You guessed it. A play-on-the-line comedian Jeff Foxworthy uses, “You might be a redneck if…” So how do you know if you might not be saved? Well, read on as I will get into how “you might not be saved if.” I’m not going to give it away yet. So read on!
Disclaimer: This isn’t about whether you are actually saved or not. There is no mistake, Jesus is indeed who He said He was and is. He’s not just a good teacher or another prophet. He is God incarnate. And He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In other words, He is the only way to heaven. Here’s more on that – Dead Man Walking.
Does Your Life Ever Feel Like A Battle?
Life is a battle. This can be true for several reasons. One reason could be that you can’t stay out of your own way. No one can. We live in a sin-filled world – the outcome of that can’t be good. Matter of fact, God’s Word tells us that sin has its consequences and creates its own issues. The biggest of these is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death. Meaning that one would be eternally separated from God.
Romans 6:23a NIV
For the wages of sin is death,
Another reason life is a battle is because we have an enemy. His mission is to kill, steal, and destroy. And he does have something to do with this sin thing. Watch out for him…
John 10:10a NIV
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
The Bible mentions several epic battles that took place throughout history. Each of these battles has significant spiritual implications and parallels. The thief, the enemy, wants to take us out of play, and even end our life.
Epic Battle of Exiting (the Exodus) Egypt
The explanation of this one is short and simple. In this battle, the enemy tries to keep us enslaved to sin. Here, we never get to see the life of the Promised Land. A land full of milk and honey. This is an amazing story of how the Israelites even survived, starting with the amazing story of Joseph (and the coat of many colors), allowing for the life of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Fast forward to the amazing story of the Exodus. This leads us to the Promised Land.
Epic Battle of Jericho
After the Israelites left Eygpt (a life of bondage and chains) and entered into the Promised Land (taking the steps to become a Christian), their first battle was the gateway city of Jericho (the enemy battling to keep you out of a relationship with God and keep you out of heaven).
This was a battle that couldn’t be won in the physical. It was a spiritual battle to enter the Promised Land. And for us too, it is a spiritual battle to enter into a relationship with Christ. Scripture tells us that the enemy blinds the minds of unbelievers…
2 Corinthians 4:4 AMP
Among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The enemy will do what it takes to blind our eyes from seeing and experiencing the gospel (good news). And once in the Promised Land (a follower of Christ), the battles continue.
Epic Battle of David and Goliath
This battle, this story, builds courage in men’s hearts when their faith is placed entirely in God. Goliath taunts David, but David’s faith becomes evident when he does not cower under the threats but instead warns Goliath with the hand of God. The armor he rejected represents man’s strength, while David chose the armor of God.
Epic Battle of Gideon and his 300
This is another battle, another story. Gideon and his army of 300 serves as a fantastic reminder that the faith of a few people can go a long way in changing lives around you, and even the course of history itself. Being a follower of Christ means being in community. No matter how small.
Epic Battle of The Woman and The Dragon
We see the Christmas story as cute, a great story. A reason for the season. Exchanging gifts and enjoying family, at least for most. Revelation 12 gives us a different picture. Here, we see the fullness of the devil’s wrath.
The devil knew what was going on. And he had full reign on earth. And now God Himself was going to step foot in his territory? The devil wasn’t having it if he could help it. This battle was indeed epic. If the devil could stop it, it could mean we would be forever stuck in our sin, meaning spiritual death was inevitable.
Of course, we know God won, but it was a battle the devil was all worked up over. He was thrown down. And because he couldn’t destroy God or take out Jesus, the fury of his wrath against God was great. Now we are his target. If he can’t destroy God, he will do all he can to destroy those created in God’s image.
You Might Not Be Saved If…
If you are not a threat to the enemy, if you are not a threat to Satan, you might not be saved. Not saying if you are or aren’t. But if you aren’t saved, you are not a threat. That doesn’t mean he won’t put you in the middle of a battle. Because if he can mess someone else up by using you, he certainly will.
And if someone is not saved, he’s still battling to keep them from the truth. He is even attempting to keep believers from the fullness of the truth.
With battles, just know that God spells it out in scripture. The Old Testament is self-explanatory. It seems like battle after battle. The New Testament from the birth of Jesus to the end is a battle. Don’t be surprised by any battles you are in. Don’t wonder where they might be coming from. I think you already know.
In this post, I am not getting into how to battle, but just be aware. God has prepared us for battle and is with us. And in the second part of John 10:10, Jesus Himself says, after warning us about the enemy…
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].
Just know that in Christ, in being a follower, and being someone who is walking in His steps, the enemy wants to take us out. A true disciple of Christ is a threat to the enemy. The enemy has vowed to take out anyone who is of His image.
Revelation 12:11 NIV
And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony
Challenge of the Week
This week your goal is to know who you are in Christ. Know your story. Your story is that you overcame and conquered the enemy because first and foremost, the blood of the Lamb. And secondly because of the word of your testimony, your story. So be it!
