Is this a question that is only asked people we do not know, or those who are by our observation unsaved? Is it not peculiar, perhaps unreasonable to inquire such a thing of the church member? I ask such a question to the church member for two reasons; one, because I am obligated by the Scriptures and two, because it is possible for the Lord’s church here on earth to have members who are not saved. Let us examine this text to see what God would teach us.
To ask the question, “Are You Saved” is not unreasonable nor is it unfair; for we are challenged in our text by Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine ourselves whether we be in the faith. And then an even greater challenge to prove our own selves. Otherwise, he says ye are reprobates. So, there are three key words in this verse, examine, prove, and reprobates. The word “Examine” means “to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself .” The word “Prove” means “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals.” We will look at the other word later.
Please understand that the question is not to someone you know, your mother or father, sister or brother, husband or wife, but to you. We must make this question as personal as possible; for the church to ever benefit, prosper and grow it will have to depend on its saved members to contribute. I do not ask this question to cause anyone to doubt what they are, but to confirm what you are.
In order for each of us to answer this question we must approach it in the most basic way. So, let’s go through the basic questions and you can answer them one by one.
First, are you a SINNER? Do you see yourself as a sinner? Salvation is only offered to sinners, never good people. You must see yourself as God sees you and that is a wretched, hell bound sinner. He did not die for white sheep, only black sheep. The fact is, you are a sinner, but you must see yourself as a sinner. Does being a sinner concern you? If you are a sinner, but you are not concerned about it, then you are not a candidate for salvation. The wages of sin is death and Jesus only came to save sinners.
Second, do you expect to go to HEAVEN? Most religious people want to go to heaven, but there are many different answers as to how they expect to get to heaven. The way to heaven is not many roads, but one road. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. You may be thinking, “I’m a good person, I go to church, I give my tithe, I was baptized, I enjoy the preaching” and on and on. However, you must understand; that salvation is not what I have done, or what I am doing or even what I might expect to do in the future; salvation is based on what Jesus Christ has already done and nothing else. If you are saved or are to be saved, it is because of the finished work wrought by the Savior on the cross of sacrifice. So, we must labor the question, Are You Saved?
The next question is, “has there ever been a heart CHANGE?” The warning of Paul is, “except ye be reprobates” which means, “counterfeit and disapproved.” By heart change I mean, a different attitude about God, about sin and about service. There is a song which says, “Jesus is all the world to me…” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I leave you with the very simple, but crucial question: what does Jesus mean to you? We will continue these thoughts next issue. E-mail, johnpruitt@frontiernet.net
