THE CALL TO MISSIONS : 1. Assurance of Eternal Life
The Bible teaches that we are saved by the grace of God
through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ,not by any good deeds that we do. See
Ephesians 2:8,9; John 3:16.
We are saved from condemnation in order to do good works.
See Ephesians 2:10.
It is very important to see the order in Ephesians 2:8-10:
first, we are saved by grace through faith alone, and second, we do good works
because we love God. Other major religions of the world teach that one must do
good works to move toward God. Christianity teaches that Christ’s sacrifice on the
cross was sufficient for people to receive eternal life with God. Life with God
is a free gift to all who believe.
Faith that leads to salvation is much more than simply
believing that Jesus is the Son of God—even the demons understand that Jesus is
the Son of God. Saving faith is not merely intellectual understanding; it involves a change of heart.
Saving faith involves a commitment to receive Jesus as Lord of our lives—it is
trusting Jesus to give us life. Saving faith results in a change in our
lifestyle—we turn from sinful ways and follow Christ.
The first letter of John teaches that we can know that we
have received eternal life. See 1 John 5:13.
If you have doubts about your
salvation, study 1 John. The scriptures give sufficient proof of salvation to
anyone who is truly seeking to follow God.
Was there a specific time in your life that you committed to
trust Christ as your Lord and
Savior? If not, then why not do it now?
Jesus said that in
order to see the kingdom of God, we must be spiritually born again. See John
3:3,5.
We are born again through faith in Jesus. See John 3:16.
Anyone who
turns from sin, asking Jesus to forgive past sins, can pray and immediately
receive eternal life See Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:13.
If you have confessed
that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the
dead, you have received eternal life. See Romans 10:9,10.
And you have received
the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Christ—who will guide you through life. Let us
now examine how to follow God.
