MORNING MANNA          10/17/20

Nothing in the world is more important than salvation – a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet many take the approach that it’s not something we can be sure about or that one guess in as good as another. In their mind no one can know for certain that they are saved and going to heaven. Evidently they’re not been reading the Bible. The apostle John tells us we can know we’re saved. That in fact was his reason for writing this letter. That being the case we would be wise to consider what he says.

In this letter John gives us several vital signs of spiritual life, signs of salvation. Open your Bible and look at these references and you will see what I mean. He speaks of an —
1. Intense love for Christ – 4:19;5:1-3This is the first and great commandment (Matt. 22:36-38). The Christian loves Christ above all else, and there will be some evidence of it.
2. Interest in others – 3:14-19; 4:7-8,20Love for others is the second great commandment and it always accompanies the first. If you love Christ you will love others, and love is always manifested by good deeds and meeting needs.
3. Insatiable desire to see others saved – 4:15Confessing Christ before others is an evidence of salvation (Matt. 10:33; Rom. 10:11). Something is seriously wrong with those who claim to be a Christian yet never make an effort to win others to Christ. By the actions of some it appears that they have no concern where their family and friends will spend eternity.
4. Inward desire for holiness – 2:3-6The true believer doesn’t love the world (2:15), listens to the Word of God (4:6), obeys the will of God (2:3-6; 3:6-10), and is an overcomer (5:4-5,18). He isn’t perfect but he wants to be.
5.Inner witness of the Holy Spirit – 3:24; 4:13;5:10,19 (also Rom. 8:16)Our assurance isn’t self generated, something acquired by human effort. It is given by the Spirit of God.

Now in light of all this, you might want to do as Paul says in 2 Cor. 13:5 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”. Do you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you would go to heaven if you died today? Is there evidence of it? – HDS

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346