Prayer Journal
Wednesday, August 9, 2000
"Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory." Eph 1:13,14
I had a friend who died a few years ago. My friend professed Christianity but believed the Holy Spirit "in him" came and went according to the degree of his obedience and sin. He was so afraid that he would die while in an "unconfessed" state that he took medicine for his emotional distress.
I believe I will see my friend again in glory, but I'm no judge. Only God knows those who are His. Each person must determine if they "belong" to God. The Bible states that God marked us when we first believed, but that doesn't always stop us from questioning whether we're secure in our salvation.
If you're wondering about your eternal security, take this simple test; Does your life show any sign of God's work in your life? Do these three things define you?
- You have a love for the Bible, the Church, and God's people?
- You desire to please God?
- You have conviction for sin? (Knowledge that you've done something to displease God)
If you can't identify with these three things, you should not feel secure. If you call yourself a Christian but can't see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, you deceive yourself. God knows those who are His. God marks them with His Spirit and calls them, the "Church".
1 Thes 4:13-18 says that Jesus is coming soon in the clouds to get His Church. Is your heart stamped with the mark of God - His Holy Spirit? When Jesus comes, He'll not look for Christians, Rather, he'll look for the Holy Spirit and have a grand reunion in the sky. Those He has stamped will just go along for the ride. And what a ride! (Cp: 1 Cor 15:50-57)
Are you ready? Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
