Assurance of Salvation
What assurance do you have of salvation? The most important question in the world is whether or not you are saved. It is possible for a person to be certain of salvation, while actually being headed to eternal punishment in hell. Jesus spoke of some persons like that in Matthew 7:20-23. God's Word says to test and examine if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Therefore, even if you are sure you are going to heaven, you must make sure that it is your eternal destination.
Below are some proofs commonly used, but which are inadequate as evidences of salvation:
- change or cessation of some behaviors and activities
- membership in a church
- baptism
- participation in church activities
- witnessing to others about salvation
- able to teach/preach about subjects in the Bible
- zeal and diligence in doing religious activities
- family members are saved
- friendship with many nice people
- not as bad as some other people
- many people think you are a good person
- many people think you are saved
- sympathy for people who are suffering
- happiness about one's own life
- success in endeavors
- good health
- realize the importance of a relationship with God
- sincerity of belief*
- know and believe true facts about God, Jesus, and salvation*
- think Christianity (the gospel) is true*
- deep awareness of God's majesty*
- intense positive feelings about Jesus
- powerful sense of God's presence
- constant desire to please God
- strong perception of God giving you directions
- powerful religious/spiritual experiences
- good feelings about one's relationship with God
Some of the above things may be helpful to motivate a person to seek and receive salvation. However, none or all of them combined together are sure indicators of salvation. The correctness of this statement is shown in that all of them can be true about unsaved individuals. In general, the items above can be described as actions, experiences, situations, thoughts, and feelings - all of which are areas where deception is possible.
Some of the above are indicative of a person who is saved (such as the items with *), but none of them (by themselves) give salvation. For example, knowledge of certain truths is necessary for salvation, but the knowledge alone will not save (James 2:19). Even all of the above together are not a means to salvation.
Since salvation is through belief, valid evidences of salvation indicate saving belief. This belief is 'belief in Jesus,' which means the person trusts exclusively in the person and work of Jesus for salvation - the only way to God is through who Jesus is and what He has done. The person relies completely on the death of Jesus for forgiveness of sin. The person depends on Jesus' instructions and commands for knowing how to live. (John 3:15; Romans 6:18, 22; 2 Corinthians 5:15)
A person who has been saved knows the way to heaven (knows and understands the Gospel). The person knows why Christ died for sinners, understands how Christ's blood can pay the penalty for all sins, and relies on this payment as the sufficient, effective, and only means for salvation. The person knows that Jesus rose from the dead and will also give eternal life to those who believe in Him. Thus, a saved person relies on Jesus to give life to him/her and submits to Jesus as the master of one's life. The person has gladly and willingly yielded to Jesus' will. (1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 9:28; Titus 3:5; Romans 10:9-10)
The person has repented of sin and has been changed. The change is more than an outward change - quitting certain things and starting other things. Instead, the person has been changed in the inner person. Results of the inner change are seen in outward actions. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:18; Ephesians 2:10)
A saved person has love for Jesus characterized by service and obedience to Him, not by feelings. (Some individuals' love for Jesus is false; it is a love for a "Jesus of their own making" instead of the Jesus presented in the Bible.) A true love for Jesus can be identified by its love for things associated with Jesus - a desire to learn and obey God's Word and a sacrificial love that does what is best for other people (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 3:14; 5:2). Love for Jesus rejoices in God not in anything else, including self and what self does.
A saved person acknowledges one's own lack of goodness (Romans 3:23). The person sees self as deserving of eternal punishment, unworthy of God's favor, and unable to be good enough or do enough to deserve heaven.
One who has been saved by Jesus realizes God is holy - God is pure and perfect in all His being, and He requires holiness of us (1 Peter 1:15-16). The person appreciates Jesus' loveliness and holiness. One whom God has saved serves and loves Jesus because of a realization that Jesus is worthy of praise and honor, not because of how self may benefit from things like warm feelings, strong emotions, or praise from others. False love and service is recognized by pride in one's experiences, humility, service, or love. True love for Jesus humbles the person and exalts Jesus. Resulting service to Jesus is a participation in Jesus' greatness, not in one's own goodness (Hebrews 12:10; 2 Peter 1:4). The gift of eternal life with God has already begun in a person who is saved. Through His Word and His Spirit, Jesus is living in the person (1 John 2:14; 3:24; 4:16; Colossians 1:27).
Do you have evidences of salvation? Are you:
- trusting in Jesus' death alone for forgiveness of sins?
- depending upon Jesus' resurrection power for eternal life?
- willingly submitting to Jesus as Lord of your life?
- learning and following God's Word?
- worshipping God in humility?
Make sure you are trusting in Jesus alone, not in personal experiences, knowledge, feelings, activities, thoughts, or desires.
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