If I told you that at the end of this year I would give you one million dollars and all you had to do to receive this gift is trust me. Would you believe me, would you trust that I’m going to do what I said I would do. Probably not, you would probably think I was trying to trick you in some way or that I’m some kind of a nut. You have no proof that I have a million dollars and if I did you think, why would I give it to you. But what if I told you I will give you one million dollars at the end of the year and all you have to do is trust me but I then hand you one hundred thousand as assurance that I would do what I said. Would you believe me then, my guess is yes you would because I have given you reassurance that I have money and I am willing to give it to you.
God has promised that all who repent (turn away from sin) and put their trust in is only son Jesus Christ will receive eternal life. He has also given us assurance by giving all who trust in Christ his Holy Spirit. Just as in my one million dollar example God has given us proof that he means what he says. If you have received the Holy Spirit, it is assurance from God that you are saved from judgment. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ~Romans 8:1-2”
Have you received the Spirit of God? There are many indicators in the Word of God that reveal if you have received His Spirit or not. What dominates your thoughts? Romans 8:5 says “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” What is the fruit you produce daily in your life? Jesus Said: “A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. ~Matthew 7:17” He went on to say: “Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. ~Matthew 7:20” So what is bad fruit? “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. ~Galatians 5:19-21” So what is good fruit? “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patients, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! ~Galatians 5:22-23.
The Bible makes it very clear that everyone who is lead by their sinful nature is under judgment from God and will go to Hell. “Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people-none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.” ~1 Corinthians 6:9-10. “all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” ~Revelation 21:8. How horrible can you imagine burning for all eternity in Hell?
So you may ask what must I do to be saved? In both the gospels of Matthew and Mark Jesus began His ministry with these words: “Repent of your sins and turn to God for the kingdom of Heaven is near.” ~Matthew 4:17. After rising from the grave and defeating death before ascending to Heaven He concluded his earthly ministry with these words: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.” So how are we to be saved? The Bible tells us in Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30-31, Acts 20:21 this message. Repent of your sins (that is stop sinning) and put your faith in Jesus Christ, no longer trust in your own goodness but trust in the goodness of Christ to save you on the day of judgment. For God said “I will judge the world with justice.” I hope you will trust in Christ today, if you do that you will move from death to life and you will receive the promised Holy Spirit of God. You will become a new creature. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ~2Corithians 5:17.
