OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: SATURDAY, JULY 15TH 2017- SALVATION: HOW GENUINE?

Memorise: He that convereth his sins shall not proper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13
Read: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-11
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Bible in one year: 2nd Samuel 5-6, Ezekiel 8:7-18

1. God’s offer of salvation is for all those who come to Him.
2. To access this salvation however, there are certain criteria you must meet. For instance, you cannot experience salvation without genuine repentance.
3. Unfortunately, there are people who think that they can be saved even without repenting of their sins.
4. Some people believe that responding to an altar call for salvation is enough. No, it is not!
5. Can you believe that when some people come out to answer an altar call, instead of repenting of their sinful lifestyle, they take pictures? Those who do so can only come out and go back the same way they came. This will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name! Heaven’s demands for obtaining salvation are clearly stated in Proverbs 28:13: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
6. If you do not satisfy Heaven’s demand of confessing your sins to God and forsaking your sinful lifestyle, you will never be saved.
7. If you claim to be born again, how did you get saved? Did you confess your sins to God out of a sorrowful heart and resolve not to return to your sinful lifestyle? If your salvation lacks these key foundational pillars, you will need to revisit the salvation experience.
8. In Luke 13:2-5, Jesus plainly taught His hearers that except they repented, they would perish like those who went before them. God does not want anyone to perish, but He wants us all to repent (2nd Peter 3:9). God wants you to change your ways and to stop doing the wicked things you do. It is then you will obtain mercy from Him.
9. Today, the term “born again” has been so abused. Many people say they are born again but they do not even know what it means. If you are truly born again, you will receive genuine salvation that will completely turn your life around (2nd Corinthians 5:17).
10. When you come out to receive Jesus, you come out because you are truly sorry for your sins; you come out with a determination to change your ways.
11. You need to come to the altar of God crying to Him for help, not only to forgive you your sins but to also change you inside out. When you do this, you will obtain salvation. 2nd Corinthians 7:10 says it is godly sorrow that brings about the repentance that yield salvation. Are you really born again? If your salvation is not genuine, go back to the cross of Calvary today!

When a sinner genuinely repent of his or her sinful way, such sinner is doing no one favour but himself or herself. It is therefore unreasonable for such person to step out for repentance and not do it genuinely. Peradventure anyone falls in this category, it is wise for such person to go to Jesus’ feet truly and genuinely for a change as fast as possible. May devil’s plight never stand in our lives in Jesus name. We are grateful to God for blessing us with Pastor E.A Adeboye who daily through the Holy Spirit enlighten in the things of God. May he increase in wisdom in Jesus name.

Key Point
Fake salvation can never produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
HYMN
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, No turning back
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
Though none go with me still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
My cross I’ll carry, till i see Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
 
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
No turning back, No turning back

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