Christ Carrying the Cross,
by El Greco, 1580.
If you have not read part one or do not remember it, I would suggest you read it here.
If we are saved…things will happen. There is no maybe in this, things will happen it is only a matter of time. Those around us will see us as different people. Even those who refuse to believe in God…will see a difference in how we act and live our lives once we have accepted Jesus. I myself was an alcoholic and a smoker. I had tried to quit smoking many times, but had no interest in stopping drinking. Then I met up with Jesus. I accepted Him as Lord and Savior and in time through His grace and mercy…He took away from me my desire to drink, and the desire to smoke. Just like that…I was done drinking. I was drinking as usual one day…and was completely done with that the next. Same with smoking…I still had to fight a desire to smoke, but the intense craving for a cigarette was gone. Church itself is another one. Many people who go to church view it as a duty, something that we are supposed to do maybe even to “fit in”. Knowledge of God and church attendance does not mean one is saved. When we are saved however…church is no longer a duty, it is something we look forward to and enjoy. This time spent worshipping our Lord and thanking Him for saving us is special. And this does not stop at church it carries through into our daily lives as well.
A genuine desire to spend time in God’s word (the bible) is another indication. Reading and studying His word and enjoying doing so is another effect of belonging to God. The exception to this is someone who is trying to prove that God is not real. Lee Strobel was one of these people. He is now a staunch believer in Jesus. His books are awesome! Another facet of the person who is saved is time spent in prayer. Time spent praying each day…especially for others.
How about a desire to please God? When we desire to live the way He wants us to, and pleasing Him is important to us…that is a strong indication of genuine salvation. This is what Jesus being Lord in our lives is all about…He is in charge of our lives, not us.
We will live forever with God after we pass from this life…and it is a free gift from God to us! John 5:24 I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. This means that after our bodies die…we will be raised up again (as Christ was) at the end of all things, and will live forever with the Lord if we are saved. John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” We will still meet Christ in the end if we do not know Him as Lord…but what happens to those who do not know Him will not be good.
Believe…and you will be saved. Don’t wait, do it today. Pray to God and He will hear you. A simple prayer is all you need to do. Lord I know I am a sinner. I am sorry for my sins and I ask for your forgiveness for my sins. I believe Jesus died upon the cross for my sins, and that God the Father raised Him back to life. If you prayed this and believe it, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
