word ruach and the Greek word pneuma translated as spirit have the concept of breath or wind at their roots. This part of us can be alive or dead Ephesians 2:4-5. The most enter part of us that connects or refuses to connect to God, like a radio receiver and it gives life to the body, Psalm 104:29 James 2:26.
This is what returns to God when we die, there is no more communication our fate is set after we die our soul is asleep in death until we are resurrected, Daniel 12:2. I know you said you do not know Plato, Greek philosophy, many in those days were influenced, the spirit or soul is immortal and the descriptions of an underworld. I believe Jesus took parts of these fables and used them as subject matter in this parable.
My understanding the spirit does not have a body it gives life to the body, and we are resurrected and given an eternal spirit.
Thanks again, God bless,
RLW
The Holy Spirit does not bear witness with our spirit that we are the "worms" of God. No, He encourages us when we are in times of weakness and trembling, and in spite of all our failure says that we are the children of God.
A remarkable thing is stated in the following verse:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. ( Romans 8:15)
The word Abba is an untranslated Aramaic word. The translators of the first English Bibles, who had great reverence for the Word of God, who believed it was indeed the Word of God, would not translate it. Abba is a very personal word that could be translated "my Daddy." We don't use this word in reference to God because of the danger of becoming overly familiar with Him. But the Spirit affirms it and causes us to realize that God is our very own Father through regeneration and by adoption.
There is an experience of salvation for the child of God that he does not have to seek. It will come, for it is impossible for the Holy Spirit to regenerate a sinner and for Christ to dwell in the heart and there not be a corresponding experience.
Do not look for an experience! Do not probe your feelings! Do not use psychoanalysis! Believe God! Take Him at His Word! Trust His faithfulness! "Let God be true, but every man a liar" ( Romans 3:4). Christ says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" ( John 6:37). Will you come?
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
God bless.
Part 9.
Not only will the believer love those within the Christian fellowship, but there will also be a desire for those outside the fold to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. It is impossible for Christ, the One who died for sinners, to be in the heart and there not be a longing for the salvation of sinners. A sterile and frigid Christian is not likely to experience the sweetness and joy of full assurance, but a vital Christian, who knows something of the Savior's compassion, will find the joy of belonging and an abiding experience.
Conscious of Being His Child.
A consciousness that we are children of God comes to the soul and says that we are the sons of God. This is the gracious work of the Spirit of God and not the product of psychological presumption.
By this know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ( 1 John 4:13)
This does not mean that we are conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit, but it does mean that we are conscious of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but He speaks of Christ:
Nevertheless, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. ( John 16:13)
Part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to make us conscious that we are the children of God.
The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. ( Romans 8:16)
There is a counterfeit humility going the rounds today, and it sounds very pious, but it does not have the ring of the genuine. Some say that we are to grovel in the dust and act like worms - this is the modern way of putting on sackcloth and ashes. It is true that we are sinners; there is no good within us, no good comes out of us, and we have nothing in which to glory save the cross of Christ.
See Part 10.
1 John 3:20.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Nevertheless, when our hearts are rightly related to Him, then there is a confidence given to us:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (v. 21)
Furthermore, when we are in His will, there are added tokens that we are His children:
And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (v. 22)
Answered prayer is an argument that one is a legitimate child of God. The prayer life of the believer is vital in assuring the soul of salvation.
Love for the Brethren!!
A love for the brethren and a passion for the souls of men are evidence that we are children of God. One of the most convicting and confirming facts sealing assurance to the heart is love of the brethren. Scripture is positive at this point:
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ( 1 John 3:14)
Animosity and hatred in the heart will rob the child of God of assurance. Malice toward another Christian produces bitterness of soul and is therefore not a fertile soil to cultivate assurance. Malice is condensed anger. Lack of love for another believer robs more Christians of real enjoyment and satisfaction in the Christian life than perhaps any other single factor. It not only blights the soul of the Christian, but it also destroys any public testimony:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ( John 13:35)
To love other believers is not elective:
These things I command you, that ye love one another. ( John 15:17)
Do not let a little root of bitterness rob you of assurance. Make things right with other believers.
See Part 9.
How Can I Know?
Having listed the main things that rob a person of the assurance of salvation, let's look at some things that are evidence of salvation.
Desire to Obey
The child of God longs to obey God and to please Him:
And by this we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ( 1 John 2:3)
This desire to obey God gives him an assurance that he is a son of God.
He wants to know the will of God, and therefore he wants to know the Word of God. So he goes where he can hear the Word of God:
Oh, how love I thy law! It is my mediation all the day. I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. ( Psalm 119:97, 113, 162)
He finds that he not only has an appetite for the Word of God, but he also begins to understand it, and thereby growth takes place:
But he that is spiritual judgeth [understands] all things, yet he himself is judged [understood] of no man. ( 1 Corinthians 2:15)
There are other tests that indicate to a trembling but trusting heart that he or she is a child of God. God urges us to make the tests so that we may have assurance:
Examine yourselves, whether you are in the faith; prove yourselves. Know ye not yourselves how Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are discredited? ( 2 Corinthians 13:5)
Reality in Prayer.
A reality in prayer is evidence that we are children of God. There is a very remarkable statement in this connection made in the third chapter of 1 John:
And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. (v. 19)
As the child of God approaches the Father, a holy boldness confirms the heart. This is not presumption - it is the assurance that a child has in approaching a father. However, sin or some other impediment may make us hesitant and reluctant to approach the Father. God does not hear us because of our reluctance but because of Christ, and He hears us regardless of our condition:
See part 8.
1 John 3:20
The Christian should come to the light, which is the Word of God. It reveals our sin, but it also shows us the remedy. The blood of Christ is still potent, and it is the basis of forgiveness for the sins of a child of God.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. ( 1 John 1:7)
The believer who walks in the light and discovers sin in his life knows that the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing him from sin; consequently, he goes in confession to Him.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ( 1 John 1:9)
Immediately, fellowship is restored for the sinning saint. The family fellowship is resumed and confidence and assurance are restored. You see, the child of God is always disturbed by sin in his life, as he knows it breaks fellowship with God. In fact, the line of demarcation is drawn at this point between God's children and the devil's offspring:
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth [practices] not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. ( 1 John 3:10)
Deliberate and continual sinning, without remorse or without repentance, is a clear indication that one has not come into the place of sonship. The child of God is distressed, disturbed, and distraught by the presence of sin. He hates the sin in his life and longs to be delivered from it. The presence of sin robs him of his assurance. The legitimate child of God can never compromise with the sin in his life.
See Part 7.
( 1 Thessalonians 1:5)
The gospel that produces changed lives comes in much assurance. Many who lack assurance are sincere, but they have actually never been born again.
Emotionalism..
Some depend upon an emotional experience, and they do not have the knowledge of their salvation. The gospel has not been given to them accurately, and they merely rest upon an emotional upheaval. If the experience was significant, then they fall back upon it to fortify their faith. When the emotional experience wears thin and there is not much to rest upon, then doubts and uncertainty creep in to make the heart disturbed. Many of these people do not know the assurance that there is in the gospel:
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ. ( Colossians 2:2)
Sin.
Unconfessed sin in the life of a believer is the greatest single factor in robbing one of the assurance of salvation. God wants us to have the full assurance of faith; this comes experientially through fellowship with God. Sin breaks our fellowship, and this, in time, sets up a chain reaction that breaks our assurance.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. ( 1 John 1:6)
We can bluff our way through before others by putting up a front that all is well. But underneath, doubts begin to gnaw like little foxes at the fringe of our faith, and we actually feel that we are not really God's children. We dread the light because it makes us more conscious of our doubts. God is still our Father nonetheless, and a conviction of sin is pretty good evidence. We have lost our fellowship - not our salvation.
See Part 6.
Part 4.
The righteousness mentioned here in Isaiah 32:17 is not man's, but it is the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel. This is the righteousness of Christ, which is made over to us and gives us a standing before God. It cannot be improved upon because it is perfect, and it cannot be disturbed because it is given to the lost sinner who trusts in Jesus.
God wants all who trust the work in Christ to come to a place in experience where each can say with confidence, boldness, and much assurance, but with true humility:
I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. ( 2 Timothy 1:12)
To fall short of this goal is to miss the best that He has for us. It reveals a defect in our understanding and in our appreciation of His "so great salvation" ( Hebrews 2:3).
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ( John 10:27-29)
He never lets go. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy your salvation. Someone has said, "All the way to heaven is heaven."
Why Do We Doubt?
There are many reasons why believers do not have the assurance of their salvation. Let us look at some of the principal ones.
Fear.
Some are frightened souls who received the gospel in trembling and fear. The gospel was presented partially, and they were not told that they could have any assurance. There is always a serious doubt whether folk like this have ever been saved. The instability and inconsistency of the lives of many who live in the atmosphere of uncertainty do not reveal a thoroughgoing conversion. It is interesting to note what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians concerning the preaching of the gospel in their city:
See Part 5.
God is offering eternal life - everlasting life - to those who believe in Christ. It is not temporary or uncertain. It is not paid for on the installment plan. It is a gift the moment one believes, but for longer than a moment - for eternity.
You may or you may not have the assurance of this salvation that God offers as everlasting life. An anomalous situation exists today. Some Christians believe in the security of the believer but do not themselves have the assurance of their salvation; "My brethren, these things ought not so to be" ( James 3:10), but they do exist.
God wants you to know that you are His child through faith in Jesus Christ:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power [the right] to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ( John 1:12, 13)
It is not honoring to Him for you to have misgivings, doubts, and a lack of assurance. "Maybe" and "perhaps" should not be in the vocabulary of a born-again Christian when the matter of salvation is the subject. It is not a "hope so" but a "know so" salvation that God offers. It is always described as everlasting or eternal life; it is not temporary or conditional. Listen to God and be assured:
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:12-13
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22.
This is not the language of uncertainty. There is a remarkable passage in this connection expressed in Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.
See part 4.
Part 2.
Eternal security is an objective fact; assurance of salvation is a subjective experience.
Eternal security is not in the realm of experience, and therefore is totally independent of a person's feelings; assurance of salvation is truly an experience - an inner consciousness and confidence that a right relationship exists between the soul and God.
Eternal security rests upon certain objective facts that are established and sure; it depends upon God's faithfulness. A simple illustration will clarify this point. The Battle of Bunker Hill is a fact in American history. You and I did not experience the Battle of Bunker Hill, and our feelings are, therefore, no guide to the accuracy of history concerning it.
Eternal security rests upon what God says!
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. ( 1 John 5:12)
The most wonderful statement in the Bible (or out of the Bible, for that matter) is Romans 8:1 -
There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus..
In conjunction with this verse are verses 33 and 34 of the same chapter:
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? Shall God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? Shall Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us?
The throne of God is behind every sinner who has trusted in Jesus. Christ's work of redemption is adequate enough to secure the perfect salvation for the sinner who trusts Him. If not, then the work of Christ was of no avail, and it was not a finished transaction but must be written down as "unfinished business." However, He, as it were, wrote over His cross, "It is finished" ( John 19:30).
See Part 3.
Salvation is in a person! Our Lord Jesus Christ!
If you have Christ you have ( Eternal ) life.
That's what Christ is offering! (Eternal life!)
If you truly accepted Christ as savior you have Salvation "Eternal life".
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life. These
things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye
have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the
name of the Son of God. ( 1 John 5:12, 13)
Let me share a article on the subject from J Vernon Mcgee.
Part 1.
Can we know experientially that we are saved and that we are the children of God? For years, my soul was tossed on the troubled sea of uncertainty and insecurity. Finally, there dawned upon my darkened mind the light of Philippians 1:6 -
Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform [perfect] it until the day of Jesus Christ.
It was then that the sun of Scripture rose with many shafts of light and penetrated the dark recesses of fears and doubts. I pray that I may be given wisdom and power to convey to your fearful heart the assurance of your salvation, if it is not already your present possession. For those who have experienced the assurance of salvation, perhaps these few words will stabilize and strengthen the fabric of your faith. Assurance is your rightful possession, and God wants you to have it as your portion.
First of all, we need to distinguish between one's eternal security and his assurance of salvation. The line of demarcation must be clearly drawn if we are to enter experientially into the joy of salvation.
See Part 2.
( Eternal ) Salvation.