IT IS NOT OLD SCHOOL AND IT IS "NEVER" OUTDATED. WHAT? SALVATION!!

BELIEVE!! SALVATION IS MORE RELEVANT TODAY THAN EVER BEFORE!!

“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be SAVED, and thy house…”  (ACTS 16:31 KJV).

*

“I AM SAVED” was a very popular statement when I was growing up in the church, but I don’t hear it as much as I used to if I hear it at all. People were proud to declare to the world they were saved, but now people are more worried about being politically correct or offending someone.

Acknowledging that you are saved is simply admitting you are a believer or follower of Christ. It means you have recognized you are a sinner and have turned from your ways to God’s ways. It also means you have eternal life and have been rescued from eternal death or eternal separation from God. In a nutshell, you have been SAVED from both the “consequences” of sin and its “effects.”

In order to be saved you have to be able to answer the following questions:

1.) ARE YOU A SINNER? “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).  “…As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE...” (Romans 3:10-12 KJV).

2.) WHAT IS THE PAYMENT FOR SINS AGAINST GOD? “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS: for IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV).

3.) IF YOU RECOGNIZE YOU ARE A SINNER AND ARE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS; CAN YOU CHANGE? “…REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV).

“…REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD our Lord Jesus Christ. …” (Acts 20:21 KJV).

4.) CAN YOU BE RESCUED FROM YOUR SINS? “…God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). "…Therefore REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB).

5.) DO YOU BELIEVE CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN? “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).  “…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “… believe in thine heart that GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

6.) WHY IS BELIEVING IN JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION IMPORTANT? The shedding of blood was commanded by God as an atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. “…without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).  HIS DEATH PAID GOD FOR YOUR “DEBT OF SIN.”

7.) WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONFESS JESUS WITH YOUR MOUTH AND BELIEVE ON HIM IN YOUR HEART? “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…For WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made UNTO SALVATION…” (Romans 10:10 KJV).  “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV). SAY THE SINNERS PRAYER BELOW:

8.) WHEN DOES SALVATION BEGIN? THE VERY MOMENT YOU “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). THAT'S WHAT YOU DID "IF" YOU SAID THE SINNERS PRAYER. Once you repent and believe you are SAVED from the consequences of sin and its effects.

9.) CAN YOU FIND SALVATION ANYWHERE ELSE? “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” (John 14 6 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).  “…There is SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE…” (Acts 4:12a NLT).

IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO QUESTION 7 ABOVE AND DID WHAT IT SAID; YOU ARE SAVED. SO, ARE YOU SAVED? “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1 KJV). “…Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV).

DO YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED? “…Peter said to them, "REPENT, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). “…Confessing their sins, THEY WERE BAPTIZED by him in the Jordan River… (Matthew 3:6 NIV).  “…He that believeth and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned…” (Mark 16:16 KJV).

If you have truly repented, believed, and accepted him as you Lord and Savior; you are SAVED. That’s all there is to it. “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV).

If you are a new convert, you need to find a church home that teaches the bible basics. Start studying the Holy Bible for yourself. Pray for God to help you live a new repentant lifestyle. “…You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen…” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT).

If you are a longtime believer, but have never truly repented you need to pray and trust God to work IN and THROUGH you. “…If My people which are called by My name SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES …AND TURN FROM their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and WE ARE NOT SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV).

God through Jesus Christ SAVES you from the consequences of SIN, but he is also restoring you BACK to the Garden-of-Eden creation BEFORE sin entered into the picture. Repentance means to turn back, because you are also SAVED from the effect (INFLUENCE) of SIN.

Restoration is the process of reparation of the SAVED person. Living a HOLY life helps them return to their original created glory and holiness. What was the original glory and holiness? Back in the Garden of Eden, God said, “….LET US MAKE man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..GOD CREATED MAN in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). This is what the bible says about God: “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “….THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD IS ONE…” (DEUTERONOMY 6:4 KJV). “…THERE IS NO GOD, BUT ONE…” (1 CORINTHIANS 8:4 KJV). Therefore, God said, “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…I pray God] your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 KJV). “…the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow (body)…” (HEBREWS 4:12 KJV). “…the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV).

Restoration is simply a part of the salvation process. You are restored to God’s Spirit and you have become ALIVE again. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

I AM SAVED. You “WERE” a spiritually “DEAD” soul. You were“…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). Before you were SAVED “…YOU… were DEAD in your transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). “…YOU were dead in your sins and ... [NOW]…God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….made [you]… ALIVE with Christ …when [you]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU (your DEAD soul) was]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

If you were made “ALIVE AGAIN” you were DEAD. The soul was a DEAD soul. The appetites of the DEAD soul had its effects or influences on you. It is evident through the longings, cravings, or hungers from the demands of your flesh. “….YOU (your DEAD soul) USED TO LIVE in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations (effects) of our sinful nature. ….just like everyone else…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

Spiritually DEAD souls express the sinful nature. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV). The spiritually DEAD soul is heavily affected by carnality. “….When you follow the desires (influences) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

However, “I AM SAVED. God, through the GIFT of Salvation restores my DEAD soul from the effects of SIN, “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “IN” Christ you (your DEAD soul) has been restored and made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

 “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…he that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with him and God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).“…. old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Every time you choose righteousness you saying “I AM SAVED” from the “effects of SIN. Restoration is the “…the [inner]… work of God…” which enables God to RESTORE you ENTIRELY. The indwelling Holy Spirit and “…the measure of faith…” enables you to overcome the effects of SIN. “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye SHALL NOT fulfil the LUST OF THE FLESH…” (Galatians 5:16 KJV).

 Originally “…the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).  However, “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). Now “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). Yet through Jesus Christ change

“I AM SAVED” from the effect or influence of SIN. Restoration is meant to progressively conform you to God’s HOLY image. “…be conformed (progressively) to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “… We all … are [being]… changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). “…by the grace of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

“…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Before accepting Christ as Savior, the effect of sin was OBVIOUS. You had a DEAD soul. But Christ died for YOU and thus the OLD you died with him on the cross. “…Now if [you]… died with Christ ….count yourselves DEAD TO SIN ….For sin shall no longer be your master (effect you like it did before), because you are ….under grace….” (Romans 6:6-14 NIV). “…he that is DEAD is freed from sin…” (Romans 6:7 KJV).  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: OLD THINGS are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“…We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power (effect) in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power (effect) of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power (effect) of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace…” (Romans 6 NLT). I AM SAVED. I AM SAVED FROM THE EFFECT (INFLUENCE) OF SIN.

 “…Christ died for [your] sins according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). “…We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power (effect) in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power (effect) of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. …Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace…” (Romans 6 NLT).

I AM SAVED. “…he that is dead is FREED from sin…” (Romans 6:7 KJV). “….if the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV). “…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: ….ALL things are become new…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

However, SIN, from the old nature wants to continual to INFLUENCE (effect) you, but you are FREE from its influences. I AM SAVED.  “…These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions….” (Galatians 5 NLT). “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin... I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … WITHIN ME (my flesh). …Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

How does Jesus Christ free you from the effect or influence of the old sinful nature, “…. if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Christ [dwells] in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17 KJV). “…Christ [is]…in you …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…Christ be in you… (Romans 8:10 KJV). ^“…Christ liveth in [you]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “….if any man be in Christ, he is a New creature: OLD THINGS are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“…It shall be done to you according to your faith…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB). God “…dealt to every man the measure of faith...” (Romans 12:3 KJV). “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…thy word is truth” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “…the truth shall MAKE YOU FREE…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV).

Therefore, “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…thy word is truth” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “…the truth shall MAKE YOU FREE…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV). The Word can make you free by “….Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV).

“…When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very CLEAR: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. …Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the (OLD) passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there…” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Apostle Paul said, “….I am carnal … [and it is]… sin that dwelleth in me. … I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. …I delight in the law of God after the inward man.  But I see another law in my members (flesh), warring against the law of my mind (spirit), and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members (flesh)….” (Romans 7:14-23 KJV).

As mentioned in one of my earlier books, the word “flesh” seems to refer to the totality of the human, physical body. It is the total, human body that is dominated by sin to the degree NOTHING good dwells in it. The human, physical body did not start out dominated by sin, but became corrupted after the fall.

God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). When “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

How did the “flesh” become marred? “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).

“….God saw every thing he had made…was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).  Yet, “… one sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH good…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Two things happened at the fall:  “… [Their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). They became “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

“…Through one man sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). The flesh/sin nature has been passed on from generation to generation since Adam.

“….I am carnal (flesh) … [and it is]… sin that dwelleth in me. … I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing….” (Romans 7:14-23 KJV). Without Christ, the flesh or sinful nature could NEVER be saved from condemnation. The gift of salvation was the only hope from the consequences and effect of the eternally corrupted flesh. I AM SAVED.

You don’t lose the sin nature/flesh once you are SAVED, but NOW you have the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions….” (Galatians 5 NLT).

 Sin remains in the flesh/sin nature, which is why there is a struggle between the flesh and the indwelling Spirit. Paul said, “….I am carnal (flesh)… [and it is]… sin that dwelleth in me. … I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing….” (Romans 7:14-23 KJV).

However, I AM SAVED and I am FREE from the effect (influence) SIN had on me. “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

Therefore, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…. if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Christ [dwells] in your hearts by faith …” (Ephesians 3:17 KJV). ^“…Christ liveth in [you]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “….OLD THINGS (effects or influences of the Sin nature) are passed…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

“…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

I AM SAVED. What do I need to know about the influences of the flesh?  “….They that are IN THE FLESH cannot please God...” (Romans 8:8 KJV). “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the LUST OF THE FLESH…” (Galatians 5:16 KJV). “…Now the WORKS OF THE FLESH are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…” (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV). “…..For to be carnally minded [is] DEATH…” (Romans 8:6 KJV). “…For they that are AFTER THE FLESH do mind the things of the flesh…” (Romans 8:5 KJV). “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “…For if ye live AFTER THE FLESH, ye shall die…” (Romans 8:13 KJV). “… LET NOT SIN THEREFORE REIGN IN YOUR MORTAL BODY, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof…” (Romans 6:12-13 KJV).   “…Now those who belong to Christ Jesus HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH with its passions and desires…” (Galatians 5:24 NASB). “…Among them we too all formerly lived in the  LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, indulging the DESIRES OF THE FLESH and OF THE MIND, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest…” (Ephesians 2:3 NASB). “….MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH IN REGARD TO ITS LUSTS…” (Romans 13:14 NASB). “…THE FLESH SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST the Spirit…” (Galatians 5:17 NASB). “…those who are ACCORDING TO THE FLESH set their MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH…” (Romans 8:5 NASB).

“…WHOEVER SOWS TO PLEASE THEIR FLESH, FROM THE FLESH WILL REAP DESTRUCTION; …” (Galatians 6:8 NIV). “…put off concerning the former CONVERSATION the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” (Ephesians 4:21-23 KJV).

 “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh …” (Galatians 5:16 KJV). “ … the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB). "That which is born of the FLESH IS FLESH; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6 KJV).

I AM SAVED, but I still have evil thoughts. Where do they come from? “….For from WITHIN, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful DESIRES (emotions, passions), envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from WITHIN; they are what defile you…” (Mark 7:20-23 NLT). “... I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … WITHIN me …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

What are some of the continual influences of sin? “…Do not be ANXIOUS about anything …” (Philippians 4:6 NIV). “….A WRATHFUL man stirreth up strife: …” (Proverbs 15:18 KJV). “…be not AFRAID, neither be thou DISMAYED ….” (Joshua 1:9 KJV). “….In your ANGER do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” (Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV). “…A FOOL uttereth all his mind…” (Proverbs 29:11 KJV). “…be not CONFORMED to this world...” (Romans 12:2 KJV).  “…that ye may be able to WITHSTAND in the evil day…” (Ephesians 6:13 KJV). “… [Let] love be without DISSIMULATION. ABHOR that which is evil; cleave to that which is good…” (Romans 12:9 KJV). “…FEAR NOT them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell…” (Matthew 10:28 KJV).  “…Let us HOLD FAST the profession of faith WITHOUT WAVERING…” (Hebrews 10:23 KJV). “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

I AM SAVED. The believer is “… a new creature [in Christ]… old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [The believer]… is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with him and God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

I AM SAVED. YOU ARE SAVED FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN AND THE EFFECT (INFLUENCE) OF SIN.“…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (influenced by sin), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV).

I AM SAVED. It is a NEW lifestyle NOT the continual or ongoing influence of the OLD sinful lifestyle. “…Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of REPENTANCE, and begin NOT to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none…” (Luke 3:8-11 KJV). “…REPENT…” (Acts 17:30 KJV).

Being SAVED is an event that impacts your earthly, temporary lifestyle as well as your heavenly, eternal lifestyle. I AM SAVED means you are saved from the consequences (eternal damnation) and the effect or influence (earthy) of SIN. “…Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of REPENTANCE…” (Luke 3:8-11 KJV).

Therefore, “…Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). What does “examine yourself” mean?

It means to examine your lifestyle to see what is truly influencing your life. How many times have you judged and scrutinized the actions of others, but not their own.

I AM SAVED. Therefore, “…Examine YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES. Know ye not your OWN SELVES, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

Instead of scrutinizing the actions of others, subject your own self to honest scrutiny and examine what is actually influencing you. “…Ye shall know them… by their … fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). People will know you by YOUR fruit too.

You will clearly recognize what influences your life and the life of others. “…Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit... [and] a good tree CANNOT bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. WHEREFORE BY THEIR … FRUIT YE SHALL KNOW THEM …...” (Matthew 7:16-22 KJV).

I AM SAVED. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, “You can identify them… by their … fruit, that is, by the way they … act…” (Matthew 7:16 NLT). WHAT IS INFLUENCING YOU?

“Christ IN YOU” is the catalytic agent for being “… transformed by the renewing of your mind…. [AND]…conformed to the image of his Son...”  (ROMANS 12:1 & Romans 8:29 KJV)

The influencing, indwelling “Christ in you” IS “…the invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world …clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made …so that [you] are without excuse…” (Romans 1:20 KJV).

I AM SAVED. Salvation permanently BROKE the influence of sin by MAKING you BRAND NEW. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are BECOME NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

Are you SAVED? “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (influenced by sin), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV). Are you SAVED? “…Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of REPENTANCE…” (Luke 3:8-11 KJV).

"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples” “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, “You can identify them… by their … fruit, that is, by the way they … act…” (Matthew 7:16 NLT). ARE YOU SAVED?