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Author
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Topic: How do you know you are saved?
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practicalbibleteaching
Advanced Member
Member # 7755
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posted
How do you know you are saved? A very important question that needs to be answered on this side of the grave yard. Well, I have often been accused of making things to simple and may draw some of that kind of criticism here, but I hope it will help those who need it. Through the years as a Bible teacher and a pastor I have seen many people struggle to answer this question. I have noticed that the ones who are the most troubled have one thing in common. They are looking at themselves. Evaluating what they have done, what they feel, what they hope to do, how they line up with what they feel the Bible says. There was a group of religious people in Christ's day who done much the same thing and He rebuked them for it. Jesus said to them in John 5:39-40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. They thought they had eternal life because they were in some way measuring themselves by the scriptures and coming out clean. It seems to me that if we could have saved ourselves by living up to a certain level laid down by the scriptures Jesus would not have had to shed His blood, lay down His life, and take it up again. I think it has to be more simple than that. I believe to know you are saved you have to stop looking at yourself and look to Jesus. His death, burial, and resurrection was enough to save us. You see, I know I am saved not because I am manifesting certain things the scriptures declare to be characteristics of a believer, I know I am saved because of what Jesus did for me. What He did was perfect, what I have done, am doing, and will do is not perfect. Yes, I do believe a saved person is a new creature in Christ and will begin to produce fruit that show others his conversion, but that change in his life or fruit he produces should never be looked at as assurance that he is saved. Only Jesus can be his assurance, anything else will bring him doubts. I have found people who grasp this simple concept become the some of the best Christian ministers around because they are working out of a great confidence in Christ instead of doubts about themselves. Hope this helps. God Bless!
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The Church of Jesus Christ is perfect for those who are not!
Posts: 53 | From: Tennessee | Registered: Jun 2009
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jumpinjack
Advanced Member
Member # 7721
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posted
Green Olive:
"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." Period. (John 3:16)
"This is my commandment: that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his Life for his friends. Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 15:12-14)
I, too, like those above find practically the entire book of I John to be one of the most highly instructive sources of inspiration for the living of the Life which is in Christ.
Sooner or later those around you will see the change in your life. As you apply this to your life in as many situations as you can, people will begin to want this peace that they see in your life. Without saying a word to any one, you will soon begin to draw around you those who are led of the same spirit of the heavenly Father which has began to actuate you. They will ask you what is driving the magnificent change in your life. THEY will see it, even if your environment hasn't changed, and you WILL begin to act differently toward them - even if you are still sufferring. They - together with you - will soon BEGIN TO HELP ONE ANOTHER. Your life WILL begin to change. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you WILL soon begin to feel the mighty power of the Spirit moving within and all about your life to lift you out, up, and away from the dispair around you which you now feel drawing you downward.
I think I can safely speak for all here on this board that ALL our prayers will always be with you, as they are with each other. That, as we come TO THE FATHER in Heaven, He WILL grant you the faith to endure, IN THE NAME OF THE SON, and In the POWER OF THE SPIRIT. You may see many disagreements among oursleves - but on these things we all agree.
with Love in Christ-
Jack
-peace-
Posts: 221 | From: wichita, ks | Registered: May 2009
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TB125
Advanced Member
Member # 2450
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posted
God needs "children" who are humble enough to repent of the rebellious self-serving pride and faithful enough to trust him for their daily needs and spiritual salvation so that they can live forever in a personal relationship that will bring him glory and pleasure. These children are not "toys". They are living beings that God has created and for whom Jesus, God's Son, has died. I hope that this relationship between God and created humanity is clear. It is basic to everything that we teach about salvation and biblical doctrine.
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Bob
Posts: 449 | From: Rockford Illinois | Registered: Nov 2003
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Betty Louise
Advanced Member
Member # 7175
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posted
You are who you are for a reason....
by *Russell Kelfer
(*Opens in New Window)
You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.
You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb.
You're just what He wanted to make.
The parents you had were the ones He chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.
No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into His likeness you'd grow.
You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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greenolive
Community Member
Member # 7703
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posted
Thanks Carol Swenson and becauseHElives. ![[wave3]](graemlins/18.gif)
I like your opinion very much. ![[thumbsup2]](graemlins/thumbsup2.gif) However "displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and stop displaying immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness and carousing" is really hard. I feel become that pure soul is an impossible task, even in the end of my life.
I believe Bible because everything from the book helps me solve lots of problem in my currently life. The book is full of answers but no procedure of calculating; maybe the process is too hard to understand. I believe there is a God truly exist and heaven also. It's home the original home.
My wife sent me a poem, and I love it so much, now I shall it here
"You are who you are for a reason
You're part of an intricate plan
You're a precious and perfect unique design
Called God's special woman or man
You look like you look for a reason
Our God made no mistake
He knit you together within the womb
You're just what he wanted to make
The parents you had were the ones he chose
And no matter how you may feel
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind
And they bear the Master's seal
No, that trauma you faced was not easy
And God wept that it hurt you so
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow
You are who you are for a reason
You've been formed by the Master's rod
You are who you are, beloved
Because there is a God!"
I'd be very grateful if anybody tells me the author of this poem. I just love it so much.
Ps: Everybody need toy, from children to old man, and most of them use their own hand made or bought their own toy, and make them beautiful. Dose God need toy too?
Posts: 9 | From: CHINA | Registered: Apr 2009
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becauseHElives
Advanced Member
Member # 87
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posted
greenolive welcome to the BBS.... i will be praying for you....
great answer Carol
How To Know That You Are Saved
The Bible tells us several ways to confirm that we are God's children and that He is at work in our lives. The main way that we know that we are saved is because God has given us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, to be with us and in us forever.
(Isaiah 11:2 NIV) The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. The Holy Spirit is at work in the believers life bringing wisdom, knowledge, understanding, power, counsel, and the fear of the Lord; all from God's heart to our heart.
As we hear and obey God's voice speaking to us through His Holy Spirit we are transformed into the image of Christ and we experience the fruit of the Spirit in our life. (Galatians 5:22-25 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. {24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. {25} Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
(Matthew 7:17-21) Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. {18} A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. {19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. {20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. {21} "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
(Luke 16:13) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
(John 6:44-45) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. {45} It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
(John 8:47) He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
(John 10:27-28) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
(John 13:34-35) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
(John 14:15-17) "If you love me, you will obey what I command. {16} And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
(John 14:21) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
(John 15:1-14) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. {2} He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. {3} You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. {4} Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. {5} "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. {6} If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. {7} If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. {8} This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. {9} "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. {10} If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. {11} I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. {12} My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. {13} Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. {14} You are my friends if you do what I command.
(Romans 8:5-17) Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. {6} The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; {7} the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. {8} Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. {9} You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. {10} But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. {11} And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. {12} Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. {13} For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, {14} because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. {15} For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." {16} The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. {17} Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
(Romans 8:28-30) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. {29} For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. {30} And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
(2 Corinthians 1:20-22) For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. {21} Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, {22} set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
(2 Corinthians 5:17-19) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! {18} All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: {19} that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
(Galatians 5:18-25) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. {19} The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; {20} idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions {21} and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. {22} But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. {24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. {25} Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
(Ephesians 1:3-14) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. {4} For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love {5} he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- {6} to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. {7} In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace {8} that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. {9} And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, {10} to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. {11} In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, {12} in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. {13} And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, {14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
(Ephesians 4:20-30) You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. {21} Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. {22} You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; {23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds; {24} and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. {25} Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. {26} "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold. {28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. {29} Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
(1 John 2:1-6) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. {2} He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. {3} We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. {4} The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: {6} Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
(1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
(1 John 3:14-24) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. {15} Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. {16} This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. {17} If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? {18} Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. {19} This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence {20} whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. {21} Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God {22} and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. {23} And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. {24} Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
(1 John 4:7-19) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. {9} This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. {10} This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. {11} Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. {12} No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. {13} We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. {14} And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. {15} If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. {16} And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. {17} In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. {18} There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. {19} We love because he first loved us.
(1 John 5:1-4) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. {2} This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. {3} This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, {4} for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
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posted
Hi greenolive Welcome to the Christian BBS
How do you know you are saved?
Well first of all, you should be displaying (or starting to display) the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)
If you are continually displaying immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness and carousing, then this is a good indication that you are not saved and as it says in Galatians 5:21, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God
The books of 1 and 2 John also give you a list of things to look out for ’so that you may know that you have eternal life.’ (1 John 5:13)
You will not walk in darkness. If you do, then you do not practice or live by the truth (1 John 1:6)
You will have fellowship with other christians (1 John 1:7)
You recognise your sinful nature (1 John 1:8,10)
You confess your sins (1 John 1:9)
You obey and keep his commandments (1 John 2:3,5 ,1 John 3:24, 1 John 5:2)
You will not hate your brother or sister but love them (1 John 2:9,11 , 1 John 3:10 and 1 John 4:7-8,12-13, 20-21, 2 John 1:5)
You will not love the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15)
You will do the will of God (1 John 2:17)
You believe the divinity of Jesus Christ and that he has come in the flesh (1 John 2:22 and 1 John 4:2-4,15, 2 John 1:7)
Biblical truth will be abiding in you (1 John 2:24)
You understand the righteousnes of Christ (1 John 2:29)
You will be practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29)
You will not habitually practice sin (1 John 3:8,9, 1 John 5:18 )
You will have compassion for those in need (1 John 3:17)
You believe that Jesus is the Christ and is the Son of God (1 John 5:1)
You abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9)
Now am I saying that if you are missing any of these then you are not saved? Of course not. It is not about perfection but about direction. You should be moving in the direction of doing the things above. This is called progressive sanctification where God is doing an inward work in you.
Other questions to ask yourself are:
Am I growing in holiness?
What is my relationship with sin?
Do I have a struggle with sin or do I justify it? (Read Romans 7:7-25)
Do I hate it more and more or do I try and justify it?
Do I have a love for Gods word, the bible?
Do I hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Do I embrace biblical correction from someone else?
Do I have a concern for the lost?
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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greenolive
Community Member
Member # 7703
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posted
I don't know, am I saved or not.
I go to the church every week, pray everyday, and repudiate a job with very good wage, just because too much gray social whirl stick to the works. However I still feel pain in my soul, like a vacuum of universe with out any support.
“How do you know you are saved?” I don’t know.
Dose anybody can share the purpose of life with me.
A little christian far away from China.
Posts: 9 | From: CHINA | Registered: Apr 2009
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Betty Louise
Advanced Member
Member # 7175
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posted
I added the short video to my facebook page.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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Found in Him
Advanced Member
Member # 7596
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posted
1 John 4
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
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~To Him That is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy...to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~ Jude 24
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