How I Know...

How I Know...6-2-25

Our message yesterday was on Lot. You know the story, but the gist is that she looked back and became a pillar of salt. Our pastor brought up something that I have thought about and asked myself so many times. How do I know that I'm actually saved? How do I know that I won't stand before God and He say those words? Matthew 7:21-23, "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’". Reddit calls this the most terrifying verse in the Bible. I would partially agree. It has caused me pause and still does.

But the answer to this question is in these verses. Matthew 7:15-20, "“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.".

I sent up a prayer to help me find the picture for this blog. Look at the image above. We simply added yeast to flour, water, and sugar. The result is carbon dioxide released. The balloons inflate with the amount of release. The yeast is God. The active ingredient. As we come to know God, ask Him into our hearts, and let Him use us, we grow. The more He works in us, the more we grow. The carbon dioxide in the balloon is our fruit. The works performed from God through us. Yes, there will be those around us that are "religious", but not saved. They will show some fruit, like the smaller balloon. But just like the verse above, the balloon (fruit) doesn't last long and quickly deflates.

You see, I have to trust that God bears my fruit to others and He knows my heart. I want to be so full of Him that my balloon expands to past its limitations of this world. I do worry that others will look at me and see empty words or "religious". I don't want to appear fake. I want people to see my heart. I don't want to fool anybody. I want everyone to see God through me. Only Jesus.