Every day pray that everyone you know will either become a Christian or influence others to become a Christian, and please share this online book with others - www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
Worship music - Please click the links and sing along if you know the words (You can also click skip ad to go straight to the songs) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIEEz9yaukA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3TpEeIgAM8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYaz9yWLEWg
Election 6
My copy and paste feature doesn't keep the words that are supposed to be italicized, so instead of me doing it manually, refer to a Bible to see which
words are italicized.
John 12:37-46
37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. 41These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
42Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. 45And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. 46I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
In continuation of the previous five week's messages, some people may claim that since God chooses certain people to be Christians, we shouldn't pay attention to verses that help us know if we have really become Christians after we have prayed or made decisions to do so.
That isn't the attitude God has, because He wants professing Christians to know if they are chosen by Him to be Christians -
First Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation (This is referring to people who are chosen by God to be Christians.), a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." In other words, you are saved so you can show the praises (character traits) of Jesus. As a result, this will make God look good/cause people to think good about God, and people will want to become Christians.
The book that is referenced if the following passage is the pdf file at the bottom of www.areyousureyouaresaved.com
These character traits are listed in 2 Peter 1:3–11, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature (have Jesus’ character traits), having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence (Try your best to understand what these character traits mean, then try your best, with God’s help, to “do” what these character traits mean.) add (Each time you develop a character trait, you will be able to develop the next character trait listed.) to your faith virtue (You should fulfill your purpose in life by making God look good in front of others by following Jesus (living a lifestyle similar to the one explained in chapter 39 of this book), and that will make people think good about God and make them interested in becoming Christians. You should live a pure life and not continually sin on purpose like non-believers. Your thoughts, speech, and the way you spend your time should be different (see chapter 39 of this book); and to virtue knowledge (You should study the Bible and be taught the Bible, and as a result, you will learn what sinful things to avoid and how to follow Jesus.); And to knowledge temperance (You should be able to control yourself. Anger, lust (imagining or wanting to do sexual acts with someone other than the person you are married to - Matthew 5:27-30, Colossians 3:5), entertainment that doesn’t involve God (see chapter 23 of this book), or over eating, etc. should definitely be avoided. Instead of things like these taking over your time, thoughts, and energy, you should spend your time, thoughts, and energy following Jesus (living a lifestyle similar to the one explained in chapter 39 of this book).); and to temperance patience (You should have the ability to not give up following Jesus when things in life and people are difficult. You also shouldn’t get back at people who did you wrong. Patience is also seen in every day examples like not getting mad or flustered while waiting on someone because you are ready to go somewhere.); and to patience godliness (You should display temperance, patience, try to do what God wants you to do as you care for the needs of others, fear or worship God and try not to break His commandments, do the right things - even if it leads to physical, mental, and financial suffering and trials; and follow Jesus(live a lifestyle similar to the one explained in chapter 39 of this book).); And to godliness brotherly kindness (If you come across someone with a physical, financial (If it’s an expensive need, ask the church that you support or have supported financially with your offerings or other donations to help with the costs. The apostle Paul took up collections for expensive needs.), emotional, mental, or spiritual need, you should do what you can to help meet those needs. This also means that you will look for ways to do good things for people who treated you wrong.); and to brotherly kindness charity (You should gladly give (if there’s a logical reason to do so) to someone and not expect for that person to pay you back or return what you allowed them to borrow. This also means that you should put people's needs that you come across (mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial) above your needs, and be willing to die in order to protect or help someone who is different from you or even your enemy.) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
If you work hard to develop these character traits, with the help God has promised to provide, you will gradually become more and more "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29). If you try really hard to have these character traits and are able to produce these character traits more and more over time, you will have a way to have assurance of your salvation (2 Peter 1:8–11).
If you have never prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven
If you have prayed or made a decision to become a Christian, but you are not sure you are really a Christian (Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 21:18-22, 1 John 5:14, and Hebrews 11:1), please follow this website - http://chriswaug5.wix.com/howtogotoheaven