HI! Today we’re discussing evidence number 5 of 5. All Scripture is from the ESV Bible unless indicated. All italics within Scripture is mine.
E. What takes place after/because of salvation? What are the evidences of salvation?
5). Witness. Romans 10 tells us that people can’t call on Christ if they don’t believe, and they can’t believe if they haven’t heard about Him, and they can’t hear about Him if there is no one there to preach the gospel, for “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (verses 14,17). Christians are to be the vehicle of God’s Word and the Gospel. “ ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’ ” (Acts 1:8). We have been commanded of this, the Great Commission, by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. It says to teach and baptize, and we do not have to be afraid, for God is with us. People need to be told the Good News of Jesus Christ. Now. There is no second chance, for we die only one time and then face judgment (Heb. 9:27).
You also need to be a witness with your life in the way you live, and it starts in your home. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tm. 4:16). Only God saves, but Christians are God’s instruments to proclaim the news of Jesus, the only way to salvation. God doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us to further His kingdom with our witness of Him. People notice how you live. If you are exhibiting characteristics of Christ as you should and enduring hardships with joy and without complaint, they will wonder what is different about you, and they may want it. You should make sure to study and apply the Word so you can answer their questions accurately and share the Gospel. You must be prepared in any situation to speak the Word, to defend it, and to correct others (2 Tm. 4:2). Paul went further than that when he said, “… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). They were weak, he became weak; those who didn’t have the law, he became like one who didn’t have the law. Paul accommodated himself to the cultures of those he witnessed to (Jews and Gentiles) without compromising his allegiance or obedience to Christ (for example, he wouldn’t eat the meat of a sacrifice, even though he was free to do so as a Christian). He did it all to save or lead to salvation maybe just one. When only one is saved the angels rejoice.
I love Jude 22-23: “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” You need to convince the doubters of the truth, and you must attempt to rescue them from the verge of destruction. That should be a goal and a desire. You are to show mercy mixed with fear. Why fear? Because even while showing mercy, you can be trapped with the allurement of sin, so it is also important that you continue to pray, for God is always with you and will not allow any temptation bigger than what you can bear. You as individuals, and you as the body of Christ, must do everything you can to bring salvation to people. You have to be witnesses in as well as out of church. Remember, there are unsaved of all ages in the church building, so you as Christians, even if you aren’t actual teachers, must teach and you must teach the Word of God, the truth…with your words and actions.
It is imperative, it is literally a matter of life or death, that we Christians live a Christian life and share the gospel of Christ and save as many people from hell as we can. Charles Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms around their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” We have to do all we can and never give up. We can’t stop teaching about Jesus; we can’t stop warning about the Devil. Satan is real! And he sure is alive and well in this ever increasingly tolerant world. We need to stand and be strong! Teach the word. Share the gospel.
Next time we’ll begin the last section in this study (already!), “Assurance of the Believer.” I love this part! Have a great day.
Niki Ƹ>Ï<Ʒ
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