I want to start out saying that the Lord Jesus Christ is the
only way to heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me. We call the Lord Jesus Christ Lord
because he is God manifested in the flesh. If you hear me
preach or teach very long you will hear me refer to the Lord
Jesus Christ as the eternal God-Man. That is a unique title
that can only be applied to him because he is the only
individual to ever walk this earth who is God manifested in
flesh. We call him Jesus because he is the Saviour of the
world. Jesus means Jehovah saves. We call him Christ because
he is the anointed one that will rule and reign as the
Jewish Messiah and King of the world in the literal city of
Jerusalem upon the literal throne of David.
George Whitefield , some say John Wesley, was once asked
“Why do you preach so much on Ye must be born again”? His
answer was that “Because ye must be born again”. Since men
must be born again, why are we not preaching and teaching
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ from the pulpits of our
Baptist Churches. The reason that I know that a scriptural
doctrine of salvation is not being proclaimed from our
pulpits is that our Baptist Churches are full of
unbelieving, unregenerate reprobates that are lost and dying
and on their way to HELL. Another reason that I know that a
scriptural doctrine of salvation is not being preached from
our pulpits is that there is no power in most of our Baptist
churches even in so called Independent, Fundamental Baptist
Churches. They are grave yard dead. WHY? Because they are
whited sepulchres full of dead men’s bones! Still yet
another reason that I know that a scriptural doctrine of
salvation is not being preached from our pulpits is that our
churches are full of rebels that are in open rebellion
against God and everything that is commanded in our Bibles.
The man or woman that is a rebel is not acting like a sheep.
The new birth through the Lord Jesus Christ is not being
preached anymore like it once was because apostate
Christianity does not believe that he is the only way to
salvation. The question for you today is, “What does God
require for salvation?”. A short answer would be that God
requires conviction, faith, repentance, regeneration, and
confession. What does that entail?
CONVICTION
is the ministry of the Holy Ghost that convicts , or
reproves, a lost sinner or the sinning Christian. Conviction
leads the lost sinner to that knowledge that they are a
sinner in the eyes of a holy God and that they are on the
way to hell (judgement). THERE CAN BE NO SALVATION WITHOUT
THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY GHOST. John 16:7-9 says:
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7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient
for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the
Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I
will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he
will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness,
and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not
on me; John 16:7-9 |
Conviction is used in conjunction with the drawing of the
heart to God. John 6:44 says:
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44 No man can come to me, except the Father which
hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at
the last day. John 6:44 |
The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 12:32 that if he be
lifted up, he would draw all men unto him. That lifting up
refers to both the crucifixion and giving the Lord Jesus
Christ the glory due to his name.
FAITH
- In the words of Pastor Robert Sargent faith is:
“Forgetting All Impossibilities Trusting Him”. There are
probably many definitions of faith that we could give. In
the Bible, faith is always a word that relates to action.
The apostle James said that faith without works is dead.
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the wellspring of our
Christians beliefs. Faith is the substance of things hoped
for and evidence of things not seen. Note that faith is
evidenced by substance. Faith comes by hearing the word of
God. Faith is also related to impossibilities. It is
impossible to touch faith, but it is possible to see faith’s
results just as it is impossible to see God the Holy Ghost,
but it is possible to see the results of a Spirit filled
Christian exercising faith that is the result of yielding to
the Holy Ghost. Hebrews 11:6 says: But without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him. Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
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8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of
works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 |
The subject of verse 8 is the word “saved”. The phrase
“through faith” tells us how we get salvation. It is the
salvation of verse 8 that the phrase “it is the gift of God”
is referring to. Salvation is the gift of God: not faith.
Faith is the only hand through which we can receive the gift
of salvation.
REPENTANCE
- Repentance is a change of heart that results in a change
of attitude toward God that results in a change of action
toward God. Repentance is firstly toward God, but then its
fruits will manifest themselves toward man and provide
evidence to your fellow man that you are indeed a child of
God. Repentance is not an outward reformation. Repentance is
an inward reformation that allows the Holy Ghost to
publickly manifest the Lord Jesus Christ through your life.
It is something that takes place in the heart of the
believer that permanently changes the relationship between
God and the believer. It is a change that results in
reconciliation of the sinner to God. For lost sinners, faith
and repentance create and everlasting relationship that
cannot be annulled because it is in the fullest sense of the
word an adoption by God into the family of God. Both legally
and by definition adoption creates a relationship that
cannot be broken by disowning the child. The adoption also
refers to the redemption of the body at the rapture in
Romans. For saved sinners, repentance restores fellowship.
Repentance is the fruit of the tree of life that is grounded
and rooted in the seed of faith. If there is no fruit in the
life of a professing believer, then there is no root of
faith in that individual. Simply put, if there is no fruit
there is no root. Repentance is the result of the Holy Ghost
working in and through an individual. Repentance is also the
evidence of saving faith. If you have not repented then you
are not saved. Repentance is not a work of the human will.
Repentance is the work of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of
lost and saved sinners. Repentance is not worldly sorrow or
remorse over having been caught. In 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 we
see the nature of true repentance and 2 Corinthians 5:14-19
we see the results, or end state, of repentance. Repentance
always comes after conviction. Repentance is absolutely
necessary for salvation. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians
7:8-10:
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8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do
not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that
the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were
but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were
made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for
ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye
might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly
sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be
repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh
death. 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 |
What a contrast between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. Worldly sorrow
worketh death. Worldly sorrow worketh the second death that
leads to the lake of fire. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians
5:17:
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17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 |
The whole point of 2 Corinthians 5:17 is that salvation
changes people. God is not going to save you and leave you
in the same lifestyle you were in before he saved you. God
the Holy Ghost expressed the same sentiment in 1 Corinthians
6:9-11 but used more specific terms:
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9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit
the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the
kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye
are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the
Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 |
There are many wicked and vile sins identified in this
passage, but notice that the Holy Ghost said “SUCH WERE SOME
OF YOU”. What had happened? Old things had passed away and
all things had become new. Note in 1 Corinthians 6:11 the
phrase “but ye are washed”. You would ask washed in what? We
are washed in the blood of the Lamb of God. The apostle John
said in Revelation 1:5:
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5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood, Revelation 1:5 |
John the Baptist said: “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh
away the sin of the world. It is the blood of the perfect
and sinless Lamb of God that paid the penalty for our sins.
Without the shedding of the blood of the Lamb of God there
is no remission. From the Scriptures, we can identify at
least seven things that the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
does for the born again believer. They are:
1. Saved by the Blood of His
Cross:
Leviticus 17:11, Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Acts 20:28,
Romans 3:24-25, Romans 5:9-10, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesian 2:13,
Colossians 1:13-14, Colossians 1:20, Hebrews 9:11-12,
Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 13:12,
Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 1:6-7, Revelation
1:5, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:14, and Revelation 12:11:
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood:
and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an
atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that
maketh an atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which
is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew
26:28
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many. Mark 14:24
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he
hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath
set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the
forbearance of God; Romans 3:24–25
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if,
when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by
the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life. Romans 5:9–10
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Ephesians 1:7
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far
off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians
2:13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear
Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his
blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians
1:13–14
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his
cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself;
by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or
things in heaven. Colossians 1:20
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good
things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats
and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once
into the holy place, having obtained eternal
redemption for us. Hebrews 9:11–12
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who
through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with
blood; and without shedding of blood is no
remission. Hebrews 9:22
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter
into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews
10:19
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the
people with his own blood, suffered without the
gate. Hebrews 13:12
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the
dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, Hebrews 13:20
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from
your vain conversation received by tradition from
your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without
spot: 1 Peter 1:18–19
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and
walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1
John 1:6–7
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful
witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood, Revelation 1:5
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy
to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for
thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation; Revelation 5:9
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he
said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,
and by the word of their testimony; and they loved
not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
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2. Justified by the Blood of His
Cross: Romans 5:8-9:
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8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8–9
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3. Redeemed by the Blood of His
Cross: Revelation 5:9 and Colossians 1:14:
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy
to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for
thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people,
and nation; Revelation 5:9
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:14
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4. Forgiven by the Blood of His
Cross: Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14:
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace; Ephesians 1:7
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:14 |
5. Made Nigh by the Blood of His
Cross: Ephesians 2:13:
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13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far
off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians
2:13
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6. Cleansed by the Blood of His
Cross; Revelation 7:14:
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14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he
said to me, These are they which came out of great
tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14 |
7. Victorious by the Blood of His
Cross: Revelation 12:11:
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,
and by the word of their testimony; and they loved
not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11
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I would remind again you that the Lamb of God is the
perfect, sinless Lord Jesus Christ. God the Father required
sinless blood to pay the price for our sins. There has only
been one perfect, sinless man to ever live on the face of
this earth, and that man was the man Christ Jesus. The Bible
declares three different times that the Lord Jesus Christ is
sinless. We see those declarations in 2 Corinthians 5:21,
Hebrews 4:15, and Hebrews 9:28:
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of
God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was
in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. Hebrews 4:15
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall he
appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Hebrews 9:28 |
Now let us talk about regeneration.
REGENERATION
- The term regeneration means to be reborn spiritually of
the Holy Ghost. Regeneration NEVER, EVER comes before faith.
If anyone ever tells you that you have to be regenerated
before you can exercise saving faith, you had better run
from them like a scalded dog because that is the heresy of
Calvinism. The Holy Ghost that physically raised the Lord
Jesus Christ from the dead is the same Holy Ghost that
raises the unbeliever from spiritual death. The Bible says
in Isaiah 53:10-12:
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10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath
put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an
offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall
prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall
prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail
of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many;
for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore
will I divide him a portion with the great, and he
shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he
hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was
numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin
of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors. Isaiah 53:10-12 |
Faith and repentance always precede regeneration.
Regeneration is referred to as being “born again” or to be
“born from above”. The result of regeneration is spiritual
renewal by the Holy Ghost unto a new life. It is this
regeneration and the resulting indwelling of the Holy Ghost
that gives us the power to live sanctified and holy lives.
Regeneration is best described in John 3:3-8 and briefly in
Titus 3:5:
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can
he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and
be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not
that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the
sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh,
and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born
of the Spirit. John 3:3-8
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost; Titus 3:5 |
Have you been born again? We refer to being born again as
salvation. So, what is salvation?
SALVATION
- Put simply, salvation is the redemption from the penalty
of sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though
salvation is sometimes referred to as a process, for the
unbeliever salvation comes the moment they exercise faith
and they turn from their sin to God. It is a process only in
the sense that God has established the plan (or the process)
through which salvation takes place. Unlike what one Bible
perversion reads, we are not being saved. At any specific
point in time, we either are 100% saved or we are 100% lost.
From the moment of faith, salvation is instantaneous.
Salvation brings instant everlasting deliverance from the
eternal flames of hell. Salvation gives us instant
everlasting life.
CONFESSION
- is an action that takes place with the mouth. Once we are
convicted of our sin, exercise faith unto salvation, and
come to repentance in our hearts, we are to confess our sin
of unbelief before God and man. Matthew 10:32-33 states:
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32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men,
him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men,
him will I also deny before my Father which is in
heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 |
Note also what Romans 10:8-14 states:
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8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in
thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of
faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in
thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the
scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall
not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference
between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord
over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall
be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom
they have not believed? and how shall they believe
in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:8-14 |
A word of warning is in order here. It is not just saying
some words that saves you. Verse 13 says that “whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”, but
verse 14 says you cannot call upon him for salvation unless
you have believed. That belief is called faith. A faithless
“sinner’s prayer” cannot save you.
There are four evidences of salvation and five birthmarks of
a believer.
The four evidences of salvation are:
(1) A New Relationship with and a
New Attitude Toward God: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and
Galatians 6:15:
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Galatians 6:15
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(2) A Love for God’s Word:
Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:119, Psalm 119:127, Psalm 119:159,
Psalm 119:61, and Psalm 119:165:
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might
not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth
like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies. Psalm
119:119
127 Therefore I love thy commandments Above gold;
yea, above fine gold. Psalm 119:127
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: Quicken me, O
Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. Psalm 119:159
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: But I
have not forgotten thy law. Psalm 119:61
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And
nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
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(3) A Love for and a Desire to Be
with God’s People: Matthew 12:46-50,1 John 3:14, 1
John 5:1-3, and Hebrews 10:24-27:
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his
mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to
speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold,
thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring
to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto
him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my
brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward
his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my
brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my
Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother,
and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:46–50
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his
brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:14
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God: and every one that loveth him that
begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By
this we know that we love the children of God, when
we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this
is the love of God, that we keep his commandments:
and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:1–3
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto
love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we
sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
devour the adversaries. Hebrews 10:24–27
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(4) A Love for God’s Ways:
Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 11:22, Deuteronomy 19:9,
Deuteronomy 26:17, Deuteronomy 30:16, Joshua 22:5, and Psalm
119:11-15:
12 And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God
require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to
walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve
the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy
soul, Deuteronomy 10:12
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these
commandments which I command you, to do them, to
love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and
to cleave unto him; Deuteronomy 11:22
9 If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do
them, which I command thee this day, to love the
Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then
shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside
these three: Deuteronomy 19:9
17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy
God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his
statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments,
and to hearken unto his voice: Deuteronomy 26:17
16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord
thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his
commandments and his statutes and his judgments,
that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy
God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest
to possess it. Deuteronomy 30:16
5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and
the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged
you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all
his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to
cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your
heart and with all your soul. Joshua 22:5
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might
not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord:
Teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I
declared All the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have
rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, As much as
in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways. Psalm 119:11–15
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If you will take a close at the many passages of Scripture I
just quoted, you will see that the book of Deuteronomy and
Psalm 119 occupies a prominent place among them. Deuteronomy
is the practical law and admonishment for God’s people. If
after you are saved, you will read, study, meditate upon,
and apply the precepts of Psalm 119 you cannot help but to
develop a love for God’s Word and God’s way. His word and
his way run hand in hand and are inseparable from a
fulfilling and right relationship with God. Next up, we have
the five birthmarks of a believer. These are:
(1) Obedience: 1 John
2:3-6:
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3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep
his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and
keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he
abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even
as he walked. 1 John 2:3–6 |
(2) Love: 1 John 3:14-19:
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14 We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his
brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive
we the love of God, because he laid down his life
for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and
seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love
of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not
love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in
truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the
truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 1
John 3:14–19 |
(3) Truth: 1 John 4:1-6:
|
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know
ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth
that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3
And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this
is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard
that it should come; and even now already is it in
the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and
have overcome them: because greater is he that is in
you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the
world: therefore speak they of the world, and the
world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth
God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not
us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the
spirit of error.1 John 4:1–6 |
(4) The Witness of the Holy
Spirit: 1 John 4:13 (See also Romans 8:16):
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in
us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 John
4:13
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our
spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:16 |
(5) The Witness Within: 1
John 5:9-13:
|
9 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. 10 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. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given
to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not
the Son of God hath not life. 13 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. 1 John 5:9–13
|
Do you have that witness within? Do you know for sure that
you are saved and not going to hell. if you are saved, God
the Holy Ghost will witness to your spirit that you are
indeed a child of God! |
