I've never done so, I never went forward at altar calls, never raised my hand when the pastor asked "who prayed that prayer with me just now." I never felt that Jesus was absent in my life. So am I saved? Well, to answer this question, I think one would have to explain their definition of "salvation". I don't believe that being saved is a "moment" but that it is what believers in Christ do.
"WORK OUT your salvation with fear and trembling..."
I also grew up in a Christian family and never remember a time when I didn't know Christ. As I got older, I got to know Him more and more personally but I didn't ever need to have one moment where I sat down and decided to follow Him. There were many moments where He convicted me to follow Him more closely or give up certain things for Him but my life was always His. And this lines up with Scripture where God is constantly pouring His blessings on a family or a line of people.
Also, remember that no one can tell you wether you're saved or not. Only God knows the heart. However, He does tell us that we will "know men by their fruits".
Ok, there is so much more on this topic! If you're interested in discussing, shoot me an email. Good luck and good question! Well, all i can say is that i too was born in a Christian Family, so i clearly thought i was a Christian and that i really got it. But like last summer, i went to a church camp and God worked miracles in my life there. I accepted Christ then and there, because i myself didnt consider myself a Christian because i never had really understood. But thats just my life story so... you just need to do what you think is right, talk to your parents about it, your preacher, and all those wise old ppl in your church. (Those are the best to talk to, because they actually know what they are talking about) I think you may have been saved, probably from a young age. But, I do believe that you have to make a personal commitment and give your life to Him. Not just believe, but surrender. Have you admitted that you are lost without Him and that you are a sinner? Then do that, and ask Him into your life. Complete surrender. You don't have to go up for an altar call. That is not scriptural. But if you feel like doing that, that's fine. He will hear you and accept you wherever you are. Then be baptised with your family there to celebrate. My opinion. God has no grandchildren.
If you have never felt the "need" to be saved, then I would question your "salvation".
Some people, having grown up in the church, slowly grow into their faith. They may not have a very defining moment, but they can usually look back to a time when they knew their faith was their own.
If you never thought you were sinner in need of a Savior, but thought you were "good enough" for God because of your upbringing, then if I were you, I'd start questioning my faith. Your saved when you do Romans 10:9&10. If you have already, then you are saved and nothing can stop you from going to heaven!
"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."
Romans 10:9&10 Yes. It does not matter how good a life you live you still have to ask Jesus to save you. You do not get saved by saying a prayer with a pastor. You get saved by praying yourself, anywhere, anytime to Jesus to come into your heart and save you. Jesus is always there but not in your heart. I hope this helps. Dear Friend,
Jesus is not a "corporate" God. He is a "personal" God who wants an individual relationship with His creation. Does that make sense?
I never walked down to the alter to accept Jesus into my life. In fact, I was 14 years old and in the darkness of our family livingroom one night, I asked Jesus to come into my heart. I told Him I NEEDED Him. I needed a BEST FRIEND. I told Him I was sorry for anything I had done that was wrong. I 'know' beyond a shadow of a doubt that He performed a spiritual heart transplant on me. He is alive and REAL.
Just because a person is brought up in a Christian environment, does not make that person a Christian. We are all sinners and need a Savior, Jesus Christ.
Say for instance you had a best friend who came over your house everyday. He'd spend weekends over your house and your family enjoyed him too. Now, just because he came over and spent quality time, does that mean he is entitled to carry "your" last name and inherit anything your parent's have? No, of course not. But, if your parent's decided to "adopt" him into your family, he would not only carry your last name, but he would be entitled to any inheritance. When we ask Jesus into our heart and life, He "adopts" us into His spiritual family and we then are entitled to be called Christian (Christ-like), and receive any inheritance Jesus inherits.
Therefore, perhaps you should spend some quality time with Jesus and ask Him into your life. Agree with Him that you are a sinner and NEED Him in your life. Then...begin reading His Word everyday. Start with the Book of John and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you spiritual truths. JESUS ASKED US FOR MORE THAN JUST BELIEF.
Romans 10; 17聽So faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ.
10聽For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.
James 2; 17聽Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself. 18聽Nevertheless, a certain one will say: 鈥淵ou have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works.鈥?19聽You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20聽But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive?
So what are the 'works'
Matthew 28; 19,20 You must BELIEVE the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved.
Do you believe the Gospel?
The only way to be saved and go to heaven and not the eternal lake of fire is by believing in this life that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Believe this and you are saved!
Please pray now: "Jesus, please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and You rose again. Thank You for eternal life!" You will be in heaven with Him forever when you die :) Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins, and have accepted Him into your heart as Lord and Savior? If so, then I would say yes, you are saved.
You dont have to do it during an altar call- its a desicion you make in your heart :) Hope this helps! Mark 16:16 Whoever believes AND is baptised shall be saved. NOT- whoever believes and is baptised shall save others. Even if your family member was Jesus Christ, you still need to believe and be baptised to be saved. I too was raised in a Christian home and NO WAY was I a Christian until I turned 40 and repented and accepted Jesus myself.
We are all born into sin and each of us will stand before God individually and give account for ourselves.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Revelation 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 10:9 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.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Man dude dont put it off any longer, Its such a great experience to have the Lord inside your heart. Time is short, dont wait.
Dont worry about other people and what they think of you. They too will stand before God.
If they hate you for it so what.
Jesus said the following:
John 15:18
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
I will pray for you. Yes. You must be born-again.
On judgment day, God will ask you, why should you be allowed into heaven? Mama won't be there to answer this one for you.
Make this decision public. Jesus will deny you in heaven if you deny your association with him on earth. From what I can tell, acception or not acception God and/or Jesus is a decision that you have to freely make. That's why you have freedom of choice. It's not about the family you were born into. Your life is your own. If you don't believe, then don't go through it just to please your family. I did that, and I still regret all the pain I went through. i hate all that going forward crap and raising your hand. none of that is in the bible...good grief. talk to God and deal with this for yourself. the pastor isn't needed to have God. i really dislike that junk. No, you don't. You should read up a bit and study about your religion. Then you can make an educated decision about what to do next. YES!
One is not a Christian because their raised in a Christian home.
You have to accept by faith,and believe in your heart and mind that Jesus Christ died for your sins. You know if you have a personal relationship with Jesus. You are saved if you have accepted Jesus Christ in your heart. You must make it personal. You must have a relationship with Jesus, yourself. You will not stand on the faith of your parents. No. You must make the choice yourself to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord of your life. He may be in your life, but is He in control? going forward to altars and raising your hand isn't what saves you.. Saved from what?
You don't need to conform to any religion, that's your own choice. | 