Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 10/29/2011

Question
QUESTION: My story is somewhat complicated, so please forgive me if this is long.  I was born into a 'Christian' family. Meaning, I always knew there was a God, but it was not something we practiced in my home. I went to a Christian school for most of my early life. I remember being baptized as a child, I have been told that I was saved, but I have no memory of this. When I joined my church two years ago, they asked me if I was saved. I said yes, because all of my life I have lived with the idea that I was saved as a child. I was baptized again in my church. But, since then I have debated if I was truly saved? So, on my own I have said several prayers asking God to save me. But, still this doubt lingers. I have not lived my life for God the way I should. Each time I said the prayer, I did not put my all into living for God. In fact, until the message my pastor gave this past Sunday, I don't think I fully understood what being saved really meant. I have been told that since I said the prayer and asked God to save me, that I am saved. But, I have doubt in this because I feel as though I did not really mean it. At the time, I guess I thought I did, but in all reality, I did it more because I thought I should, not because I truly knew what I was asking for. Now, I sit at a place that is miserable. I don't know if I am saved, and honestly, I feel that I am not. But, I have been baptized, so I am not sure how that plays into everything. My question is this... Should I say the prayer to be saved again? If so, and I really mean it, will this make me saved? Then, if I start living my life for God, and doing all things to please him, can I then consider myself saved? Also, if I say the prayer again, mean it with all of my heart, start living for God, will I need to be baptized again? Can you be baptized before you are truly saved? Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I just want to be saved, I want to give my life to God, I want to live for him and do all things by him and through him, but I am not sure how to get this process started. Please help me.. Thank you!

ANSWER: Dear Christine,
   Thank you so much for writing.  I am honored to know your desire to live for God.
   I believe it is this willingness to live through Him that is the saving faith that starts the process.  Nothing we do can save us, but believing that He can save us and change us to live for Him, means we are throwing ourself on His mercy and grace to bring us to God, now and forever.  
   I think there are people who "believe" but think they can manage their life ok themselves. Matt.7:21-23?  I rather doubt a person is saved who only wants saved from the CONSEQUENCES of sin, rather than wanting God to change him/her to be more like Him.  When we want to fulfill our created purpose of reflecting God's image, not our own image, (Gen.1:26) God can provide the Way for that, through Jesus Christ as our Lord. Romans 6:23
       As you mentioned, possibly in the past you believed (had a saving faith), as much as you were capable of at the time.  Since only God knows our hearts, He may be the only One to know for certain when we passed from death to life, darkness to light.  But being in the light has the consequences that we continually "see" different things in our life that God is pointing out for us to surrender to Him to make room for His perfect plan.  Saving faith continues to trust God's leading in the different circumstances we face day by day.  It is a growing relationship where Jesus can say He KNOWS us, not "I never knew you" Matt.7:23.
   Ask God if He would want you to be baptized again.  If it would be a testimony that you realize now what it means to "die" to yourself, be buried with Christ (going under the water) then being raised with Him (coming out of the water) to a new life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, then perhaps He would want you to do that.  Read Romans 6 and Galatians 2:20 and see if the Lord is prompting you to do this or not.
   I really like II Cor. 3:18, how it reminds us to be open toward God, keeping our focus on Him, and He will change us step by step by the power of the Holy Spirit.
   Another chapter that really helps our growth as Christians is John 6.  Our daily Bread, spiritual sustenance, comes from believing Him daily (verse 29) not just when we were "saved."  We need daily spiritual food from God's Word (verse 63) even if our reliance on God offends some "disciples." (verses 61-66)  
   Reading the Bible daily is still an adventure, even though I've read it through many times.  Each word, each name, what's there and what isn't there, all have significance.  It reminds me that I am a nobody, but God notices me and takes time to make my life count for something.  I pray that you and I both will continue to bring glory to God.
   Priscilla


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response. I will read the verses you provided to try obtain more understanding.

At this point, if I am unsure of my salvation, should I pray the salvation prayer again. You mention that only God may truly know if we are saved. So, how would I know if I am saved? Are you saying if a person ask God to come into their heart, only to avoid hell, and not to change them, they are NOT saved?

I ask this because I think everyone want to be saved in part to avoid hell. Is that a bad thing? I think the other part for me is that I want to be a better person. But, I still struggle with my motives at time. Sometimes I do fear hell, and this more then a lot of things makes me want to be saved. Other times, I want to have the peace and relationship with God that I see others have with him.

Right now, I stand in a confused place. I wonder what to do to ensure my salvation. Would it hurt for me to ask God to save me again? Do I need a witness if i do this? Is there a prayer your can reccommend to me to gain salvaation? Also, if you read a prayer, rather then saying your own with your eyes closed, are you still praying, or is that just reading?

I just want to be saved, but I am lost on the path of how to get there. Any advice you can give, would be wonderful! Thank  you again for your help!

Answer
Dear Christine,
   Thanks for writing back.  I mentioned that only God may know WHEN you got saved, but you CAN know IF you are saved or not.  
   I John 5:13 says "These things have I WRITTEN unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God."  Reading the written Word of God is the way to KNOW you are saved.  The Bible doesn't save you but as you read it, the Holy Spirit will guide you to the truth of your salvation.  Read the 16th chapter of John and see how it ends with "these things I have SPOKEN (words) unto you, that IN ME you might have peace."
   You want to be "in Jesus" and live for Him, right?  So the Bible says you can have peace and a relationship with Him.  It's not any special prayer, or if you close your eyes, or baptism, or anything else you can do.  God provided the complete, perfect salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We can only receive His gift by believing Him.  
   We believe Him when He warns us about hell and we're right to fear.  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" Proverbs 1:7
   We believe Him when He promises to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John1:9
   We believe Him when He says He will give us His peace. John 14:27
   We believe Him when He says the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
   You're right about motives being important.  Only Jesus was perfect in His motives and actions, so only through Him can we enter a perfect Heaven.  When we realize our NEED for perfection that we don't have, and ask Jesus to live in us, then Jesus replaces our sin with His perfection.
   You can't know if someone else is relying on the perfection of Jesus or relying on their own goodness, but you CAN know if you yourself are relying on Jesus and believe His promise of eternal life.   
   When Jesus comes to live in us, He never leaves us. Hebrews 13:5  I can't judge if He is in your life or not, but you can know He's there.  Romans 8:15-16 "You have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
   Keep reading the Bible.  "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105  Instead of being "lost" on the path to salvation, you'll have His Light for assurance of His salvation and for guidance of how to walk (live).
   I hope you write back some day and let me know how you are doing in the future, and if you've been able to help someone else have the joy of salvation also. Habakkuk 3:18
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla