I have heard alot of Christians declare themselves to be saved and how they are chosen and to be raptured, etc.
Surely God decides that?
2007-11-04 03:17:52 · 19 answers · asked by Babby 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
James 2:24 - "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."
Some people promote a very attractive idea: All true Christians, regardless of how they live, have an absolute assurance of salvation, once they accept Jesus into their hearts as "their personal Lord and Savior." The problem is that this belief is contrary to the Bible & constant Christian teaching.
Recall this Scripture: "If we have died with him [in baptism; see Rom. 6:3-4] we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. 2:11-12). So, ff we do NOT persevere, we shall NOT reign with him. In other words, Christians can forfeit heaven. Jesus tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13; cf. 25:31-46). Ergo, if you do not endure to the end, well........
The Bible makes it clear that Christians have a moral assurance of salvation (God will be true to his word and will grant salvation to those who have faith in Christ and are obedient to him [1 John 3:19-24]), but the Bible does NOT teach that Christians have a guarantee of heaven. There can be no absolute assurance of salvation. The Bible says, "See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who fell, but God's kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness, otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22-23; Matt. 18:21-35, 1 Cor. 15:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:20-21).
Note that this includes an important condition: "provided you remain in his kindness." It is saying that Christians can lose their salvation by throwing it away. He warns, "Whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall" (1 Cor. 10:11-12). , Paul admitted that even he could fall away: "I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:27). In saying this he points out that even he cannot be infallibly sure of his own present state or of his future salvation.
As a Catholic, when someone asks me if I have been "saved," I answer: "I am redeemed by the blood of Christ, I trust in him alone for my salvation, and, as the Bible teaches, I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), knowing that it is God's gift of grace that is working in me."
2007-11-04 03:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by Swiss Guard 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
God has declared me saved.
I just believe Him.
Acts 2:21
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
(from New International Version)
John 10:8-9
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
(from New International Version)
Rom 10:9-13
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
(from New International Version)
1 Cor 1:18-19
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
(from New International Version)
2007-11-04 04:18:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God, in a sense, has chosen all people to be saved. But we, having free will, are asked by God to choose to live our lives for Him. Choosing to live our life for God and be "saved" requires us to confess that we have sinned, asking for forgiveness and then asking God to be the center of our lives. In doing this we are saying that we will live our life in accordance to the Biblical teachings. Now, being "saved" and living the Christian lifestyle go hand in hand. So just because you say "God, I'm messed up, I've screwed up my life please forgive me and come into my life" doesn't cut it. You also have to "walk the walk and talk the talk". And, honestly, it's challenging but not overly difficult!
2007-11-04 03:29:03 · answer #3 · answered by punkyallie1217 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are clearly told that all who call upon the name of Jesus shall be saved. Of course God knows who is sincere and who isn't but the whole point of Christianity is security in the arms of the Lord.
2007-11-04 03:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
See Acts 2:38 for the plan of salvation. That gives the "whole deal". But you are right its between and God. Believe me when you are saved you ARE going to know about it. I'll pray for your salvation. God Bless!!!!!!
2007-11-04 03:24:11 · answer #5 · answered by paula r 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, God will decide
We have to have faith and a relationship with the Lord, mearly declairing we are a Christian doesn't make it so...many people can quote the Bible, but true understand comes from a relationship with the Lord.
2007-11-04 03:29:12 · answer #6 · answered by ' 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
thats true, no offense to christians but i think that the whole savior thing is a myth. i mean, nobody can decide wether or not they are saved or if they are going to heaven, thats up to God. and if they want to be "saved" the only person that can save them is themselves because nobody, not jesus, nor any priest is going to die for their sins or ask for jesus to save them
2007-11-04 03:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by strike 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is our decision/choice to be saved according to His word, but on Judgment Day, the Lord's word will be final. Being a Christian is a life-long commitment and as you mature in Christ, you mature as a Christian. And the longer you are one, the easier it is to be one; for me anyway!
2007-11-04 03:29:37 · answer #8 · answered by dawnUSA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus gave the Church the power to forgive sins. When the pastor tells me my sins are forgiven, I know that my sins are forgiven. Period.
However, note that I am not declaring myself saved, or forgiven. It is the pastor speaking in his office as Christ's ambassador.
The Gospel itself, which works Baptism of Desire in the hearer, also works in conjunction with Water Baptism to offer us complete assurance of our salvation.
2007-11-04 05:32:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous Lutheran 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are saved by FAITH. None of us can be sure. We choose to believe what the bible says about salvation is true. God's grace saves us.
2007-11-04 03:44:28 · answer #10 · answered by Kaliko 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋