The only Evidence of Salvation - by Brother Gregg Jackson

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justbyfaith

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Sep 16, 2021
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The law that says not to go over 65 does not apply to those who do not go over 65. It only applies to those who violate it.
1Ti 1:8, But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1Ti 1:9, Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Ti 1:10, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
 
May 22, 2020
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The law is in effect.... regardless....and is applicable to all.
That is the point of discussion here.
 

GRACE_ambassador

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Feb 22, 2021
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The law is in effect.... regardless....and is applicable to all.
1Ti_1:9 Knowing this, that the law is NOT made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Yes, the law is In EFFECT "for the UNrighteous," not "applicable to all!":

Rom_6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are NOT under the law, but under GRACE!

Yes, GRACE "IS In EFFECT" for the righteous!! Be Encouraged!!!
 
May 22, 2020
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1Ti_1:9 Knowing this, that the law is NOT made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Yes, the law is In EFFECT "for the UNrighteous," not "applicable to all!":

Rom_6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are NOT under the law, but under GRACE!

Yes, GRACE "IS In EFFECT" for the righteous!! Be Encouraged!!!
You have a bad interpretation of His law application. Many would interpret your position as ...once saved always saved here on earth. That is where you are miss leading. If we miss lead in our interpretation ...that is wrong.

That is he point I am making.
 

justbyfaith

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Sep 16, 2021
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@peldom10,

Do you disregard Romans 6:14 as being scripture? For you seemed to disagree with the premise that is set forth by it.

How do you interpret that verse?
 

GRACE_ambassador

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Feb 22, 2021
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You have a bad interpretation of His law application.
Sorry, didn't interpret Anything - simply BELIEVED Scriptures "As THEY Are WRITTEN!" And, besides that, I:

Fulfil ALL Of His Law, In "ONE Word: LOVE your neighbor
as yourself!"
(Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:8-10)

Be Encouraged!
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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The only Evidence of Salvation - by Brother Gregg Jackson

The only evidence of a person's salvation is that they have BELIEVED The Gospel.

If a person professes that they have trusted in Christ alone as savior believing He died for all their sins, was buried and rose again on the 3rd Day according to the Scriptures for their justification we must assume they are a brother or sister in Christ (BASED SOLELY ON THEIR PROFESSION OF FAITH).

So, don't be going to websites like (Calvinist) "Got Questions" that has a 12 point litmus test (which they mis-apply) from 1st John to determine if a person has "genuine saving faith" here:https://www.gotquestions.org/signs-saving-faith.html

Instead trust the words of Jesus:

"Verily, verily I say unto you he who BELIEVETH in Me hath everlasting life." (John 6:47)

A person is saved (from the penalty & punishment for sin in hell) the moment they trust in Christ ALONE as savior and can know with 100% certainty they possess ETERNAL LIFE (the life of Christ) and are GUARANTEED to never be plucked from the Father's Hand or perish (John 10:28-31) or separated from His love (Romans 8:38-39) solely on the basis of FAITH (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5, Galatians 3:24, John 3:16, John 6:47, Acts 16:31).

Man's word can mislead.

But God's Word NEVER does...

"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." (1st John 5:13, KJV)

Be of good cheer today!!!!!
Your basic argument, if taken to it's fullest understanding, would pit one portion of Scripture against another. Confession should be accepted, this is true but we have an obligation to observe those who claim to be believers. We also have an obligation to test ourselves.

2Co_13:5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

As fallen people, we can be easily deceived and easily "self-deceived". Tests will come from without and from within, to prove whether our faith is genuine. Being religious means absolutely NOTHING. The Jews were very religious and very "lost" at the same time. Because our hearts, without Grace, are "desperately wicked and who can know it" and even with Grace, there is still darkness in us - every believer should welcome testing. This testing, builds up assurance in the believer. If our life and beliefs are not tested and refined here on earth, they will be before Christ. (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

There is only one way to worship God, it is in Spirit and Truth. Without the Holy Spirit, no worship. Without Truth, no worship. (John 4:23, 24; 14:17; 16:13; 2 Th. 2:13). Therefore, every true believer, possesses the Spirit and has the Truth, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as presented only in Holy Writ.
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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If I were to be faced with someone like this I would conclude they are not and never have been of saving faith.
Which raises the question, why the two different conclusions from those who supposedly have the same mind, the mind of Christ?
🚩


Do you adhere to Lordship Salvation??
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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Your definition of believing is not the same as mine. And John 1:12 says that we need to receive Christ. No one will receive if they do not believe. But the rich young ruler turned away from Jesus, not because he did not believe, but because the cost was too high.

To believe on Christ is to Receive Him. The Rich young ruler was trusting in his riches, and in his ability to keep the commandments. That is what his problem was. The Rich man ruler could have gotten saved if he would have believed on Christ. But he was trusting in his ability to keep the commandments. Plus, even if he did get saved, it would have been hard for him to become a disciple. Since he did turn away from Jesus, when Christ had told him to go and sell what he had and to give to the poor.
 

ChosenbyHim

Senior Member
Sep 19, 2011
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Your basic argument, if taken to it's fullest understanding, would pit one portion of Scripture against another. Confession should be accepted, this is true but we have an obligation to observe those who claim to be believers. We also have an obligation to test ourselves.

2Co_13:5 Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate.

As fallen people, we can be easily deceived and easily "self-deceived". Tests will come from without and from within, to prove whether our faith is genuine. Being religious means absolutely NOTHING. The Jews were very religious and very "lost" at the same time. Because our hearts, without Grace, are "desperately wicked and who can know it" and even with Grace, there is still darkness in us - every believer should welcome testing. This testing, builds up assurance in the believer. If our life and beliefs are not tested and refined here on earth, they will be before Christ. (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

There is only one way to worship God, it is in Spirit and Truth. Without the Holy Spirit, no worship. Without Truth, no worship. (John 4:23, 24; 14:17; 16:13; 2 Th. 2:13). Therefore, every true believer, possesses the Spirit and has the Truth, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, as presented only in Holy Writ.

If a Christian is not sure about his salvation, then he should go straight to the word of God and review the basics of the truth of the Gospel And make sure that he has only trusted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone for his salvation, and that's it. If you are looking for evidence of Salvation, the only evidence of Salvation is the word of God, as Ralph Yankee Arnold has pointed out in his past teachings. 1 John does not give a litmus test for Salvation, but rather, it gives evidences of walking in the Spirit and having fellowship with God vs those believers who are not walking in the Spirit, and who are not having fellowship with their Heavenly Father.
 

awelight

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If a Christian is not sure about his salvation, then he should go straight to the word of God and review the basics of the truth of the Gospel And make sure that he has only trusted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone for his salvation, and that's it. If you are looking for evidence of Salvation, the only evidence of Salvation is the word of God, as Ralph Yankee Arnold has pointed out in his past teachings. 1 John does not give a litmus test for Salvation, but rather, it gives evidences of walking in the Spirit and having fellowship with God vs those believers who are not walking in the Spirit, and who are not having fellowship with their Heavenly Father.
This is a very strange thing to say here: If you are looking for evidence of Salvation, the only evidence of Salvation is the word of God,

Are you saying, that one who claims to believe in Christ, has no evidence of this change? That Salvation can't be seen in one who follows Christ? I don't get your statement at all.

John said, to the religionist of his day: Mat 3:8,9 Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Bringing forth fruit is evidence of repentance. Fruit is to be inspected. If there has been a true change in a persons heart and mind, all will be able to see it. Not just at confession of faith but throughout their lives.
 

Gideon300

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Mar 18, 2021
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To believe on Christ is to Receive Him. The Rich young ruler was trusting in his riches, and in his ability to keep the commandments. That is what his problem was. The Rich man ruler could have gotten saved if he would have believed on Christ. But he was trusting in his ability to keep the commandments. Plus, even if he did get saved, it would have been hard for him to become a disciple. Since he did turn away from Jesus, when Christ had told him to go and sell what he had and to give to the poor.
The trouble is with the word "believe". It has to be much deeper than an intellectual acceptance of facts. I was born in England at a time when almost every kid went to Sunday School. I believed the facts about Jesus and I could recite the Lord's Prayer and even the apostle's creed. It meant nothing to me. I was far from God and I much preferred it that way.

Believing precedes receiving, but receiving is an act of the will, not just mental agreement.
 

awelight

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Aug 10, 2020
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The trouble is with the word "believe". It has to be much deeper than an intellectual acceptance of facts. I was born in England at a time when almost every kid went to Sunday School. I believed the facts about Jesus and I could recite the Lord's Prayer and even the apostle's creed. It meant nothing to me. I was far from God and I much preferred it that way.

Believing precedes receiving, but receiving is an act of the will, not just mental agreement.
I could not agree more, with your statement that a believer is more than an intellectual ascent. A true believer, is one who fulfils the following:

Luke_10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

But - we must add with the presents of the Spirit and the correct knowledge of Truth.

Joh_14:17 even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it is beholding him not, neither knows him: ye know him; for he is abiding with you, and shall be in you.

I am curious about your statement however, where you said: "Believing precedes receiving, but receiving is an act of the will..." I am some what confused by this. "Believing" cannot precede "receiving", in the sense of Salvation or did you mean in the sense of learning? Such as, one cannot receive anything new, until they believe and put into practice what they already know. In which case I would agree. This indeed requires agreement with the will or put another way, ones desires.

But in the case of Salvation, this requires "Regeneration" from God the Holy Spirit before one can believe. Belief in "the Truth" cannot come from a nature that is at enmity with God and "all" mankind, is at enmity with God, apart from Regeneration. (Rom. 3:9-18) To believe in the Scriptures, apart from Regeneration, (John 3:1-10), is against our very nature, (Rom. 1:18-23) and NO ONE acts contrary to their nature.

Also, you said - that receiving a thing, requires the will. However this is not always true. When God gives a thing, to an individual, it is received by that individual. Most often, the individual is "passive" in it's reception.

Example: In John 3:8b - where the Lord said: "..so is everyone that is born of the Spirit". (KJV) The Greek word translated in the KJV as: "that is born", is a Perfect - Passive - Participial verb. It would have been better translated: "has been born" because the "Perfect tense", emphasizes past action, with continuing results. The "voice" of the verb, is "Passive", so the recipient was acted upon and took no part in it's action. Bottom line - What God gives... IS received. (John 6:33; 1Tim. 6:13)
 

Gideon300

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Mar 18, 2021
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I could not agree more, with your statement that a believer is more than an intellectual ascent. A true believer, is one who fulfils the following:

Luke_10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

But - we must add with the presents of the Spirit and the correct knowledge of Truth.

Joh_14:17 even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it is beholding him not, neither knows him: ye know him; for he is abiding with you, and shall be in you.

I am curious about your statement however, where you said: "Believing precedes receiving, but receiving is an act of the will..." I am some what confused by this. "Believing" cannot precede "receiving", in the sense of Salvation or did you mean in the sense of learning? Such as, one cannot receive anything new, until they believe and put into practice what they already know. In which case I would agree. This indeed requires agreement with the will or put another way, ones desires.

But in the case of Salvation, this requires "Regeneration" from God the Holy Spirit before one can believe. Belief in "the Truth" cannot come from a nature that is at enmity with God and "all" mankind, is at enmity with God, apart from Regeneration. (Rom. 3:9-18) To believe in the Scriptures, apart from Regeneration, (John 3:1-10), is against our very nature, (Rom. 1:18-23) and NO ONE acts contrary to their nature.

Also, you said - that receiving a thing, requires the will. However this is not always true. When God gives a thing, to an individual, it is received by that individual. Most often, the individual is "passive" in it's reception.

Example: In John 3:8b - where the Lord said: "..so is everyone that is born of the Spirit". (KJV) The Greek word translated in the KJV as: "that is born", is a Perfect - Passive - Participial verb. It would have been better translated: "has been born" because the "Perfect tense", emphasizes past action, with continuing results. The "voice" of the verb, is "Passive", so the recipient was acted upon and took no part in it's action. Bottom line - What God gives... IS received. (John 6:33; 1Tim. 6:13)
The Holy Spirit is present whenever the gospel is preached. He convicts of sin and reveals the Lord Jesus as Saviour. On the day of Pentecost, the Jews listening to the apostles asked, "What shall we do?" They did not get saved by just being in the presence of the apostles, hearing the word or even in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They had to choose. God did the rest, of course.

In order to receive Christ, a person has to know who He is and what He has done for us, at least the very basics of his death, resurrection and shed blood for the forgiveness of sin. The Word preached somehow produces faith in the individual and then that person must respond.

Perhaps my own experience may help. I went to a Billy Graham crusade when I was 16. I got stirred up, I went out the front, was prayed for and given the follow up materials. I filled in the decision card and a counselor was assigned to me. I was not saved at that time. I thought I was a Christian. Another young man went out at the same time. We were both in the Navy, at a recruit training base. He got born again. I knew he was different. I believed the facts, he received the Saviour. It was another 5 years or so before I was born again. That time I was at sea, I don't know where. My boss was a Christian with evangelistic zeal. He preached the "Roman road" to me and I was convicted strongly. I said the same thing as they said on the day of Pentecost. I accepted Christ and I know that I was born again right then. Before, it was like I was being drawn but to no effect.
 
Nov 26, 2021
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We are justified by faith alone which leads to good works.
Ephesians 2:8-10
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
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The Holy Spirit is present whenever the gospel is preached. He convicts of sin and reveals the Lord Jesus as Saviour. On the day of Pentecost, the Jews listening to the apostles asked, "What shall we do?" They did not get saved by just being in the presence of the apostles, hearing the word or even in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They had to choose. God did the rest, of course.

In order to receive Christ, a person has to know who He is and what He has done for us, at least the very basics of his death, resurrection and shed blood for the forgiveness of sin. The Word preached somehow produces faith in the individual and then that person must respond.

Perhaps my own experience may help. I went to a Billy Graham crusade when I was 16. I got stirred up, I went out the front, was prayed for and given the follow up materials. I filled in the decision card and a counselor was assigned to me. I was not saved at that time. I thought I was a Christian. Another young man went out at the same time. We were both in the Navy, at a recruit training base. He got born again. I knew he was different. I believed the facts, he received the Saviour. It was another 5 years or so before I was born again. That time I was at sea, I don't know where. My boss was a Christian with evangelistic zeal. He preached the "Roman road" to me and I was convicted strongly. I said the same thing as they said on the day of Pentecost. I accepted Christ and I know that I was born again right then. Before, it was like I was being drawn but to no effect.
Your personal testimony, of Salvation, is in line with the Scriptures. The preaching of the Word is a part of God's Plan but it being effectual, upon the listener, is dependent upon the Sovereign Work of the Spirit. This is why the message is received by some and rejected by others. Thus, the difference between the "Effectual call" of the Gospel and the "General call" of the Gospel. It is this Sovereign Work of Grace, (Born again), upon the sinner, that enables one to believe what is heard. Now, believing what is heard motivates the will towards God and His Christ. Therefore, it is God who moves first and the person moved upon, reacts by believing and trusting in God's Word. Our "fallen" nature is at enmity with God and loves sin. We are are dead, spiritually speaking and cannot commune with God but this New Birth gives one spiritual life and restores our communion with God. ( John 9:31 We know that God does not hear sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he is hearing. )

This single verse, in John 9, precludes the idea that one can pray to be saved, as the Arminians teach, while still estranged from God. It is imperative, under God's Plan for Salvation, that one receive: 1) A new heart. 2) Eyes that can see. 3) Ears that can hear. This is Regeneration. These are accomplished in the New Birth. The new heart, alters the disposition and desires of that one. The eyes are opened to the Truth and the ears hear that Truth. That one, now, possesses a discerning mind. These work in concert to motivate the will. This is Conversion. There can be no Regeneration, that does not lead to conversion and there can be no Conversion, that is not proceeded by regeneration.

My personal testimony is similar to yours. Subjected to the Gospel message for years but with no effect. Then one day, I heard a conversation surrounding the Gospel and for the first time in my life, I asked myself: "What do I believe about that?". I went home and prayed the Lord would lead me into understanding and I would find the answer. Not knowing where to start in the Scriptures, I made a blind cut into the Bible, with my eyes closed. When I opened them, I was in John Chapter 1. What I read took hold of me and I cried like a baby. I was convicted of my sins and felt the weight of my sins, which Jesus Christ had to pay for. There was a sense, where I felt that I had a part in killing my Lord. My repentance and conversion were underway.

It would be months later, before I realized the reason I cared that day, upon hearing the Gospel discussed, was because God had visited me with His Spirit. (John 3:8) He had revived my dead spirit and made me alive. (Titus 3:5) Now I had burning questions and the Scriptures made sense to my mind. Blessed be the Lord, that took mercy upon my wretchedness, even before the world began.