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!!!!!

There is the element of a changed lifestyle. I wouldn't give a plug nickel on the profession of faith of someone who claims to be saved for sometime now but still has the foul mouth, still goes out to the bars drinking, still steals when the opportunity arises, etc.

No change, no salvation! That's the way I see it, just being honest.

No Change, No Salvation????

Well there is a Change at Salvation. And it is POSITIONAL. It is inward.

For there to be experiential change and outward transformation that new believer, must start to walk in the Spirit and become a doer of the word.

For if a Christian does not walk in the Spirit, but walks after the flesh, then there will be no changed life.

Yes, I agree with everything you said!

There is defiantly an instant change in one inwardly at salvation, a heart change, as you said inward!

That is the change that changes the outward position. With the inward heart change, the outward change will follow!

And there is the proof of salvation, a changed life.

I like this passage.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.4.3.ESV

Precious friend, God Alone Is the "JUDGE" not "men inspecting others" for change.
Always go By BIBLICAL Facts:

There are "carnal" saints, who have NO change (1 Corinthians 5:1-5), and, WILL
"LOSE rewards" At Judgment, but "he himSELF Shall BE SAVED!" (1 Cor 3:14-15)

Always go by "What God Says," NEVER what judging men think:

Conclusion:

Salvation is 100 Percent Free, But Eternal Rewards
{incorruptible crown/reigning With HIM!} are 100 percent Earned!

(2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 3:9 =
Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans – Philemon}, For ALL “to SEE,” today?)

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!
God’s Simple Will!

Not judging anyone on salvation, just saying I have seen the salvation in many by the changed life they evidence.

Anyone can say they are saved and when you see they have turned from their old ways it's very convincing!

After all, isn't that what "repenting" is all about, changing?

You are correct. The first words out of Jesus' when he started His earthly ministry were, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

Repenting means being sorry for your past transgressions and changing your ways to Christ's ways, the ways of His teachings.

Many people who profess to be Christians limit their faith to believing that Jesus is God and that He will save us. Unfortunately, that is a very truncated/lacking faith in Jesus. Believing in Jesus is believing that He is our Lord and God and that he offers us His salvation. But, most importantly, faith in Jesus means believing and following all that he taught and the example He set while He was on earth. If you fail to believe and follow all that Jesus taught, then you have no faith. Simple as that.

Some will say that is judging, I say it is Biblical common sense!

Brother Greg Jackson, I don't know who you are but you are misleading Christians. Unfortunately, your viewpoint of salvation is very truncated and lacking faith in what Jesus taught. Believing in Jesus is believing that He is our Lord and God and that he offers us His salvation. But, most importantly, faith in Jesus means believing and following all that he taught and the example He set while He was on earth. If you fail to believe and follow all that Jesus taught, then you have no faith. Simple as that.

Jackson, you have quoted a lot of biblical truths, but out of context and lacking in faith in Jesus. You are misleading others.

Unless our faith in Jesus leads us into a transfiguration in a new life in Christ, through the aid of the Holy Spirit, then our faith is dead. Belief without change/action is dust in the wind.

You need to define believing. That's why Calvinists (I'm not one) have a test. Peter says that we should examine ourselves to be sure that we are in the faith. We are told also that the devil believes. I can assure you that he is not saved.

If you ask churchgoers, most will say that they believe. Yet statistically, only about 4% are born again. Obviously this varies from place to place. Churchgoers in Iran are much more likely to be born again than those in the Western world.

I believed the facts for years before I was saved. My believing did nothing for me. Believing must be more than just mental assent to a set of facts. You can believe that an airline can take you from Melbourne to London. You could buy a ticket, arrange a visa pack your bags and order a taxi. You still won't get to London if you do not board the plane.

God only saves sinners. If you do not consider yourself a sinner, you cannot be saved. Being born into a Christian family will not make you a Christian. I was born in England so I automatically assumed that I was a Christian. God is English, right? Not really.

There are tests that indicate whether or not someone is saved. One of the most accurate is the person's attitude to other believers. We prove that we have passed from death to life when we love the brethren. It's the 11th commandment for those who are inclined to legalism.

Not quite. The first epistle of John lists at least six evidences.

You make a great point when you say, "My believing did nothing for me. Believing must be more than just mental assent to a set of facts. " True faith in Jesus is believing all He taught and living His Word, His teachings in your life, being transfigured by His teachings into a new creation in Christ.

Good point Gideon.

I'm glad you can see what I'm getting at. I'm not always sure that I'm explaining myself well enough.

A true Christian of faith isn't one who just professes to believe. How to recognize a true believer? Matthew 7:20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

And that is how you'll recognize a true believer with faith in Jesus.

Not too many people are aware of the great Christian apologist G.k. Chesterton. Apparently you are well read.

These are assurances of salvation. Evidence of having salvation is changed in character or having the fruit of the Holy Spirit is evidence of salvation.