THIS SECTION IS IN-PROGRESS.
WRAP-UP TO CONSIDER YOUR ANSWERS
Except for describing the “irreducible minimum” of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ in Chapter 3, this Chapter 13 has been the most difficult for me to write. I have come to the point in The Salvation Meter to define the entire forest and not get caught up in the trees. I feel as though I am looking at a bowl of alphabet soup with all the necessary letters, but now I have to spell out the words. While spelling out the words is not easy, it is a “good thing” because your journey through The Salvation Meter is almost done!
This reminds me of my feelings on the last day of a Christian education seminar. While there was a sense of satisfaction that the seminar is near completion, there was a sadness about leaving the fellowship and pure joy that came from immersing oneself in God’s Word in the company of God’s people. So, in a way, I hope you have the same bittersweet feeling about almost completing The Salvation Meter.
Through using The Salvation Meter, I hope that you have gained a better understanding of your relationship with God through Jesus Christ, His Son, by now. Possibly, while using The Salvation Meter, you came to appreciate your lost condition and took action to respond to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. I rejoice to know that you began as a hell-bound child of the devil and are now a heaven-bound child of the King! Should that be your story, all the energy I spent writing The Salvation Meter has been worth it.
If you began your journey with The Salvation Meter as a self-doubting believer and now possess complete assurance of your salvation living a victorious Christian life, then praise God! Your life is on course from one that was shrouded in clouds to one in God’s bright light. Again, all the energy I spent in writing The Salvation Meter has been worth it.
Even if you started using The Salvation Meter as a fully assured believer and now have a better direction to optimize your spiritual growth, that too is grounds to praise the Lord! Your story encourages me that the time spent writing The Salvation Meter was not in vain.
The purpose of Chapter 13 is to assist you in evaluating the overall impact of your answers in The Salvation Meter. Salvation does not exhibit a “degree of salvation,” i.e., you cannot be 60% saved. You are either a child of God or a child of the devil, and the difference is infinite. Therefore, throughout The Salvation Meter, you recorded your rating of agreement or disagreement with various conditions and statements in your Personal Salvation Assessment. If I suggest you talk to the teacher or facilitator of the course, please understand you can also contact us.
The Salvation Meter requires that you conduct a rigorous self-examination of the factors that reveal your spiritual condition, i.e., saved or lost, and your spiritual growth. Indicators 1-A through 1-F reflect your willingness to spend the time and effort to use The Salvation Meter. If you have made it this far, you made the investment, so in all likelihood, your ratings in these indicators are moot.
Like receiving curative medicine, it is critical you trusted in the saving Jesus Christ of the Bible who satisfies the criteria of Indicators 2-A through 2-I, which pertains to the Person of Jesus Christ and Jesus’ role and work related to your salvation. If your ratings for Indicators 2-A through 2-I are anything other than agreement, i.e., “strongly agree” or “moderately agree.” I strongly urge you to revisit your conversion event. To disagree with any of these indicators may reveal that you are lost. These indicators are sufficiently fundamental that even a “neutral” rating should cause you to review your conversion. It would be best if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Please keep in mind that when you heard and responded to the gospel, the attributes of Indicators 2-A through 2-I may not have been set out in bullet point format, and they did not have to be. For example, John 3:16 (ASV 1901) reads:
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
You satisfied Indicators 2-A through 2-I if you heard and trusted in the gospel according to John 3:16. The deity and humanity of Jesus, His sacrificial death, and physical bodily resurrection are inherent in the teaching of John 3:16.
As a final point, Jesus’ ascension is an important historical fact, but it is not critical to trust for salvation.
Indicators 3-A through 3-C correspond to miraculous transformations that occurred upon your salvation. You should possess some sense that these conditions exist in you. Therefore, you ought to rate all of these indicators 3-A through 3-C as “strongly agree” or “moderately agree.” If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. Again, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Indicators 4-A and 4-B relate to the indwelling by, and work of, the Holy Spirit in your life. Referring to Indicator 4-A, you should have a sense that the Holy Spirit indwells you. Therefore, your rating should be in one of the “agree” categories. Indicator 4-B should be based on objective actions that define your life. The fruit of the Spirit manifests itself in physical actions and objective attitudes. While you may not manifest every fruit of the Spirit, you should display a majority or even most of them in your life. Therefore, your rating for Indicator 4-B should be in one of the “agree” categories.
If your rating for indicators 4-A and 4-B is neutral, you should reassess your rating. If your rating for any one of Indicators 4-A and 4B is in one of the two “disagree” categories, you should revisit your conversion event. Again, it would be best if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Indicator 4-C pertains to the “deeds of the flesh” so that your rating should be opposite to your ratings of the fruit of the Spirit (Indicator 4-B). Your rating for Indicator 4-C should be in one of the “disagree” categories. If your rating for indicator 4-C is in the neutral category, you should reassess your rating. If your rating for Indicators 4-C is in one of the two “agree” categories, you should revisit your conversion event, as well as talk with the teacher or facilitator. .
Your ratings for Indicators 5-A through 5-C and Indicators 6-A through 6-E should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains a “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. In addition, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Your ratings for Indicators 7-A, 7-B, 7-E, and 7-F should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains a “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. Again, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
The tests of salvation that correspond to Indicators 7-C and 7-D indicate spiritual growth and not so much determinative of salvation. It would be a sign of spiritual growth if you rated these indicators in one of the “agree” categories. A rating of “neutral” or “moderately disagree” should cause you to reassess your rating, and if it remains the same, you should talk with the teacher or facilitator. If your rating is a “strongly disagree,” you should talk with the teacher or facilitator.
Your ratings for Indicators 8-A and 8-B should not be in one of the “disagree” or “neutral” categories. If they are, you should reassess your rating, and if it remains the same, you should talk with the teacher or facilitator. A rating in one of the “agree” categories is evidence of spiritual growth.
Your rating for Indicator 8-C should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. Again, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Your ratings for Indicators 9-A through 9-E should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains a “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. In addition, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Your ratings for Indicators 10-A, 10-B, 10-E, and 10-F should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains a “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. Again, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Your ratings for Indicators 10-C and 10-D should not be in one of the “disagree” or “neutral” categories. If they are, you should reassess your rating, and if it remains the same you should talk with the teacher or facilitator. A rating in one of the “agree” categories is evidence of spiritual growth.
Your ratings for Indicators 11-A through 11-C and 12-A through 12-C should be in one of the “agree” categories. If you rated any of them as “neutral,” you ought to reassess your rating. If it remains a “neutral,” you may want to talk with your teacher or facilitator. If you rated any of them with a “disagree” rating, you should revisit your conversion event. In addition, it would be beneficial if you talked to the teacher or facilitator of the course.
Now that you have worked your way through the wrap-up, I hope you have a definite sense of the presence or absence of your salvation. The final three questions for you to answer are below.
First, if you were a self-doubting believer, has The Salvation Meter helped you settle the issue about your salvation once-and-for-all so that you know you are saved? Are you on the way to live the confident victorious abundant Christian life with complete assurance that your heavenly home awaits you?
Second, if you were a self-deceived person (churchgoer or not) or a “good works outweigh bad acts” person who was lost, did The Salvation Meter help you come face-to-face with your lost condition so that you exercised biblical saving faith in response to the call of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ? And now you are on your way to living the confident victorious abundant Christian life with complete assurance that your heavenly home awaits you?
Third, if you are a believer with complete assurance, has The Salvation Meter assisted you to monitor the progress of your spiritual growth so that you can make adjustments to strengthen those areas that need improvement? Are you on your way to experiencing an ever deeper relationship with God?
Personal Salvation Assessment
| No. | Indicator | Response |
| CHAPTER 1 | ||
| 1-A | Question 1-9: Are you willing to invest the time and energy to use The Salvation Meter? | |
| 1-B | Question 1-15: For a lost person, should you realize your need for salvation, are you willing to cry out to God for salvation? | |
| 1-C | Question 1-23: For the self-doubting believer, are you willing to make the investment to use The Salvation Meter? | |
| 1-D | Question 1-27: Are you a self-deceived religious lost person? | |
| 1-E | Question 1-29: Are you a “good works outweigh bad acts” lost person? | |
| 1-F | Question 1-33: For the assured believer, are you willing to use The Salvation Meter? | |
| 1-G | Question 1-51: Do you believe you can have complete assurance of your salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 2 | ||
| 2-A | Question 2-3: Do you believe in the preexistence of Jesus Christ and all it entails? | |
| 2-B | Question 2-6: Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the “Son of God” and all it entails? | |
| 2-C | Question 2-9: Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ and all it entails? | |
| 2-D | Question 2-13: Do you believe that Jesus Christ was sent into the world by God the Father? | |
| 2-E | Question 2-17 Do you believe that one objective of Jesus coming to earth was to take away the sin of the world and destroy the works of the devil? | |
| 2-F | Question 2-21: Do you believe that Jesus was 100% God and 100% human? | |
| 2-G | Question 2-25: Do you believe that Jesus is sinless (i.e., perfect)? | |
| 2-H | Question 2-29: Do I believe that Jesus died a physical death? | |
| 2-I | Question 2-33: Do you believe that Jesus experienced a physical bodily resurrection from death to life? | |
| 2-J | Question 2-37: Do you believe that the resurrected Jesus Christ ascended to God the Father in heaven? | |
| CHAPTER 3 | ||
| 3-A | Question 3-21: Do you agree that you are a new creation in Christ? | |
| 3-B | Question 3-25: Do you agree that you have a new heart? | |
| 3-C | Question 3-29: Do you agree that you are “born again?” | |
| CHAPTER 4 | ||
| 4-A | Question 4-6: Do you sense that you indwelt by the Holy Spirit? | |
| 4-B | Question 4-49: Do you display the fruit of the Spirit in your life? | |
| 4-C | Question 4-50: Do you display the deeds of the flesh in your life? | |
| CHAPTER 5 | ||
| 5-A | Question 5-10: Do you satisfy the “a believer abides in God” test of salvation? | |
| 5-B | Question 5-21: Do you satisfy the “a believer has biblical fellowship” test of salvation? | |
| 5-C | Question 5-28: Do you satisfy the “a believer has experiential knowledge of God” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 6 | ||
| 6-A | Question 6-11: Do you satisfy the “a believer hungers and thirsts for God” test of salvation? | |
| 6-B | Question 6-20: Do you satisfy the “a believer possesses spiritual discernment” test of salvation? | |
| 6-C | Question 6-24: Do you satisfy the “a believer has been given understanding” test of salvation? | |
| 6-D | Question 6-28: Do you satisfy the “a believer has knowledge of the truth” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 7 | ||
| 7-A | Question 7-11: Do you satisfy the “a believer is obedient to God” test of salvation? | |
| 7-B | Question 7-18: Do you satisfy the “a believer serves other believers” test of salvation? | |
| 7-C | Question 7-31: Do you satisfy the “a believer is a Bible engager” test of salvation? Am I a Bible engager? | |
| 7-D | Question 7-37: Do you satisfy the “a believer is a learner” test of salvation? | |
| 7-E | Question 7-47: Do you satisfy the “a believer is a worshipper of God” test of salvation? | |
| 7-F | Question 7-51: Do you satisfy the “a believer is a part of a local church body” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 8 | ||
| 8-A | Question 8-7: Do you satisfy the “a believer practices biblical stewardship of time” test of salvation? | |
| 8-B | Question 8-16: Do you satisfy the “a believer practices biblical stewardship of financial resources” test of salvation? | |
| 8-C | Question 8-22: Do you satisfy the “a believer has a concern for the temporal needs of other believers” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 9 | ||
| 9-A | Question 9-5: Do you satisfy the “a believer walks in the light” test of salvation? | |
| 9-B | Question 9-9: Do you satisfy the “a believer confesses the Son (Jesus Christ)” test of salvation? | |
| 9-C | Question 9-16: Do you satisfy the “a believer practices righteousness” test of salvation? | |
| 9-D | Question 9-30: Do you satisfy the “a believer experiences increasing sanctification” test of salvation? | |
| 9-E | Question 9-39: Do you satisfy the “a believer is sensitive to sin” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 10 | ||
| 10-A | Question 10-21: Do you satisfy the “a believer loves other believers” test of salvation? | |
| 10-B | Question 10-29: Do you satisfy the “a believer is a forgiver” test of salvation? | |
| 10-C | Question 10-35: Do you satisfy the “a believer wants the lost to be saved” test of salvation? | |
| 10-D | Question 10-42: Do you satisfy the “a believer ought to practice evangelisms” test of salvation? | |
| 10-E | Question 10-49: Do you satisfy the “a believer experiences answered prayers” test of salvation? | |
| 10-F | Question 10-53: Do you satisfy the “a believer prays for a sinning believer” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 11 | ||
| 11-A | Question 11-8: Do you satisfy the “a believer is hated by the world” test of salvation? | |
| 11-B | Question 11-15: Do you satisfy the “a believer is not known by the world” test of salvation? | |
| 11-C | Question 11-25 Do you satisfy the “a believer does not love the world and its practices” test of salvation? | |
| 11-D | Question 11-38: Do you satisfy the “a believer keeps from idols” test of salvation? | |
| CHAPTER 12 | ||
| 12-A | Question 12-8: Do you satisfy the “a believer hopes in Jesus’ Second Coming” test of salvation? | |
| 12-B | Question 12-14: Do you satisfy the “a believer has no fear & has confidence in Jesus’ Second Coming” test of salvation? | |
| 12-C | Question 12-19: Do you satisfy the “a believer is an overcomer” test of salvation? |
The Salvation Meter 