Of Course, "I've Been Saved Four Times"

Brenda and I stopped by Winston Salem K&W cafeteria on Hanes Mill Road a few years ago after a doctor's appointment for lunch. We had finished our lunch and had returned to our vehicle. Brenda was waiting on me to unlock the door on her side when out from the rear of our vehicle came this man. Seems he had hid and waited on us. He startled me so, I motion for Brenda to get in the car and lock the doors and she did as I stood by my door. I could see that he was on some kind of drug and maybe alcohol because his eyes were a milky blood shot and I could smell the alcohol.

I was prepared to defend myself when he ask me if I had money so he could get some gas for his car. I told him I didn't have any cash on me but, I knew someone who could give him everything his hearts desired if he would only ask. You should have seen this man cheer up with anticipation in thinking someone would buy him anything he ask for.

I said, do you know who Jesus Christ is? Surprisingly he said, yes he did! I ask him if he had accepted Him as his Saviour and saved him from his sins and the damnation of Hell. I ask him, are you saved? He said yes, "I've been saved four times!" I said, I don't have any money and please step away from my vehicle. He looked at me a few seconds and left. Was this man saved? I don't know for sure, only God knows that. I only did what I'm called to do if he wasn't. If he wasn't maybe God was giving him another chance. Either way, I knew that my witness was done with this man.

What does it mean to be saved? How many times can someone be saved? Why do some Christians doubt they are saved?

Being saved means, that you will not face Gods judgment for your sins once you accept Him as your Saviour.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Also verse 13 of Romans chapter 10 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Our God is a just God and sin must be paid for. We can't do it on our own so, God provided a way through His Son Jesus.

How many times must someone be saved? Answer: Once, Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our eternal security is based on God's love for those whom He has redeemed. Our eternal security is purchased by Christ, promised by the Father, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. God's promise is good forever, not like unpredictable mankind.

Why do some doubt they are saved? Answer: I believe there is 1 of 2 reasons some doubt their Salvation. First and the shortest answer is, they we not saved to began with. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

A person who rejects Christ and turns his back on faith is demonstrating that he never belonged to Christ to began with.

The last reason some doubt their Salvation and I believe it happens often, is that some are just weak in the Spirit. They believe, they made that decision and I believe they are in fact saved. They will go to church a while but, never commit to learning more, never get involved in any kind of Christian activity. These folks are what Paul called "carnal" 1Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ

Carnal means "fleshly" Can a Christian, in a time of failure and/or rebellion, appear to be carnal? Yes. Will a true Christian remain carnal? No. Eventually they will grow but, slowly, I believe.

Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com