How can I know that I am saved? This is a very common question in the community of Christians. It is a very important question, and one that simply must be answered individually.
To demonstrate the importance of this discovery, Jesus Christ gave us all the following warning in Matthew 7:21-23:
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven...On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
In other words, there are people sitting in churches, all over the world, believing that they are Christians, who are simply deluded, and headed for eternal destruction in hell.
"Wow!, that's harsh", you say. You are right, it is very harsh. But if you read the Bible, it is clear. Jesus didn't want any confusion in this matter.
How can I know that I am saved?
Thankfully, God answers this question, in the Scriptures. Please join me as we explore this most vital question of all questions...
From my understanding, it seems that primarily two false convictions give rise to the fallacious belief of saving faith:
1. I am basically a good person. If you put my good deeds, and my bad deeds, on a scale, my good deeds would outweigh the bad. Therefore, I am going to heaven.
2. I said the prayer. I asked Jesus to come into my heart. It's is kind of like a "get out of hell" card. My life really hasn't changed much, but I said the prayer. I believe in that prayer. I was very sincere when I prayed that prayer. That prayer saved me, right?
If you are relying on either of these convictions, for your eternal security, I plead with you, pull out your Bible and read it. These are both lies. The second one is clearly the most cleaver of Satan's lies. Saving faith is not found in a prayer. Saving faith is found only in belief (trust) in Jesus Christ.
A saving salvation is found through the following path:
- God's effectual call. God calls us to himself through his word (the Bible). This is many times accomplished by the hearing of his word (through a preacher) or simply reading his word.
- When we respond to God's summons, then a miracle happens in your life. Your dead soul is brought to life through regeneration. This process all begins with your simple, childlike, saving faith, followed by sincere repentance.
- Then, Jesus Christ stands before the holy and just Father, and justifies us. When God looks at us, he sees Christ and not our sin!
- Through all of these most precious gifts, God, the Father of the universe, then adopts us into his family to become sons! As sons, we inherit the gift of eternal life!
This is the holy path to eternal, saving faith in Christ.
It is not necessary for you to understand all of this to become "saved". However, it is critically important that you truly believe, place your faith in Jesus Christ, and respond to God's call.
Belief in Christ is so much more than belief in a prayer!
If you are hearing God tugging on your heart right now, respond to him. Simply step out in simple faith and believe.
God will do the rest.
Once you do this, then take some time, go back and study all these links. All of heaven cheers at the saving of one soul. If this is you, then ALL of heaven is cheering right now.
However, Satan will now go to work trying to undue your step of faith. Therefore, it is critical that you immediately spend some time in God's word. All these links above will help you with that.
Secondly, make certain that another Christian knows of this new step in your life and immediately find a church that will disciple you in your new walk in life, as a Christian.
Thirdly, drop me a e-mail. I would be incredibly honored to know of your newfound faith. When I hear from you, I have a few wonderful links for you to check out that I will forward to you.
Welcome to the family of Christ!
Note: this is part one of this topic. I will come back and include a link to part two: How can I know that I am indeed a Christian?
