Last week, about 20 of our men watched a message in our Tuesday night discipleship meeting. It was by Pastor Daniel Lucas of Beter Life Church in Morehead, Kentucky on the topic of "Jesus is Enough". After listening to the sermon, it caused me to consider that every individual in our churches falls into one of the following groups:

1. Saved and knows it (eternally secure)
2. Saved but doubts it (lacks assurance)
3. Unsaved but believes they are saved (deceived)
4. Unsaved and knows it (lives in rebellion)

While I believe a person can be genuinely saved and struggle with doubts, this can usually be traced to one of a  few things. This can be the result of habitual sin or as a result of not understanding the true nature of salvation. If we fail to understand what really happens when we are born again, we are much more likely to be confused about what keeps us saved. I believe that we can neither attain salvation nor maintain it. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." 

While I truly desire for all believers to have that peace of knowing that they are secure in Christ (Romans 8:35-39, I John 5:17), my greatest concern is for Group #3. These are the folks that believe they are going to heaven but are as lost as as can be. They are trusting in something (good works, religion, false teaching) or someone (themselves), other than Christ. Until a person sees the reality of their sin before God, he or she is unable to receive the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers. It was when Isaiah went in before the presence of the Lord that he saw the greatness of his sin and the holiness of God (Isaiah 6:3-5).

Lastly, what about Group #4? What about those who are unsaved and know that they are not in relationship with God? These simply refuse to repent and follow Christ. We must pray that the Holy Spirit will soften their hearts so that they might see the glorious light of the gospel and be saved. 
 

                                                                                                                                                                        -Pastor Carpenter