You Can "Know"

With Full Assurance

Published on June 26, 2009 By KFC Kickin For Christ In Religion

"Freedom comes from knowing the truth. Bondage results from missing it."

I read those words recently from a well known Pastor. I thought, "Ain't that the truth?"

Someone here on JU asked me recently how I can "know" that I'm going to heaven since he believes we really can't know for sure. I refuted that, because I do absolutely know for sure I'm going to heaven. I have been set free from that doubt of not knowing.

There are some religious groups out there that teach you can't be sure. One teaches the best time to die is when you're walking out of a confession booth. That would be the only time you can be sure of your salvation. How sad.

I say nonsense. All a bunch of nonsense. It's a man-made teaching. They are teaching fear and guilt to keep you in line. That's all that is. Some call it brainwashing. I agree. If I must do or not do something to keep from losing my salvation, then salvation would have to be by faith and works. Keeps me coming!!

It's the works part, these religious organizations are most after. If they can convince you of this, you will continue to work and work and work for the church to ensure that your ticket to the hereafter is secure.

Nonesense. I believe this type of teaching is exactly why so many are dissatisfied with organized religion. I don't blame them one bit. Someday, the leaders in these churches will have alot to answer for. With much responsibility comes much accountability.

So what is at stake? Many things. Peace, assurance, joy, love for instance. They all are related. If you don't have assurance of God's acceptance you can't have peace and without peace you can have no joy. A person with no peace is really motivated by fear. Fear and love don't match up well.

John said this:

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life." 1 John 5:13

Think about it. If Christ came to seek and save the lost wouldn't it have been wise on God's part to snatch us to heaven right then, the moment we are saved in order to insure we make it? Otherwise God is taking a great risk forcing us to stay here and walk thru a very sinful world. Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that "bad company corrupts good character." We all know there's plenty of bad characters around us every day.

Another thing to think about. If we don't have this assurance, peace, and joy because it's replaced by fear in losing our salvation doesn't that spill over to worry? Didn't Jesus tell us worrying is a sin? Didn't Paul tell us to be anxious over nothing? How can we reconcile these things if God is holding our ticket to heaven over our heads in the hopes we are good little boys and girls. If we mess up.....oh well. Ticket rescinded.

No, the only way we can have the peace and joy and assurance is to believe Christ when he said those that come to him can have eternal life. When we come to him, he says, we can have life more abundantly. This is not the same type of life the world offers. But if we tell others that we can't be sure of our eternal security then it's no diff than what the world offers. Who wants that? The world offers, fear, worry, anxiety and hate. Who needs that?

Salvation has to be by faith alone. Once good works are introduced into the salvation process then it gets all chaotic and complicated. It is no longer by faith alone but by faith and works and to say that is to take the daily burden of our salvation upon ourselves. Then you have to ask, why did Jesus come to die? Didn't he take this burden from off our shoulders? Didn't he carry it instead? If we believe our salvation is determined by our works, it pretty much contradicts just about every doctrine in scripture spoken by Christ and written down by the Apostles.

Think about this. If our salvation is not secure how could Jesus say "they will never perish?" (John 10:28) If we receive eternal life but then forfeited it thru sin, either by not doing what we should do or doing what we shouldn't do, will we not perish? By doing so, don't we make Jesus words to be a lie, null and void? Didn't he die for our sins, past, present and future? I believe he did.

I guess it really comes down to trust and commitment. Jesus is calling us to do more than just believe in his existence. He's calling us to put our trust in him, in his words and in his death in exchange for our sins. That's it. Even a child can understand this.

"Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is recokoned as righteousness." Romans 4:5.

Comments (Page 28)

406

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

Religious people believe that God and Satan are in an eternal battle for people's souls, and that the reason the battle is so intense and long is that God and Satan are equal. But Satan is an angel. How can an angel be equal with God?

Not quite Infidel but almost.

God and Satan are in a spiritual battle for men's souls. Yes. But not because of any equality. You can see that all thru scripture. Satan is allowed by God to roam the earth to do his work but God has put limits on Satan. Remember Job? Also in the beginning of Genesis and in the end book of Revelation we see the final demise of Satan. That's why those two books in particular are the most attacked. Satan would love us not to be in them.

Satan was created as an angel but now has become the Prince of Demons. He's not even close to becoming equal with God.

Priestcraft"

interesting word...never heard that one before

407

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

When the cat's away, the mice will play or so it's said...

I just got back after being gone for over a week and am disappointed that Lula decided to turn my site into a proselytization for the RCC but I will refrain from either deleting them (as I've threatened before) or commenting on them.

Where is the evidence that Jesus existed? To my knowledge no such evidence exists.

just like the Holocaust never existed? Besides what Lula said in her answer, the whole world turned upside down as a result of this one man. There's more written about him than any other figure in history in any country. His book continues to this day to be a best seller of all time. Even our calendar changed as a result of his birth, life and death among us.

The 10 Commandments may have first been given to the Isrealites, but they were written in stone for a good reason...they are universal and meant for all time.

this is a legalistic approach. We are NOT under the law anymore Lula. We are under grace. Remember what it said in John 1:17?

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

The law was given to the Jews, not the Gentiles. The law showed us God's desire; his heart but mercy trumps judgment. Read Acts 15. Read what the requirements were for the Gentiles to come into the faith. Nothing about the law was mentioned. That's what the whole book of Galatians is about. We are NOT under the law but under grace. We are no longer servants but sons of God. A servant is treated differently than a heir.

How do you know all of those things aren't part of God's plan? How do you know things aren't turning out the way he knew they would from the beginning?

this is very insightful and I agree that it's all part of the plan from the get go.

Just what are "good works", and just who defines what "good works" are?

When the scriptures describe good works it's doing good in the name of God. Anything that glorifies God is considered a good work. Out of the abundance of our heart for what the good Lord has done for us, we work. We work for him by being his hands and feet.

How does one know exactly what works are for the sake of god's will and which aren't?

the key is motivation. Why are you doing what you're doing? Are you doing it for God or for yourself? If for God it's good, if for yourself it's evil. Is it God centered or me centered? That's the question you ask yourself.

Despite what Lula or KFC says, it's my observation that there is relativsm when it comes to morals (right/wrong). This is largely due to the numerous cultures, religions, inidivuals, et al. in society. It's just a fact that some don't understand.

No, not relativisim is involved. God is all about truth, not relativisim. What I said above to Infidel transcends any religion or culture. Jesus said two commands sum up the entire OT and that is to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Our good works stem from those two commands.

408

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

How can the scripture describe something that had never existed before? The word church was not in existance. There must have been another hebrew word used that was translated into "church"

The word church is used twice in scripture to describe the followers of Christ. The first church was founded in Antioch under Paul, not Peter. Before the word church was used the English word from the Hebrew in the OT was "assembly."

A man that was never an apostle. Yes I do know that St. Paul persecuted Jesus's followers, and all of a sudden had a vision that no one but himself saw or heard, causing a drastic change of heart so he says. Anything can be faked, and what better way to subvert the word of Jesus than to give oneself the authority over his followers. A change of behaviour is no indication of a change of heart. It can be simply a change of tactics. In other words if you can't beat them join them and then beat them from within.

One of the strongest indications of salvation is a changed heart. Paul wasn't a fake given he gave his life for the cause of Christ not to mention the many beatings and jailings he endured in the process. Those who are faking usually stop at the point where their life could be at stake. Their mask usually does fall off especially when the times get tough for them. That's why Christ said "those who endure to the end will be saved." He was saying that's proof of who the genuine ones are. Paul endured great persecution for the salvation of others even saying that if he could ensure the salvation of the Jews he would gladly trade his life for theirs. That's exactly what Christ did and Paul had the mind of Christ.

I do agree tho that this tactic you mentioned is used and I believe it was used by the RCC. But Paul should not be put into that same category.

I don't see any evidence that Jesus started the CC, nor is there any. The CC was started long after his death.

Who says that only the CC has the authority besides the CC? Jesus never said any such thing.

AMEN!

There's scripture right in the gospels that I believe he put there on purpose knowing that the RCC would make such claims. These scriptures deny what they are telling the people. That's why I say the RCC contradicts scripture. Both can't be right.

409

Infidel

on Aug 07, 2009

I agree that it's all part of the plan from the get go.

Then it doesn't really matter what we do. Whatever we do is ok with God because that's what he wants us to do. Each individual.

410

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

Then it doesn't really matter what we do. Whatever we do is ok with God because that's what he wants us to do. Each individual.

not necessarily. God can take our bad and turn it into good for his glory but we will ultimately be accountable for our actions unlike what we are being taught these days.

411

Infidel

on Aug 07, 2009

God can take our bad and turn it into good for his glory

It's all good because it fulfills his plan.

412

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

It's all good because it fulfills his plan.

ultimately...yes!

413

Infidel

on Aug 07, 2009

ultimately...yes!

Then why...

we will ultimately be accountable for our actions

414

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

Then why...

we will ultimately be accountable for our actions

Because God is a God of justice.

The end result has no bearing on us being accountable for our actions.

415

AldericJourdain

on Aug 07, 2009

Because God is a God of justice.

You've gotta love circular reasoning...you still didn't answer the question in a solid way. Anyone can say, "Well it's X because Y says so." I, for one, would like to see some sort of basis, factual, for this.

"Our," as in Christian. You really can't say the same for any of the countless indigenous cultures whose moral beliefs either state different things or are from different (a) God(s)s/sources. Though I'm sure the same culture would say close to what you are saying when it comes to their culture. Everyone is naturally ethno/culturally centric. Theirs is the best, right, and only way.

'Tis life.

~Alderic

416

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 07, 2009

You've gotta love circular reasoning...you still didn't answer the question in a solid way.

of course I did. What I didn't do is go on and on and on with it. I stated it simply and truthfully. God is the judge. We will all stand in his court some day. We will either be guilty and worthy of spiritual death or innocent and worthy of eternal life. Our good deeds have nothing to do with that but we still will be held accountable for everything we do in this life as we stand before him in another.

For those who believe they can do whatever they please, go ahead. Just be prepared for the consequences.

417

Infidel

on Aug 08, 2009

of course I did

No, you didn't. So I'll rephrase. Why would God punish people for doing what he wanted them to do? Even those who don't repent. They still did what he wanted. It doesn't make sense. Unless he's a cruel bastard.

418

KFC Kickin For Christ

on Aug 08, 2009

Why would God punish people for doing what he wanted them to do?

now that's another question...not the same as you presented before. Who says God is punishing people for what he wanted them to do? That makes no sense. Doing what God wants us to do brings blessings not cursings.

Example:

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. God blessed and watched over Joseph while in jail and because of his 17 years incarcerated he was later able to help his whole family when famine hit the land. By that time he was out of jail, recognized for his abilities and made second in command over the land of Egypt. God didn't want the brothers to do what they did, but as a result God used the opportunity to make something good out of something evil.

Those brothers would still be held accountable for their actions. Just like we all will be.

It doesn't make sense. Unless he's a cruel bastard.

and that's really in your heart of hearts what you want him to be isn't it? Truthfully? By saying so, you can justify your own actions by doing what you want to do.

There's a saying that says..."you see what you look for."

419

Jythier

on Aug 08, 2009

God prepares for you to do wrong. Example: Jesus died for my sins almost 2000 years before I ever sinned. Also, see KFC's example, where Joseph had a life in Egypt prepared for him even though his brothers did wrong to him. Just because God turned sin into good, doesn't mean it's not sin or that we shouldn't be held accountable.

420

SplitPeaSoup

on Aug 08, 2009

Look, if you are trying to get into heaven by just believing, you are playing Pascal's wager.

If you had the kind of faith they are talking about, you could have the rationality and the cleverness to steal, cheat, lie, and through selfishness build yourself a successful life. But you would refuse it.

It's kind of like being a vegetarian. You can't fix the world, but you wouldn't contribute to its evil.

On a side note, you would do this even if you weren't going to heaven for it.

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