How can someone be sure that they believe in Jesus?
- Thread starter LeeLoving
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Hi, Lee.
My answer will not be exhaustive, but I will mention some things that ought to be evident where true belief in Jesus is concerned.
For one thing, there ought to be some sort of inner witness of salvation.
1 John 5:9-11
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."|
This "witness in himself" ought to be the witness of the Holy Spirit which one receives at salvation.
Romans 8:15-17
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
As we just read, the Holy Spirit ought to be bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God if we have truly believed unto salvation.
There should also be some sense of inner peace or peace with God because Jesus came to reconcile us unto our heavenly Father.
At the same time, however, we do have an adversary, the devil, and he is constantly about trying to condemn us, so we ought not be surprised when such types of attacks are leveled against our hearts and minds.
I could say a lot more, but it might help if you give some more specifics as to why you asked the question.
I am always a bit cautious when answering a question like this because I have encountered two totally different types of people many times over the years.
On the one hand, I have met many people who claim to be believers, yet there is no evidence whatsoever of any sort of new birth in their lives. With such, I would not want to mistakenly justify them.
On the other hand, I have met many people who I believe truly are believers, but they feel condemned all of the time because Satan is doing a number on them in their minds. With such, I would not want to mistakenly condemn them somehow.
Again, if you could please offer some more specifics as to why you asked the question, then I believe that it would be easier to answer it properly.
Thank you.
My answer will not be exhaustive, but I will mention some things that ought to be evident where true belief in Jesus is concerned.
For one thing, there ought to be some sort of inner witness of salvation.
1 John 5:9-11
"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."|
This "witness in himself" ought to be the witness of the Holy Spirit which one receives at salvation.
Romans 8:15-17
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
As we just read, the Holy Spirit ought to be bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God if we have truly believed unto salvation.
There should also be some sense of inner peace or peace with God because Jesus came to reconcile us unto our heavenly Father.
At the same time, however, we do have an adversary, the devil, and he is constantly about trying to condemn us, so we ought not be surprised when such types of attacks are leveled against our hearts and minds.
I could say a lot more, but it might help if you give some more specifics as to why you asked the question.
I am always a bit cautious when answering a question like this because I have encountered two totally different types of people many times over the years.
On the one hand, I have met many people who claim to be believers, yet there is no evidence whatsoever of any sort of new birth in their lives. With such, I would not want to mistakenly justify them.
On the other hand, I have met many people who I believe truly are believers, but they feel condemned all of the time because Satan is doing a number on them in their minds. With such, I would not want to mistakenly condemn them somehow.
Again, if you could please offer some more specifics as to why you asked the question, then I believe that it would be easier to answer it properly.
Thank you.
Yeah, basically. You can agree that the speed limit is a good thing, but if you still break it...
To be a Christian is to follow Christ. Like, doing what Christ did. Epicureans believed Epicurus was right, so they patterened their lives after him. Stoics believ... Well they're a boring bunch, let's not talk about them.
Christians believe Christ is right, so we pattern our lives after him. As for what some other people are doing, leave them alone. We got enough to do figuring out what we are doing and why. Whether others are really Christians or not, that ain't our business.
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Christ indwells the believer, most believers will not let Him manifest through them as they lean on their own understanding.
When we perceive and walk out His guidance we fine His load is easy and His burden is light.
His Great Commission was to go into all the world spreading His truth..
When we perceive and walk out His guidance we fine His load is easy and His burden is light.
His Great Commission was to go into all the world spreading His truth..
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hello, Lee
i'd say look for the fruit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:23)
John gives some helpful thoughts in his first epistle:
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. (1 Jn 3:14)
now, we won't love perfectly, nor will we always show the fruit of the Spirit perfectly. yet, it's evidence we can be assured by.
i am praying for grace and peace for you.
i'd say look for the fruit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:23)
John gives some helpful thoughts in his first epistle:
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. (1 Jn 3:14)
now, we won't love perfectly, nor will we always show the fruit of the Spirit perfectly. yet, it's evidence we can be assured by.
i am praying for grace and peace for you.
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I will answer the way I always answer this question.
Because God does provide the answer and the 100% assurance from His word
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
The manifestation (not a gift) of speaking in tongues (speaking by the spirit) is your assurance in the senses realm that you are born again … saved.
And that is one of 12 benefits of speaking in tongues.
Of course there will be those who disagree ….but…. I didn’t author the Book …so, they are not disagreeing with me.
Because God does provide the answer and the 100% assurance from His word
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
The manifestation (not a gift) of speaking in tongues (speaking by the spirit) is your assurance in the senses realm that you are born again … saved.
And that is one of 12 benefits of speaking in tongues.
Of course there will be those who disagree ….but…. I didn’t author the Book …so, they are not disagreeing with me.
There is a world of difference between believing the facts about Jesus and believing in Him. To believe in means to trust. It means to accept what they say and obey it. The first level of trust is to accept that Jesus died for our sins and rose again from the dead so that we can have new life. If we truly believe, we will confess the truth and thank God that our sins are forgiven. As we see more truth, so we have opportunity to believe in that truth. Again there will be an outworking if belief is not just academic. Perhaps we see in God's word that Christians should give. If we truly believe, we will open our wallets. The Christian life has a definite starting point, but we are day by given opportunity to be transformed.
It is so simple that many miss it. If you are struggling with the idea, seek the Lord until it becomes clear. He has promised that those who seek diligently will find.
It is so simple that many miss it. If you are struggling with the idea, seek the Lord until it becomes clear. He has promised that those who seek diligently will find.
