The Door-Step Evangel

True Salvation
Dr. D. Curtis Martin

Many years ago I heard a Baptist preacher say, "The longer I'm in the ministry the more I am convinced that our churches have a large number of unsaved members in them." The older I get the more I tend to agree with him. Unfortunately there are many people who have a false sense of salvation because they "prayed a prayer." I have not found any verse in the Bible that says, "prayers save souls." Prayers do not save - Jesus saves! It is true that "confession is made with the mouth," but salvation does not take place until you "...believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead..." then, and only then, will you "be saved." The Bible says that we are to "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." not repeat some prayer. Dear reader, have you ever taken the time to examine your salvation to see if you truly have "Biblical salvation?"

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5).

But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. (Galatians 6:4).

But let a man examine himself (1Corinthans 11:28).

With an open heart and mind ask God to turn his search light on your inner-most being. Then pray as David did in Psalms 139:23, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Then ask yourself the following questions:

1. Was there a time when you honestly realized you were a sinner and admitted this to yourself and to God (Lu. 18:13)? 2. Was there a time when your heart stirred you to flee the wrath to come (Lu. 13:3; John 8:21-24)?

3. Have you ever seriously been sorrowful over your sin (2 Co. 7:10)?

4. Do you truly understand the Gospel that Christ died and rose again for your sins (1 Co. 15:1-4)?

5. Do you understand and confess that you cannot save yourself (Eph. 2:8-9)?

6. Did you sincerely repent of your sins to turn from them, or do you secretly love and enjoy sin (Mark 1:15; 6:12; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31; 2 Co. 5:17)?

7. Have you trusted in Christ, and Christ alone, for your salvation (John 14:6; Acts 4:10-12)?

8. Do you enjoy a living relationship with him through the Word and in the Spirit (1 John 1:3)?

9. Has there been a change in your life (2 Cor. 5:17)?

10. Do you maintain good works, (Eph. 2:10)?

11. Do you seek to grow in the things of the Lord (1 Pe. 2:2; 2 Pe. 3:18)?

12. Can others tell that you've been with Jesus (Acts 4:13)?

13. Do you have a desire to share Christ with others; or are you ashamed of Him (Romans 1:16, Mark 8:38)?

14. Do you enjoy the fellowship of God's people? Is worship a delight to you (Ps. 119:63; 1 John 1:7)?

15. Are you ready for the Lords return; or will you be ashamed at His coming (2 Pe. 3:11-14; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)?

Examination should accomplish one of these two actions; first of all, if you have never truly been born-again, praise the Lord there is still time to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your saviour right now. For it will be too late after you die, as your eternal destiny will be sealed. Secondly, if you are saved, it should give you a more burning desire to want to tell others of this wonderful "free" gift of eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ.