Am I Saved?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 377
Transcript: www.desiringgo...

[@BruceJC75]

I do believe it is the Holy Spirit that breaks our heart over our own sin. The Holy Spirit leads us to conviction and repentance.

[@rickylara9178]

Yes when we fall into sin and grieve the holy spirit. I believe we feel that grieving and are being chastised in the spirit when we feel all sorts of burden some emotions. But we must trust in the cross and in him which he will restore our spirit if we repent. He is the only righteous one. Even our best deeds are like filthy rags. He became sin for us and was crucified. He paid our debt. Sanctification is a transformation process, and perfection after we put on our new body.☝️🙏☝️✝️🕊️🌈👼❤️

[@emyblack3540]

I have a Jesus diary, in which I write the miracles little and big that happen in my life. I haven't written in it that often since I got saved in 2016. But whenever I feel down and doubt my salvation, I read the things I've written-the irrefutable evidences of God in my life, and I get the joy and motivation to keep believing. It works, so if you got a lot of moments of doubt like me please do this as well.

[@haozhu7537]

Thanks man this technique actually helped me so so much Much blessing to you!!!!

[@iChristianGurl]

Jesus Christ make me your child. I ask for true faith.

[@5winder]

Amen... ask for perfect faith --- HIS faith.

[@JJPitanga]

How are you after this time? I hope you are well in the grace of God!

[@bean7496]

How are you all now?

[@lilyseestheworld7865]

@@bean7496 @iChristianGurl I am also interested! :-D

[@bean7496]

@@lilyseestheworld7865 let's hope she replies

[@aprilholton1150]

Our spiritual journeys are a journey. Which means it takes time, just like we have human relationships with others, it is a process to get to know Jesus. I believe we should know if we are saved, not by ourselves or our works but the spirit inside of us confirms it!! It is the most beautiful humbling experience EVER!! God bless you

[@ray-cx3he]

LORD AM I SAVED??? Lead me to the TRUTH

[@sheldonbass4238]

I praise God for the advent of the internet, where Christians may find good godly counsel that is so lacking in many congregations. Thank God that He has raised up such widely studied men as John Piper, John MacArthur, Sreve Lawson and Alistair Begg (to name a few), who offer much needed edification by inculcating us with God's holy word. I long and pray for some spiritual mentor, accountability partner--someone to give wise counsel who might take a personal interest in this one soul. I've prayed for a long time to find such a man, but I'm truly grateful for what God has provided through Channels such as this one. Thank you, to "Desiring God" and staff, and to Pastor Piper. Blessings to all.

[@tysonmoline2205]

Abba, Father! Jesus, LORD!

[@follow_the_way]

Eternal life in Christ is offered freely by God to all and obtained through our obedience to His commands. All who want eternal life in Christ just have to obey Him.

[@Izthefaithful]

The way Piper explains this is biblical and simple and truthful Thank you

[@ih8lies339]

No..Piper is a false teacher

[@cap4529]

IH8 lies how so?

[@caseycaudill926]

Amen! Thank you so much for this

[@jerboago2185]

Hey guys. The best advice i can give you is to ask as many people as possible to constantly pray for you. I used to pray on my own, not wanting others to bother themselves for me. I was so wrong. I went back to sinning and worse, it was all done deliberately. The only time i got to end all my sins at one go was the time i asked for constant prayer from everybody (Family, friends and even random strangers). Believe me, ever since i was born, i couldn't go on a day without doing all the major sins (except killing of course). I'm currently going strong for 2 weeks now which is already a miracle for me. If i can take a guess, this is God's will and design. Imagine the number of people you can remind about God or bring back to the faith if you ask them to pray for you. There is even bigger glory to God when we ask people to pray for us. If it does work for you, please pass the message. We need to help more people like us. Don't do it alone. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are here to help you. Will pray for you as well. Good luck!!! P.S. Join Christian forums. A lot of people go online and they also pray for each other.

[@heyy9340]

Jerboa Go hey PLEASE can YOU pray for ME the struggle i am having right now is that i doubt my salvation but STILL just saying that i feel convicted because i know i am saved bu for some reason i still feel condemed even tho i know im not condemed because i am in Jesus Chrsit it is by faith that i am saved but you you have said is SO TRUE because the bible also says this:) so please can you pray for me brother i dont want to keep feeling this way:( i love God and i REALLY want to share His good news from now but i feel constantly as if i am being attacked and something telling me i am doomed i ask that you would pray for me thank you.! When i am strength i will pray for you back❤️

[@jakob...]

@@heyy9340 Hi, I was wondering how are you feeling now?

[@givemechoco9753]

Can you also pray for me. I also have doubt if I'm really saved

[@thnrrtr]

Praise God! Jesus is Lord, Jesus is King!

[@Tsumebleraar]

Baie dankie. Dis van groot hulp!

[@benitojohngenitojr.5608]

Doubt is not Good.the Lord God Jesus Christ Loves Those Who Loves HIM and Our Love to HIM is Eternal.

[@AnHebrewChild]

Doubt can be good. If the person asking the question "am I saved?" Is not actually saved.

[@expiringphilosophy7605]

2:52 "...witnessing that we are God's" LOL I thought you said "witnessing that we are gods" and I did a mental double take because Piper would never say that

[@5winder]

Do you follow a Piper? Or Jesus?

[@expiringphilosophy7605]

I'm not sure what you're saying--I follow Piper insofar as Piper follows Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1). If you're trying to accuse Piper of heresy or something, then I'm not talking to you here. Such discussions are pointless and divisive.

[@Sarah-cb6cb]

I thought the same thing until I realized he meant we belong to God. I feel like he said it in a way that sounded a tad confusing.

[@bean7496]

@@Sarah-cb6cb I heard the same thing and immediately I scrolled on this thread. For a sec I thought he was on pantheism

[@vladdragos501]

Basically they want to know if you follow Piper or God, who is your God?

[@albinsiby729]

God's been pressing me recently to be Saved. I saw the testimonies of people who got saved and they said that they felt something special/ supernatural that they were Saved. I want to be Saved, and I've been really seeking God and he's not helping me and everything is just getting soooooo confusing and horrible that I don't feel I'll be Saved. I cried out to HIM, prayed to HIM. But I'm still not Saved. I repented of the sins I could, read the Bible and prayed daily. And I acknowledge that I have pride and other sins. I'm so capricious, one day I'll be praying to HIM and next day I'll be angry with HIM. I just can't take this anymore. I'm literally going mad gradually. I just don't even know what is the point in my reading the Bible or praying if I'm not going to be Saved. Some People say just believe and you will be saved, others say repent and Believe, yet others say cry out to HIM until HE saves you, and others say REPENTANCE is a work and if you think you are repenting enough, you are adding works. Some people say that if you are a Christian, you cannot continue in besetting sin, others say that you are just a Christian who is demonized. I don't want to go to hell. But amongst all this doubts, God is up there as if HE doesn't care. I really have problems here. I can't believe. I can't take this weight anymore. I literally feel crushed between all of this. I feel so depressed when I read things like only few will make it. Everyday I just spend wishing I would be Saved and just in despair. I completely dragging my life. I don't have any fruit of the Holy Spirit. I can just see other christians and there so happy and sorted and assured of salvation and I'm here in such doubt and unbelief in addition to bondage to sins, living in hell. I just feel so angry towards God. I don't want to talk to HIM. Why did HE call me out if HE didn't wanted to save me? In this testimony- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH2Qo55ql8x9jbc This woman says that she cried out to God to save her. And this says something else- kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnrdnISOi7GVfrc Here Paul washer says that this woman felt with a very strong conviction that she was Saved- kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGXEqaxoZ9SHoaM And here he says a completely different (actually opposite) story- kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ2pnISVa7aqrbM What is it?

[@derekkutz4814]

God DOES love and care about you. I believe He will come through and that He recognizes your sincere thirst for salvation and a true relationship with Him. It's likely He is holding back a bit just to test how truly your heart desires for Him. I know this scary feeling and sympathize with you. God bless you abundantly and renew your soul with His holy Spirit. I hope this message helps and is a blessing for you

[@jdarnell9656]

Albin...it's been four months, how are you now? I'd love to find out because I've had the same experience as you for five months now, and I need help.

[@dist221]

Albin - Read the Bible and pray. Dont rely on your feelings but trust in God and what Jesus did on the cross. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 ESV Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV Dont give up.

[@albinsiby729]

@@jdarnell9656 Hi. How are you I've been still seeking the Lord. The enemy regularly attacks me and tries to distract me. There's much the Lord has shown me, but still not saved. How about you? How are you now?

[@albinsiby729]

Thanks @@derekkutz4814 The Lord has been showing me that I need to submit to Him, but still my heart feels so hardened against God that I'm not able to just Trust and Rest in Him and wholly cast myself upon HIM. My heart feels repelling towards Him.

[@Goldtaker23]

I had this cry when I was saved and for a couple of months after but ive not had it in a long time roughly 2 years I am struggling with s lot confusion doubt sin etc so im sure thats a contributor I want to have that intimate relationship with Him but I dont know how to ive asked God for help a lot but im still a mess :(

[@414Mari]

I've been having the same problem lately I've been seeing your comments everywhere so I'm just asking man that you pray for me I just became a christain 4 months ago because I had some dreams about Jesus coming back and it's been really hard my walk with christ I thought I was saved because I prayed some stupid sinners prayer but figures out I was an false convert and honestly my life has been miserable I want to sin so bad and go back to my old ways and it feels like god has left me and he dosent answer my prayers so I'm just asking that you pray for me I will pray for you sincerely Randnonm Dude On The Internet

[@Goldtaker23]

@@414Mari Amen I will certainly pray for you man I know the struggle its tough if your unsure what being born again is or means look up Paul Washer the gospel on youtube he explains it very well we must have true repentence which is Godly sorrow towards God that we sinned against Him which then leads to action allowing or making your heart do this is very hard and im not sure how its done I just keep praying to God for help not much else we can do we cannot change ourselves but if you genuinely want Him and a relationship with Him I KNOW He is willing to help you and me He loves us so much its our stupid sin nature thats the problem. Look up Robert Breaker what it means to be born again as well as the Paul Washer one I think those 2 will help you God bless you :)

[@jeffreynorus1520]

Mike Hill Mari Thegoatgod thank you both for sharing your personal struggles and what you are experiencing in your walks with God. I wanted to encourage you both by saying that we are not saved because of any good works we do. Man is sinful and because of that sin we deserve to go to hell and die and face separation from God; that is the just penalty for our sin. BUT the Father loves us so much and He sent His Son Jesus and Jesus loves us so much and He obeyed the Father and He came and lived a perfect life being fully God and fully man. He fulfilled the Law on our behalf and then He went to the cross, and on that cross He bore our sins. Our sins were laid upon Him, and He faced the full wrath of God in our place so that we don't have to, and then He victoriously rose from the grave. When you come to Him, you don't have to do anything to be saved because He's already done it all for you! As it says in Romans 3:21-26 (NLT) "But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. WE ARE MADE RIGHT WITH GOD BY PLACING OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, FREELY makes us right in His sight. HE DID THIS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. FOR GOD PRESENTED JESUS AS THE SACRIFICE FOR SIN. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is fair and just, and He makes simmers right in His sight when they believe in Jesus." We are saved because of Jesus. We can't do anything to save our selves. We can't even believe in Jesus on our own, but we need the Holy Spirit to lead us to belief. John 3:6 (NLT) "Humans can reproduce only human life, but the HOLY SPIRIT GIVES BIRTH TO SPIRITUAL LIFE." With salvation there will come a change in the way we live, but it's important to understand that this change is a result of our salvation and the Holy Spirit working in us and not the source of our salvation. As Scripture says in Romans 4:10-11a (NLT) "But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised! Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted Him and declared him to be righteous - even before he was circumcised." You see the action coming after the faith. In the same way, we will change when we our led to the Lord, but this change is not the source of our salvation, and again it is a result of God working in us. As Jesus says in John 15:5 (NLT) "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." We can only produce fruit and live righteously in Jesus. Without Him, even our "good" deeds are filthy. I encourage you to look to Jesus for your salvation and for the ability to live righteously in Him. I don't want to give the impression that I'm better than anyone or have all the answers either. I've struggled with the very things I just talked about. With doubting my salvation on numerous occasions, with legalism, and with basing my walk with the Lord on feelings and personal works over His finished work, and I still struggle with these things. If any of you ever need to talk about any of this feel free to reach out.

[@user-ek2ms4om7p]

@@jeffreynorus1520 WOW Brother, you just nailed it! You are NEW CREATION in CHRIST! I see the Holy Spirit (God Himself/the Presence of God) in your comment... I hate my life on this cursed and satanic Earth, BUT my security is in the HAND of the ALMIGHTY - John 10 We are in Christ (the Son of God) sealed with the Holy Spirit, according to the will of the Father.... (Ephesians 1) The Holy Trinity already did all, we just wait our new glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15)............ Romans 8:35-39 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God bless you Continually Bro! P.s. Come LORD Jesus!

[@vladdragos501]

PLS READ EVERYTHING You cant love Christ and sin, if you want to give up on sin that means you love God, run to Christ, His Grace saves, ask Him to change you, fight your sin like how Jesus did when He was tempted, keep your mind focused on God, remove anything from your life that causes you to sin, have intimacy with God

[@thehardertheyfall2702]

Ok what about Backsliding and having an addiction tho??? I've had several times to get and be delivered and prayed on the same things how do I know I still have the holy spirit when I want to go back to that addiction sometimes.

[@steinerhayes]

Rachel Martin I'm convinced at this point that no head knowledge is enough to help us overcome our struggles with backsliding sins. I believe we need to clearly and sincerely come to God and ask Him to help us by changing our desire to those of His. We need purity and we need to see sins as the filthy, undesirable vomit that it is. Only God can give us victory here. I don't believe any amount of sermons, teachings or rebuke can change us but God only. I know it's hard but God will give us the victory.

[@steinerhayes]

Rachel Martin I recently had a dream about being attacked and bitten by multiple snakes. I didn't understand what it meant but some days later, God showed me that these were attacks of the enemy on me. That the devil and his demons are trying to stop me from obtaining the sexual purity that God has for me. It was really relieving because I truly was getting upset at how I was giving in to sexual sin. I didn't understand why I would do that in spite of how much I love God and look forward to serving Him. Don't get discouraged. I know it's hard but God is on our side and he will make us victorious in this area.

[@rajhansakima]

Rachel Martin Me and another brother in Christ have a history of certain addictions. Recently, we did an exercise to identify all of the specific "lies" of the addictions (promises of joy, comfort, harmlessness to others, not being an offense to God, etc.) It's worth trying. And for every lie, I promise you, there is a scripture in the Bible to meditate and pray on it. Battling addiction is part renewal of the mind (by being away and washing our minds with the Word of God), part serving others to not be idle, and part striving for holiness and obedience to God in ALL ways. Fasting is another weapon of the Holy Spirit. Grace and Peace, Rachel.

[@RealAustinMartin]

Galatians 2:17-21 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (Galatians 2:17-21, NASB) While seeking to be justified, we will stumble, sin, and "backslide". This does not make Christ a "minister of sin" (license), it only proves ourselves to be in need of a Savior. But you are dead to those things - even if you do not appear dead to sin. You were bought, you were washed, you were sanctified - if you belong to Christ. Paul says: Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5, NASB) Thank God the test is not sinless perfection, or we would all fail. But instead the test is this - does Galatians 2:20 apply to you? Have you been crucified with Christ so that it is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you? Is the life you live your own, or is it lived by faith in Yeshua, Christ Jesus, who loved you and gave Himself up for you? This is the test - is Christ in you? Has He so changed your heart and your affections so that the old way of life now troubles you because of His love? I pray that the answer for you is YES in Christ our Lord. No amount of screwing up will change who you are in Christ - the litmus test is where your heart is and who dwells in it, not how much or for how long you struggle against the same sin. If sin grieves you and wounds you - it is a good indicator that God is at work in you and He will give you victory if you endure and continue to seek His face. The fact that your fight against sin is troubling you so much is an encouraging sign - as the natural man tends not to have those sorts of affections. The real question is whether or not your love for God is genuinely from the Lord or is it a form of self-deception? To put it another way: does your desire to be holy and near to God arise from a heart that loves Him, or is it a means to some other end. No one can answer that for you. Search the Word, and ask God to minister and bear witness to your spirit through His Spirit and His Word, the scripture. From my own experience, I would advise you to ask of God diligently and persistently for victory over sin & self, and for Him to assure you of His indwelling presence in your spirit. He will assure your heart and give you power to overcome the persistent sin in your life. I have found that the roots of persistent sin and the many defeats we experience in our efforts to fight against them usually stem from more than just the sinful deed in itself or an addiction; it is usually rooted in something much deeper - how we understand the Lord and His Word, or in a different, less evident area where we have not fully yielded over to Him. God didn't allow me to have victory against some of my more shameful external sins until I dealt with the more serious internal sins and failures to trust Him. Above all - don't give up. Keep fervent in prayer. The effective prayer of a righteous person can accomplish much - but ask in faith and do not doubt, because there is no reason to doubt that God dearly wants your sanctification and holiness to be revealed for His glory. He will give you what He wants - and He will change your desires to conform with His own. Cling to the cross - and know that whatever suffering you endure for the Lord finds favor and reward. Bank on it. Count on it. It is God who is in you - to work and to will. Trust it. Beware of getting so caught up in measuring your external performance (or watching your feet) that your eyes aren't fixed on Christ. Also remember that you are useful and loved by Him right where you are, even if you are painfully aware of your shortcomings. He simply sees the vessel which He is crafting for His own glory to fill. He is bringing these sins to your attention for your good and His glory. I hope this is helpful. May God be with you and bless you deeply with His own presence. Much love, press on!

[@Izthefaithful]

Hayes Steiner yes that's right just as Paul talked about sin becoming "Exceedingly sinful" at some point the Holy Spirit must come and show us that it's not that things we have done are bad, it's that evil lives within us and like Lazarus we are dead and only Jesus alone can raise us up to new life Faith in him to receive His grace is a gift as much as the grace is....remember Lazarus was dead...dead corpses can't produce faith, the Lord has to give it...... remember the scripture "When we were dead in our trespasses and sin, God made us alive together with Christ"

[@alexmusser7482]

This is a very tough issue, but unforunately Piper's theology is part of the trouble with many people losing assurance. Our assurance is based on whether we believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ as being fully sufficient for our sins. It is not based on our desire/Love for Christ or how much we begin to hate our sin. Those things may come with salvation and certainly should come as we grow with Christ but they shouldn't be used as a barometer to know if we are "truly saved" I get so frusterated listening to teachings that diminsh grace and make our assurance of salvation based on subjective feelings rather than the finished work of Christ. Acts 16:31 - sirs what must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

[@commanderchair]

That verse is totally correct. Belief in Jesus is all someone needs to be justified. I think where you are getting confused is what "believing" means. It seems for you that to believe intellectually that Jesus is God and he died for our sins and raised from the dead that they are saved. I think Piper is trying to define what biblical belief is though. It's more than an intellectual ascension. I can read tons of articles about Obama and know everything about him but do I really know him? I never met the man. I'm not friends with him. I do not think that anyone who comes in contact with the living God that has opened their eyes and changed their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh will just believe in Jesus like they read about him in a history book, but that they would love him from the heart, not the brain. Hope this doesn't feel like i'm attacking you.

[@alexmusser7482]

commanderchair Belief in Christ is simply what it means, you believe or trust(Faith) that Jesus death on the cross was enough for your sins. Belief is of course more than just an intellectual thought, no idea where you got that from my post. My issue is the notion that how we feel towards Christ is how we know we are saved. Its subjective and makes many question their salvation because they feel they are not changed enough or dont show enough works.

[@RealAustinMartin]

James says: "so you believe that our God is One? You do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder." A salvation based on mere assent or head knowledge is a truncated gospel - and it is indeed missing components that Jesus (and His disciples) said were essential. If we lift the simple verses on this matter out of the context of the rest of the scriptures and interpret it only with our weak, modern understanding of the word "belief", we risk watering down the truth. Yes - belief in Jesus is enough, but what is "belief"? The belief spoken of by the New Testament is a far deeper thing than the shallow platitudes we carelessly throw around today. The belief that they spoke of was much more vibrant with clear overtures of loving and treasuring Christ - with a view to the indwelling of Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in our hearts. He IS the life! - and no amount of our own efforts can produce what only He provides. This is why Jesus says "no man can come to Me unless the Father draws him." ... and "this is the TRUE WORK OF GOD, that you believe Him who sent me." ... along with the admonition that warns us that if we do not receive the LOVE of the truth, than we will not be saved. Much more, the first commandment is to LOVE the Lord your God, and it is impossible to please God without faith and love of who He is, even if we fear Him. God is glorified in this as man cannot produce these religious affections on his own - they are spontaneously generated in the heart. To understand what the NT means when it says to Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, we must also look at what that means in Paul's view, and what happened to those who "believed". Was this belief merely the weak word we throw around to describe our confidence in the weather forecast? Or did it look more like Piper's Christian Hedonism? I submit to you that Piper is correct. A non-treasured Christ is a non-saving Christ. We must let scripture interpret scripture, and then we must believe it. If you were correct in your understanding about "believing" vs Piper's theology, these verses would not be in tension with you. But I also affirm what you mean, that your subjective feelings do not govern your salvation; however they are a good indicator of regeneration and therefore the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. For a sprout in the faith who has not yet learned to discern the presence of the Holy Spirit, the religious affections are critical to understand. The love of God isn't some fleeting feeling of warm - fuzziness. It is God given and rock solid. It isn't a passing trend in your emotional health, it should be at the very core of your person. It is God who changes our hearts and causes us to walk in faith, and even gives us the faith we need to call upon Him. This is what Piper is articulating and drawing attention to - the centrality of Christ and the essential truth that unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. To believe in Christ cannot mean a mere head knowledge or assent. This would elevate verses like Romans 10:9 over and against Luke 14:33, and James 2, etc. There are many safeguards in the Bible to keep us from cheapening grace. In no way am I saying that we can add any conditions to salvation; no works, no willing, no striving, and no amount of decisions can save us. Salvation is of the Lord and is nothing less than giving an entirely new life to dead men. And we are dead, with the sentence of death in our mortal bodies, until Christ calls us forth like Lazarus. Much love, press on!

[@alexmusser7482]

Austin Shiloh So in salvation do we believe that God is one? Absolutely not, salvation is about believing in Christ and his death as a substitute for our sins. That is a powerful thing. Its not the same as an intellectual assent lol come on. Also comparing demons to humans in the scheme of salvation is a rather poor argument. Romans 4:5 Faith is not of works. Faith/Belief simply mean trust. The greek word is Pisteuo which means trust. Of course context determines meaning but you are tying to completely change the meaning of the word to somehow make it mean "treasuring" Christ. Secondly, it seems like you make the error of not seperating santification and justification. There is a clear difference between the two. When you smash them together thats when you reap all this confusion over the gospel. Of course as Christians we are called to be holy and should have a love for him but thats not what saves us or even shows us that we are saved. Fruit production is never the measure of if someone has believed. Do you realize how subjective that is? Plus if we are being honest we would admit that we fail that test all the time. Also, your discussion of warnings seems to be based on the premise of loss of salvation or never truly saved. Most warnings are written to christians who are saved, so they cant be about salvation. Your view of warning passages takes the application away from believers and minimizes their impact to help the believer grow. In reality, your theology is truly what cheapens grace and binds the christian to a life of legalism and a loss of assurance in the amazing doctrine of eternal security. Hopefully you see my perspective better, God bless!

[@RealAustinMartin]

I apologize in advance for the weakness of my words - I fear what I have to say could easily come off the wrong way. I say this in love - and not to be factious, so if I offend you with my statement, please know that is not my intention. You are correct that if a person truly believes in Christ - then they will be saved. The question in view is not “What must I do to be saved?” The question in view is “How do I know that I am actually saved?” That is, “How do I know that my belief is not superficial or a self-deception?” or “How do I know that my belief is real and genuine?” The answer to this question does not come down to whether or not a man has professed belief, but whether his profession is genuine and whether his faith is actually saving-faith. Jesus Himself warned of many who will say to Him on the Day of Christ “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and perform many miracles?” We know what the sad answer is. This is the concern in question - NOT how one should be saved. Perhaps this distinction will help clear up any misunderstandings between our comments. My concern (and John Piper’s) is that for many people - the word “believe” has become empty and hollow. Many drunks on the street profess belief in Jesus, but do not act on or live by that “belief”. This is why the words of James are so important. Many people try to distill the whole bible down to a simple decision, an act of human will upon which the whole work of God depends. This is utterly contrary to what the Bible teaches, and is not what the apostles mean when they say “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ”. Salvation is a gift of God; “it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Romans 9) It depends on one being Born Again - which is not something a person can accomplish. We are not Born Again because we believe - we are Born Again in order to believe in the first place. After all, “The mind of the flesh does not comprehend the things of the Spirit, indeed, it is not even able to do so. And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit - IF INDEED THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN YOU.” (Romans 8) The real test of faith is in 2nd Corinthians 13:5 - “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you-unless indeed you fail the test?” This is a result of the new birth and the regenerating act of God - without which we could never possess genuine, saving faith. I agree that believing in the Lord Jesus is much more than intellectual assent, IF the faith is genuine. However there have been (and are) many who profess belief and likely think themselves saved - but in fact are on their way to hell - because “They did not receive the LOVE of the truth so as to be saved.” (2nd Thess. 2:10) God very much cares how we feel about Him. He doesn’t want begrudging servants or sons - His first and foremost command is for us to love Him. Any attempt at obeying God without a genuine LOVE for God is disobedience - as Jesus Himself said that upon this hangs the entire Law and the Prophets. So no - this is not conflating sanctification and justification - it is a non-negotiable, essential feature of saving faith. As John Piper would argue - “a non-treasured Christ is a non-saving Christ”. I also agree that not all of your affections will change at once; many will arise from sanctification over time - but love and desire for God should be the very first (and singularly important) thing to happen. Even if the first confession of Christ arises from a sense of self-preservation to escape hell, that confession is useless and superficial if it is not followed by a genuine love of God in Christ Jesus. That is part of what is meant by faith (or trust). You cannot trust someone you do not love - not really; not in the intimate way that the Bible describes faith in Jesus Christ. Now I need to address another (perhaps far more serious) problem. Are you saying that you do not believe that God is One, or that it is merely not material for salvation? If the former, that is a pretty major problem for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as He Himself claims to be One with God - and God makes it clear in both the Law and the Prophets that He Himself will come and provide salvation - payment for sins in the person of Jesus Christ. Believing that God is one is a foundational truth of the Christian faith - and failure to grasp this could be serious; but if you are saying that this is not the essence of salvation specifically - perhaps you are right. It is still incredibly important, and a failure to understand this may be fatal to a right understanding of God and scripture. Isaiah calls Jesus the Arm of the Lord in no less than 5 chapters - and in Isaiah 9 makes it clear that Jesus may rightly be called the Eternal Father, Wonderful Counselor, and Mighty God. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the exact representation of His nature. He is the incarnation - the embodiment of God Himself. He is not separate from God. While He is fully man, He is also fully God: without separation, division, confusion, or change. He IS God - and God is One. Hear O Israel - The Lord your God is One, and you shall LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. Again - perhaps I mistook your meaning, and if I did - please accept my apologies for the superfluous explanation. I will offer this last bit by way of explanation: I agree and affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone - and that nothing a man can do or feel may justify (or even help to justify) himself before God. I also want to make clear that I agree with the statement that we must believe and trust in the person and complete work of Christ Jesus, and that this is the only way to be saved. However - I fear that you are trying to isolate this very biblical command outside of its context; a man can say he believes and even try to make himself believe in Jesus - but no act of human will and no works (which includes and volitional action or mindset) can produce saving faith. I can tell myself I believe in Jesus - but if I am trusting my decision or my own belief in and for Christ, ultimately I am crediting myself as the final and decisive cause of salvation. That is not the same as actually trusting Christ; it is actually a very subtle deception. With regard to what you said about fruit bearing not being a good barometer of faith - I would offer the words of Jesus as a reply. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:1-2) You can also read 1st John, James, 1st Peter, and any of the Gospels to find hearty agreement within the scriptures. With regard to the new birth - this is what Paul says about the condition of the saved man: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2nd Corinthians 5:17) I would encourage you to search the scripture - and let scripture interpret itself. When the Bible says “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved”, that does not and can not invalidate the rest of the text (including Jesus’ own words) speaking about this matter. Most of that text helps us distinguish the difference between superficial faith (James 2) and saving faith (Romans 4,5,6,7, & 8). All of scripture is inerrant and perfectly true - so we have to reconcile passages that seem to oppose one another; however I have found that upon closer inspection, these “opposing” passages do not contradict each other, but instead complement each other so as to define the boundaries and nuance of what saving faith really is (i.e.: the tension between James and Paul on faith and works). I hope this helps. I am really concerned about your comment that minimizes the fact that our God is One; this is very troubling if that is what you meant, but perhaps I misunderstood what you were trying to say. If there is any confusion about this - I would encourage you to read the Word carefully, especially Isaiah 9 & 50-55, John 1:1-8, & Colossians 1. God is (in fact) One, and this is an essential part of understanding who we worship and why - which is why James uses this central tenant of Christian faith and practice to stun readers and shock them awake to the dangers of superficial “belief”. James sees it as essential - but not saving. Saving faith is so much more and is given to us freely by grace, if we will only accept and love Him. We aren't even really capable of loving God, so thankfully He changes our hearts and makes it possible by making us born again as new creations. May God bless you. Much love, press on.

[@5winder]

Amen!

[@peetos-chan2835]

This anouncer guy sounds like RW Glenn. Miss that pastor.

[@aarontorres5918]

i overthink allot for example i say sorry and ask for forgiveness too god allot more than usual cause sometimes idk if its a sin or not for example if I get a thought of a bad word I say sorry and ask for forgiveness another example recently I was picking blueberries with my mom and I was throwing some of the blueberries towards her and I said something similar to ok that was the last one and then I threw another one so dose that mean i lied and constantly I’m typing in my notes every sin i feel i committed and i like repenting and saying sorry and ask for forgiveness but it gets frustrating when there are allot of things idk are even a sin that I’m saying sorry and asking for forgiveness for so many things and I feel like it’s the devil making me think I’m sinning but then idk if its true conviction of the Holy Spirit and even when I’m praying to god and telling him I’m a sinner i dont even tell him I know I’m a sinner i tell him I believe I’m a sinner because since I get doubts sometimes of his existence even tho I believe really strongly he’s real. I feel if I told him I know he’s real or that I know Im a sinner i over think and feel that telling him I know these thing might be considered as Lying to him because i dont know he’s real I just have a very strong belief and since I feel I just have strong belief he’s real and I don’t know I feel it could be lying to tell him I know I’m a sinner idk if anyone things like this but please someone help

[@krontron7874]

I have the same problem. I also worry that certain things are sins but idk. Like I play my video games for more than an hour and I worry im on them too long, or I say a joke to my mom and worry im lying. I also want to tell God that I love Him, that I love Jesus, but I feel like its lying because I sin a lot, and I feel like if I really loved Him then I would do better. I really feel like I love Him I really do, but I doubt my love for Him so much. You're not alone brother, and don't forget this, that God is patient with you and He knows you're trying, the fact that you dont want to sin and you think about what you do shows that God is working in you and that you have a love for Him. Dont give up and keep praying to God, keep seeking Him, ask people to pray for you, and have faith in God. I will pray for you brother, please do the same for me if you see this ik its kind of late. But its ok if u don't or forget to God bless you

[@AL-ri6bk]

Didn’t really get what I was looking for but thanks

[@jorgeabatocab]

Amen

[@karenallen3997]

Hi I'm also in one of those situations where I lost my Abba Father I lost my and just a in the last 20 years the even so come Lord Jesus and I would say but not yet because there's a lot of people that I want to lead to the Lord can you imagine I can't do not only that I've heard a lot of voices outside of my head telling me to curse God and crazy things like that and I'm wondering if I should believe it or if I should say it's not God and just might get my message from the Bible some of the Bible and the holy Spirit which I'm not in touch with right now I think that we grieve the holy Spirit by doubting him I believe people like me that keeps doubting salvation down in salvation I think that grieves holy Spirit

[@JuicyRambo]

never failed to sound frothy

[@raymondmelanson5757]

Of course every Christian deals with the problem of assurance whether we are saved or not. Because the word Christian simply means a follower of Christ and the word disciple simply means a learner, pupil student! So the problem with assurance with all of this is simply you are not saved and deceived yourselves by believing and putting your trust on man, pastors, preachers or teachers instead of going alone in prayer and the Word. The true Church as always been in the Spiritual and not in a congregations of flesh bodied people!!! The churches today and for past generations and centuries in the flesh bodies is not the true Church but apostate churches all over the world except a very and don't have any idea of this!!! I'm not here to preach. There's enough preaching of the Word from so many apostate believers pastors, preachers and teachers! It does not matter who spreads the gospels! Someone may be ready to hear it and do like I did. I went alone with the Word and prayed directly to our Father in heaven in repentance with a broken and contrite heart and He answered me!!!

[@Kittensarevicious]

Please read this very closely. You will NEVER have 100% assurance of your salvation if you believe John Piper’s message. He preaches that assurance comes from looking at the subjective (the Holy Spirit’s work in your life), instead of correctly preaching that assurance comes from looking at the objective (Christ’s perfect obedience and finished work on the cross). You will always have reason to doubt your salvation if you look to the fruit of the Spirit in your life. And for those of you who claim to have assurance yet still believe Piper’s false doctrine, congratulations, because you have assurance that the great Puritans didn’t have on their deathbeds. Mic drop

[@JonathanGrandt]

The long and short of it is that Piper is saying we have assurance by our works. This is some of the worst advice ever.

[@mikem4883]

Jonathan Grandt by their fruit, ye shall know them.

[@adamsmalelover835]

@@mikem4883 There are many “good people” that don’t believe in God.

[@bjornegan6421]

@@adamsmalelover835 only if by '"good people"' you mean people who are not good.

[@AnHebrewChild]

"By this we know if we know him if we keep his commandments. He that saith he knows him and keeps not his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him." 1 John 3

[@richiehaire9103]

Truly Believe With all of your Hart and Soul In the Death Bareal and Reaction of Jesus Sorry i don't spell good

[@reynaldodavid2913Jo]

Pastor John, How will you know that you are lead by the Spirit when Jeremiah 17:9 says: ''The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?''=>>> Especially when you are teaching a wrong doctrine.... If your heart cannot discern that you are teaching a wrong doctrine, How can your heart know that your led by the Spirit of God? For example if you are teaching the doctrine that God has three persons... Or you are teaching that a man is totally depraved that he cannot answer the call of God and believe in Jesus unless he is regenerated first... These teachings are not biblical but contrary to the words of God....

[@AnHebrewChild]

It's as easy as 1-2-3 1 John 2:3

[@reynaldodavid2913Jo]

@@AnHebrewChild, Please explain, Thanks, it's stupid to mention what verse is your answer without explaining it, and the verse is not even the answer to the question...

[@leechandler3411]

Is it too late for me?

[@Dudz32]

I belive ime saved but feel like god hates me. That causes me to lack in prayer an in bibke readying an feeling love. Although I believe the true gospel there is something telling me I’m not accepted by god an he hates me

[@JesusGaveMeNewSoul]

The sins you have not repented from is 'thinking you have the Spirit of Christ" -- Unless people ask for the Spirit of Jesus UNTIL HE COMES... no more sinning AT ALL... Jesus will come to judge you with FIRE... after that Jesus comes into your flesh head to toe marriage of the Lamb!! When Jesus comes into your body you will FEEL POWER upon you.. Jesus said "You will feel power...." People need to believe in Jesus -- this is through the Holy Spirit indwelling. AFTER THAT you pray for Jesus to come! We pray and pray and pray until Jesus comes! Jesus come! Jesus must Come! He will show Himself to you when He comes just as He said in John 14:21. IF JESUS HAS not come to you face to face then you are self deceived. If Jesus has not manifest into your mind with power and unless you feel Jesus in your mind with power -- the literal Spirit of Jesus in your mind and body... then you are not saved. Jesus comes!!!!!!!!!!!!! COME LORD JESUS COME!!!!!! WHEN JESUS COMES YOU WILL BE LIFTED UP IN RAPTURE TO THE AIR IN JESUS CHRIST ! I thought I was saved by water baptism but I was NOT SAVED.. I was deceived. STOP ALL SINS CRYING OUT FERVENTLY WITH TEARS FOR JESUS TO COME AND DONT STOP! Jesus cried with fervent tears it says in the bible on his time on earth. Jesus will flood your entire body and you will FEEL HIS POWER in every molecule of your being... and He will show Himself to you -- that is when you are saved ONLY THEN! THE DAY JESUS APPEARED TO ME FROM HEAVEN: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoqTfIt4q854fLc

[@conneraldeqn9751]

Believe on me and thou shalt be saved How do you explain that If you believe with your heart and confess with your mouth you will be saved "Feeling the holy spirit inside you" doesn't get you to heaven it is simply faith and grace through Jesus

[@conneraldeqn9751]

Also we are not perfect. And you said no more sinning at all. You are pretty much saying heaven comes from good works

[@ronkebarber6238]

The Holy Spirit, if He is in you, will bear witness to you Romans 8:1-16. You don't have Him you don't have either God or Jesus Christ.

[@mikeswaney4917]

Griieve not the Holy Spirit in whom you're sealed till day of redemption- no one is saved till day of the Lord when King removes chaff like HIRELINGS who know not Good Shepard nor hear his voice soon abandoning sheep incomfy ditch AT BEMA SEAT TALENT SHOW FOR KING

[@ih8lies339]

John Piper is not saved!

[@joshuaharris243]

And how is that ?

[@ih8lies339]

@@joshuaharris243 Calvanism is not at all true.Gods word is true.Calvanists cannot be saved.Its mpossible for them in what they believe.It is a doctrine of devils.

[@marcusburnett7225]

Absurd!

[@justelder6192]

Bwaaahahahaha😂😂😂 "How important is it that we are Children of God?" Answer: "It is VERY important..." Bro... we are NOT Children of God. God does not give BIRTH to His Children.. God Begets His Children bro.... That means a few things. When you are Begotten you are: Immortal All Knowing All Wise Spirit In short Perfect. As a Begotten you have: 1 Parent No Blood Dominion(Kingdom) A Devine Number or Name. its very different from us Humans. We are Born, and we are: Mortals Ignorant Innocent Body and Spirit We have: 2 Parents We Bleed have no dominion We ARE Unauthorised Births. Let alone that we could have a Name or Number. We are not related to Adam and Eve.. We ARE related to the Tree IN the Garden OF Adam and Eve.. We are not even related to the Serpent.. The Race that is related to the Serpent are The Egyptian Gods like Toth, Hermes, Horus.. We are not related to any Proohet or Messiah that is in The Bible.. The ONLY one we are Related to is The Son of Man of Revelation. And only because he is a Human Beeing, is the reason WHY we are related with him.. He Is our Example He Is Son of Man His Number is 369 His Name is Echo

[@LitoLochoss]

Blasphemy