KCU/04/SMERD

Topic 14: How can we be sure we’re saved?

Question: Based on what you know from the Bible & other sources (including the Theology Matters reading), what are the ways we can be sure that we’re saved? (Be sure to do more research into the issue. If the group cannot come to a consensus, feel free to have different group members each express their own opinions.)

Scott Durbin's contribution: Thirteen Lessons in Christian Doctrine Denver Sizemore Faith

Essential in order to receive all of God’s blessings

Secures salvation for man

Acts 15:9 “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith”

Acts 10:43 “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name”

Faith pleases God

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”

Faith brings peace to the heart of the Christian

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me”

Matthew 6:25-34 “…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well…” Lifts our minds and vision to see as God sees and to think God’s thoughts after Him

Ely V. Zollars states, “by the eye of faith, we can lay hold of that which we have never seen, and can never see with the eye of the sense, and thus dwell amidst the beauties that never fade.”

Christianity, Cults and Religions

Rose Publishing—chart

How to be saved

“Salvation is by God’s grace, not by an individual’s good works. Salvation must be received by faith. People must believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again, which is the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection of the body. This is God’s loving plan to forgive sinful people.

First Draft Stuff

     It has always been said that there is only one truly important goal in all of life, but what is it?  One way to get a great variety of people's goals would be to travel to New York City.  Within this incredibly busy metropolis one can see an unlimited supply of goals that each person has.  In the hustle and bustle of the market in Union Square, a goal of buying and selling good, clean food is seen.  Isn't there a goal of making some money on the side as well?  Of course there is.  But what about the business men and women that work on Wall Street?  They're there for making money too aren't they?  Yes, they obviously are, but this is their only goal.  The vendors in Union Square, yes, are trying to make money, but they are also providing a service for the people of the city.  They are doing more than making money, they are helping the city and the people within it get healthy food.  The goal of trying to make money is not bad in and of itself, but, when it is the only goal in a person's thoughts, it will become an obsession.  Many people within these great United States would say that this is a good goal to have, but this is not true.  Money will only last so long before its no longer of any use to you.  This inevitable stage of life is called death.  This brings up another question; what happens at death?  Well money, possessions, friends, or even your family can't be taken along, so what happens?  Do the body and soul go somewhere else?  And if they do, then how do we know we're saved?  This is a very important question that each person in the world must answer for him or herself.  This is the most important goal in life, not the search for money and possessions.