Most people are curious about others: where they are from, what they do, who they are related to and what is their fame. Most people who claim Jesus as Savior and believe there is a Hell to avoid and a solution to embrace, eventually ask others about their relationship with Jesus. They come to ask questions like: Are you saved? Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Jesus?
And to a question that probes a person’s faith, come any number of answers or responses such as: I was baptized. I accepted Jesus in third grade. I have always believed. I read my Bible. I’m active in my church. I believe Jesus died for me. I have accepted Jesus. I teach the Bible. I had a life altering experience. I went forward. I prayed or I pray.
While those answers seem good, there are far too many who give such an answer whose lives don’t look or seem truly transformed by a saving faith in Jesus. There are many churches, even good churches, who live and talk very much like the world.
There are likely many in good churches who will experience this scene told by Jesus: When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ Luke 13:25.
And those people will protest saying: ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ Luke 13:26. Wait! We took communion, we fellowshipped in a good church and we sat under good Bible teaching! He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, Luke 13:27-28.
The Bible often talks about salvation in a present tense – about salvation being today, not something back then solely. Consider:
Philippians 2:12, Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
Hebrews 3:15, Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
James 2:20, But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Tim Keller suggests that we should ask these three questions to determine if someone is truly born again – truly a follower of Jesus – and one who will not be turned away at death:
- Is there Evidence of God’s presence in your life?
Do you adore, honor, exalt and glorify God repeatedly throughout your days? Is God’s leading and doings noted most days? Is God often daily consulted? Do you repeatedly glorify God publicly? Is God amazing and worshiped daily?
- Is there Evidence of Scripture changing you?
How are you being challenged to put off the old and put on God’s ways? Is the Bible alive and active in your life – convicting you? What promises are fueling your faith today? Are you talking about lessons being learned today from the Bible? What are you memorizing?
- Is there Evidence of a growing appreciation for God’s mercy?
Is God’s Grace more and more glorious? Do you have a greater sense of sin and evil in you and a need for mercy and forgiveness? Are you more and more humbled by God’s sacrifice to pay your debt? Is Jesus more and more precious? Are you singing, “Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me?”
Are you truly saved? If so, you can answer those three questions.
a PK Musing 
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