Are You Really Saved
Kenneth Cunningham, Waldorf, MD
Catagory: Volume 2, Issue 11 and 12
Many people take for granted the prayer of salvation.
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, Romans 10: 9-10 (NIV).
It seems some Christians confess this with their mouths, but do not really believe in their hearts. If they did, why do so many still drink alcohol, go to clubs to party, smoke cigarettes, etc. They say they are saved because they have said the prayer of salvation, and think they can continue to do worldly things. It takes more than just the words. It takes action on the part of the person. It takes an attitude change.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Romans 12: 2 (NIV).
An attitude change start with the mind. Once you make up your mind, you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthen you. Once attitudes are changed, Christians will no longer want to do worldly things. They become dedicated to the Lord, doing His work and walking with Him.
Once the heart changes, then the mind will also change. Once your mind changes, your purpose in life will become clear.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Psalm 19:14 (NIV).
David knew God and knew that God was awesome, all powerful, and Almighty. He respected the very essence of God. He also knew God looked at the heart of each person. Most importantly, he knew God examined every word from your mouth and what was really in your heart. We can fool a lot of people by our actions, i.e. jumping and shouting and praising the Lord on Sundays, but we cannot fool God. He knows everything about us.
There are still those who believe they can get into heaven by confessing the words and doing worldly things. However, the Word of God says:
Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say on that day (day of judgement), Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and performed many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers, Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV).
We are, in fact, in the world, but we must know we are not of the world. We cannot continue to do the things we used to do. We are new creatures in Christ. We have been purchased through the shed Blood of Jesus.
Jesus was telling the people that they sounded religious, i.e., they attended church every Sunday and did good things, but they did not have a personal relationship with Him. If you have a personal relationship with Jesus, you would not sin against His Body. You know His law and commandments, but you do not obey them.
Being saved is more than a few words. It is a total commitment to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I pray my brothers and sisters that you will change you attitude and really dedicate yourselves to God. It may not be easy at first. Not everything happens overnight, but after a while, it becomes part of your daily life. It becomes you and you become the Living, Talking Word of God. Remember that God is Life and, without Him, we are nothing and can do nothing.
