True Conversion???

[in 'em]

I know this issue cannot be finalized this side of heaven, but I think this may be an interesting topic to discuss and express thoughts about. I have in my head a mixture of thoughts about works, deeds, fruits (fruit of the spirit), gifts, etc. as well as belief, trust, faith, etc. in what Christ did for us on the cross.
I guess the ultimate question is how we know we have had a true conversion. How do you know whether or not you (or your boss, friend, whoever) have had a true conversion and have attained a secured salvation? I am confident that no true believer will lose salvation, but how does one know that they are a “true” believer? Are there indicators, sybols, certain fruits, works that go along with "praying the prayer". Well, I give my thoughts later. Just seemed this was the next step of progression to our last few posts. =)

[rimrock]

True Conversion or put in another way Justification.

…AND justification if not the same as sanctification, but the two are commonly mixed and therefore both are confused.

Christians do not ask "whether" good works should or must be done, they simply do them--such is the living and active power of faith in Jesus Christ. Good works may serve as a "sign" of true faith, but they can never be a "measure" of conversion. For the ASSURANCE of salvation, Christians must always look "outside themselves" to Christ and the Cross, not "within themselves"!!!!! We are not to be in the habit of looking even at our own “faith” to be justified before God; this faith may at times appear to be very weak or even non-existent but we are to look outwardly to Christ.

Terminology can sometimes be confusing since the terms justification, salvation and sanctification are used in Scripture in both broad and narrow senses. Generally speaking, however; justification and salvation typically refer to the free gift of forgiveness, eternal life and righteousness in God's sight granted by God by faith in Christ alone. Sanctification usually refers to the holy life (life of good works) that follows and flows from faith in Christ.

Although it sounds a bit paradoxical, some have found it helpful to use this phrase to summarize the teaching regarding the relationship between justification and sanctification, "Faith in Christ alone saves, but faith is never alone!"


…and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31).

[FireCat]

in,em...That is a very good question there are books written on that same subject, and the author still never seems to answer it. But from what I have been through in some of my studies and experiance as a child of God is do you Love going to Church, do you like fellowship around Christian people, are you grieved when someone is suffering wether they ar rich or poor. Is there something inside you that tells you to pray, is there something inside you that makes you feel uncomfortable when certain sinful situation happen. Do you rejoice over a lost soul that has been saved. ALL these something inside you,s...Its the Holy Spirit! you dont have them if your not truly saved. Satan loves to cast doubt on every Christian. Satan love,s to have every one second guess our salvation. WE act, we move we breath every step of the Christian walk by faith. 2 Cor.13.5 tells us to "test ourselves to see if we are in the faith, examine yourselves." for my self I have come up with a little test I use on myself, Its found in 1 COR 13 4-7, I call it the love chapter. take a look if you will at this:
LOVE, is patient
LOVE, is kind
LOVE, is not Jelious
LOVE, is not proud
LOVE, is not inflated
LOVE, is not rude
LOVE, does not seek its own intrest
LOVE, is not quick temperd
LOVE, does not rejoice over someone else hurting
LOVE, rejoices over truth
LOVE, never fails:
Ok now take out the word LOVE and put JESUS name in its place and you will see CHRIST perfect nature. Now to test yourself, take out the word LOVE and put your name in its place, And see how far you go down the list before you fail. This little test should keep us on our kneese to show us were we need his help. The Holy Spirit will tap you on the sholder and bring a few of these to your attention I am sure. And rest assured when he does he is doing it because your his Son......Lord Bless

[in 'em]

Rimrock, love this quote, makes a lot of sense.
For the ASSURANCE of salvation, Christians must always look "outside themselves" to Christ and the Cross, not "within themselves"!!!!!

Firecat, great test, never seen that before.

Well said fellas, I agree!