When asked the question, “Are you saved?” Many people who believe they are saved try to prove it by describing their own actions and experiences. They may say things like “I accepted Jesus as my personal saviour when I was a young person;” or “I was baptized when I was 12 years old;” or “I gave my heart to Jesus and joined the church many years ago.” Some may even say things like “I had a dream (or a vision) that turned my life around;” or “I had a near-death experience that caused me to turn my life around;” or “I quit smoking, drinking,” etc. The problem is that in seeking to prove salvation by such things, people are really describing their own qualifications for salvation. The truth is this – WE AS SINNERS HAVE NO QUALIFICATIONS BY WHICH TO PROVE WE ARE SAVED. If we are truly saved by the grace of God, it is not our own qualifications but THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CHRIST WHO IS OUR SAVIOUR. I can only prove my own personal salvation to anyone by describing the qualifications of my Saviour. He is both God and man in one Person (John 1:1; John 1:14; Romans 1:1-4). He is the one appointed of God to be the Saviour of His elect (Isaiah 42:1-4; Galatians 4:4-6). He is the one who died and put away my sins (Hebrews 1:1-3). He is the one who arose from the dead because He finished the work of redemption for me (Romans 4:23-25). He is the LORD my Righteousness by whom I stand justified before God (Jeremiah 23:5-7). He is my Advocate who always intercedes to plead my case (1st John 2:1-2). He is the one who preserves and protects me to the end (Jude 24-25). He is the one who is coming again to take me into glory with Him (Philippians 3:20-21). He is the one who is able to save me completely and eternally (Hebrews 7:25). Those who fancy themselves saved will most always talk about themselves and their own qualifications. Those who are truly saved will most certainly talk about Jesus Christ the Saviour of His people.

W. Parker