Are you sure you are saved? Are you sure your loved ones are saved? How can you tell?

3 tests:
1) How you’ve waited
2) How you’ve stewarded
3) How you’ve treated

There are three parables (stories) Jesus told back to back to back right before he was to be crucified. (Matt 25:1-46) And these stories are regarding those who go to heaven or hell. Jesus through these stories tell us who will go to heaven and who will go to hell.

Story 1: The Ten Virgins
Ten virgins were waiting for the arrival of the groom. They all fell asleep. 5 had extra oils but the other 5 didn’t. The ones who had oil got to go to the banquet and the ones who didn’t didn’t.
– Point: Those who lived patiently waiting for Christ’s return go to heaven.

Story 2: The Talents
Three servants receive 5 talents, 2 talents, and 1. The ones who received 5 and 2 gained 5 and 2 more, respectively and get praised. The one with 1 buries it and gives it back to the master. He is rejected.
– Point: Those who have faithfully stewarded their talents go heaven.

Story 3: The Sheep and The Goats
The goats are on the left. They are the ones who didn’t serve the people of God. They go to hell. The sheep are on the right. They are the ones who served the people of God. They go to heaven.
– Point: Those who treated fellow Christians as they would Christ go to heaven.

We need to be very seriously concerned about those who are living as if Christ is not returning anytime soon – failing test 1. Or those who are wasting their talents on their own fulfillment – failing test 2. Or those who are not serving other brothers and sisters – failing test 3.

This shows that their faith in Christ was NOT genuine. Do not be deceived. Asking Jesus to come into our hearts means that these things will necessarily follow. If these things (passing the 3 tests) don’t follow, then it shows that we were never saved.

Be saved, please! Warn your loved ones who are not saved. Not involved in a church? That probably shows that he/she is not saved. (failing test 3)

PH