May 8th, 2024
“How do I know I’m saved?” Over the years I’ve had many opportunities to counsel people asking this question. As a young person, I often asked this question myself! It’s a common question among Christians: how can I be sure of my salvation?
At the outset of a series on apostasy, it may be helpful to consider this question of assurance. Apostasy is, after all, an “unsettling reality,” and can even cause Christians to have doubts about their own salvation. Whenever I’m asked this question, I list three “tests” of assurance. The first is the objective test.
Throughout scripture, we are confronted with absolute, objective statements and promises. For example, John 3:16 straightforwardly presents God’s love for the world, demonstrated in the giving of His one and only Son. Romans 11:26 reminds us of God’s plan for Israel, even in the future, “And so all Israel will be saved.” These are statements that are settled fact. Nothing will change them. You can “take it to the bank.”
Similarly, there are statements like this related to our salvation. Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.” This does not present a possibility, or even a probability, but a certainty – “shall be saved.” This was Paul’s invitation to the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). The Apostle was so confident in the Lord’s salvation, he offered a guarantee, “believe…and you will be saved.”
Doubting our salvation can come from a number of sources. A particular sin struggle may cause us to question the authenticity of our profession. Satan certainly loves to sow seeds of doubt as well. Seeing those we love fall away can cause a crisis of faith. Whatever the case may be, dwelling on these objective statements and promises can be a balm to the tortured soul.
God does not just offer us, through Christ, the possibility of salvation. We are not given half-hearted promises. No, we can know that we have eternal life. The Apostle John makes this very statement. I John 5:13 reads, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
“How do I know I’m saved?” Well, have you called upon him for salvation? Because the Scripture says, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
At the outset of a series on apostasy, it may be helpful to consider this question of assurance. Apostasy is, after all, an “unsettling reality,” and can even cause Christians to have doubts about their own salvation. Whenever I’m asked this question, I list three “tests” of assurance. The first is the objective test.
Throughout scripture, we are confronted with absolute, objective statements and promises. For example, John 3:16 straightforwardly presents God’s love for the world, demonstrated in the giving of His one and only Son. Romans 11:26 reminds us of God’s plan for Israel, even in the future, “And so all Israel will be saved.” These are statements that are settled fact. Nothing will change them. You can “take it to the bank.”
Similarly, there are statements like this related to our salvation. Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.” This does not present a possibility, or even a probability, but a certainty – “shall be saved.” This was Paul’s invitation to the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). The Apostle was so confident in the Lord’s salvation, he offered a guarantee, “believe…and you will be saved.”
Doubting our salvation can come from a number of sources. A particular sin struggle may cause us to question the authenticity of our profession. Satan certainly loves to sow seeds of doubt as well. Seeing those we love fall away can cause a crisis of faith. Whatever the case may be, dwelling on these objective statements and promises can be a balm to the tortured soul.
God does not just offer us, through Christ, the possibility of salvation. We are not given half-hearted promises. No, we can know that we have eternal life. The Apostle John makes this very statement. I John 5:13 reads, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
“How do I know I’m saved?” Well, have you called upon him for salvation? Because the Scripture says, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
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