What is the proof of salvation in a person’s life. Often people will speak of the time they “walked an aisle”, “prayed a prayer with the pastor”, or were baptized as the proof of their salvation. Certainly these all have their merit and are special events and times for us, but they can only mark the beginning of our personal relationship with Jesus. They, in and of themselves, are not “proofs” of salvation.
As I have studied the Kingdom parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, it is clear that Jesus was speaking of people sprinkled among the genuine believers who were not genuinely saved, or born again. He spoke of tares among the wheat, which looked just like wheat until it was time for the harvest and the tares bore no fruit while the wheat did. Then the ten bridesmaids that waited the arrival of the bridegroom. All ten looked the part and there was no outward difference between them at all, until the bridegroom arrived and only five had oil for their torches while the other five were not prepared. Even today in the church there are those who are not genuinely saved, though they may look the part and even act the part, when the bridegroom comes they will not be ready. They may have walked the aisle, prayed a prayer, and were even baptized, but are not genuine.
As I preach through the first letter of John I find that he is providing for the church several tests, or proofs, of the genuiness of a person’s salvation. Among them you will not find, “walking an aisle”, “praying a prayer”, or even baptism. What you will find is that the genuine, born again believer will keep the commandments of God, will keep the word of God, will abide in Christ, will love their brother, will love God only, not live in continual sin, etc.
If you are holding to a childhood confession, a prayer prayed years ago, baptism, or even church membership as the only proof of your salvation, you may be surprised when the bridegroom comes and you find yourself unprepared.
The proof of a person’s salvation is an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you have one?
Here is a link the a sermon I preached on this subject. Take a listen. God Bless.
http://www.dalevillebc.org/sermons2010/07-11-10_WhatToDoWithSIN.mp3
