PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS JULY 13, 2009

PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS    JULY 13, 2009 SURETY OF YOUR SALVATION Throughout my ministry, I have had many occasions when people said to me, "I trusted Christ when I was young but I wonder if I really am saved" or "I don't 'feel like' I am saved."  First let me say that this is a thought that comes to almost everyone at one time or another....it is very common.  Let me give you some facts and fiction about salvation that might help you when these thoughts occur or that you can use to help others troubled by these thoughts. FACTS FROM GOD ABOUT SALVATION God says that if you confess your sins, trust in Him and invite Him into your heart, you are saved. John 3:16 God says that no one (not even you) can remove you from His salvation or His Hand.  John 10:28 "no one can snatch them out of my Hand..." God says that once you have invited Him into your heart, His Holy Spirit enters your life to teach and help you. John 16:12 "...He will teach you...." God says that His salvation is eternal.  John 3:15....."he who believes will have eternal life...." FICTION FROM SATAN ABOUT SALVATION    1. You still sin so you must not be saved.    2. You aren't good enough to be God's child.    3. You must do a lot of good things in order to be saved.    4. You were too young, too old, too bad, or too sinful to be saved so God didn't really hear you. Remember this God gives us His Word and His Spirit to help us and bring us peace and salvation.   Thoughts from Satan always come to us with fear and doubts. God is a gentle teacher who corrects us but never condemns us.       Thoughts from Satan always come with guilt and accusation God always tells us what we can do to change.          Thoughts from Satan tell us that it is impossible to change. What can we do when we are unsure about our salvation? 1. Test the thoughts to see if they come from God or from Satan.  Use some of the information above and God's Word to do that. 2. Ask a pastor or Christian leader to talk with you and pray with you. 3. Simply say, "Well, if I am not saved, I confess my sins, and invite Jesus into my heart right now!!" Give this subject some thought this week. Ask yourself how you can help yourself and others with this problem. God's promises are true.  God is faithful. Pastor Jack Jack L. Martin