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Are They Saved?
John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Are they saved? They are not true believers! I don't think they are born again! They couldn't be Christians and act that way. The preceding are statements that I have often heard and, to my dismay, said. They are questions that are regularly asked. However, there is an inherent problem with asking such questions about others. For once we determine that it is our calling to determine who is saved, then we must create the criteria for another's salvation, and then judge them by our understanding. It is a heavy responsibility best left in the hands of God. Throughout Church history the speculation over who is saved and who is not has led men to make incredible lists of qualifiers, including such things as dress, creeds, "spiritual" activities, hairstyles, attendance, language, and the day of the week on which worship is conducted. Every believer must decide where to draw the line between who is saved and who isn't. According to my own personal experience and perspective, I have decided where that line is. I ask a simple question, "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" If the answer is affirmative I move ahead to acknowledge the person as a brother or sister in Christ, no matter what his or her apparent condition. I have had experience with believers who would not measure up to any qualifier on any list, but as I spoke to them as believers, they began to move as believers, and soon were expressing Christ naturally. Often I will meet someone whose spouse has for years said that the person can't be a believer because of certain behaviors. I have even had some say to me, "Well, I used to think I was a Christian, but my mate assures me I am not!" What a thing to say. How could anyone hope to satisfy when he has been told he is one big disappointment. If you have accepted Christ into your life, He became your life, you are saved, and we need merely look at the obstacles that are hindering the expression of that life. Ó
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