There is no doubt that Christians often want assurance of their salvation. Sometimes you just doubt your salvation because it feels like you are not living according to the word of God. However, we are humans, and doubting is part of us. So, here is how to know if you’re saved by Jesus.
The Bible teaches about salvation which helps you as a Christian to understand your salvation. Accepting Jesus as a personal savior and asking him to take charge of your life helps you know that you are saved. Also, with Jesus, you will find that you are free from sin and can live a life that pleases God.
So what does it mean to be saved by Jesus? Is there assurance for salvation? What are three signs to know that you are saved? Reasons why you doubt your salvation? How to resolve a doubt about your salvation. Does the Bible teach Christians how to know when they are saved? What are Bible verses about salvation? Read on to find out.
What does it mean to be saved by Jesus?
According to the Bible, it means that you have accepted your sinfulness and accepted Jesus to help you shun the evil ways that will lead you to hell. You admit that you are among the sinners who need salvation and can only receive it through accepting Christ. Romans 3:23 says that “everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence.” This verse implies that you are too sinful to be close to God’s presence; therefore, you need Jesus to save you.
Being saved by Jesus implies that you have received Him as your personal savior and believe in His complete work. You trust that He fought it all for you through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Here are a few more definitions of being saved.
- It implies that your sins have been pardoned.
- You have become free from guilt, and God can consider you righteous after justification through Jesus Christ.
- Being saved means that you have been granted eternal life.
- Being saved is equal to being born again in Christ
- Being saved is when you have a personal relationship with God and are free to have an intimate relationship with God.
- To be saved is to be given a chance not to face the punishment of sin, which is eternal death.
- To be saved is to receive light in one life.
- To be saved also means that you do not fear death because you believe in the second coming of Christ, and at that time when it happens, you will conquer death.
Is there assurance for salvation?
There is the assurance of salvation which is the truth of the word of God. The word of God in 1st John 5:11-13 gives Christians assurance of their salvation by telling Christians if they have Jesus in their lives, they are saved. John 3:16 echoes the same thing, and also, believing that Jesus died for us and paid the penalty of our sins is assurance.
Three signs to know that you are saved
You have a unique sense of freedom when you are saved
Things that have been denying you freedom, including bitterness, heartaches, and envy, among others, are no longer holding you captive. You feel so free in the soul that you let go of all the pain in your past life. When you feel this kind of freedom, know that you are saved.
You have accepted Jesus as your personal savior.
You give yourself up to Jesus and trust Him to walk you on the right path. When you accept Him as a savior, you will find it easier to obey the commandments of God. Also, with Jesus in your life, you will never get enough of God’s word. Lastly, you can notice a lot of change in yourself from worse to better.
You believe that you are forgiven.
Once you are confident that you are free from your sins because Jesus’ blood did the forgiving, you know you are saved. All sins, when you accept Christ and repent, are forgiven. There is no self-doubt and guilt tripping because Jesus has forgiven you.
Reasons why you doubt your salvation
You misunderstand the whole plan of salvation.
Often mistakes include when you recall the moments you prayed during your salvation journey, and that is a little misleading. Praying and fasting are all good for Christianity but trusting is the real deal. You will question your salvation and doubt it during periods when you do not trust God, even if you are fasting and praying. See, this is clearly a misunderstanding of the plan.
When you encounter teachings that are not entirely Biblical.
In the current world, there are so many false ministers who claim to be preaching the gospel, yet all they do is brainwash people by preaching the Bible out of context. When you encounter several preaching out of context, they confuse you and make you think that you are not trying to practice Christianity.
For example, 1st John 4:2 is preached out of context, and many Christians doubt their salvation because people say that it means if you hate your brother, you do not know God. However, in reality, it means you cannot love God when you hate your brother. This is so different from what people say: you do not know God, yet you have been serving him for some time, if not since childhood. Such preaching makes you doubt your salvation because, in the first place, they imply that you do not know God.
When you experience doubt, know that you are heavy on condemnation and not a conviction.
When you focus so much on your sins and not the fact that they can be forgiven, you condemn yourself. It leads to despair and self-doubt about your salvation.
How to resolve a doubt about your salvation
Read the Bible religiously and ask the Holy Spirit to help you interpret it well.
Reading the Bible will help you understand the word of God and meditate upon it. It will bring the truth to you that will reduce the doubts that you have yourself. Your relationship with God will grow because of the truth you know from the Bible, and our kind God will make you wise enough to deal with the doubt.
Be alert to know when it’s Satan’s work and resist.
One thing about the devil confirmed in the Bible is that He comes to steal, destroy and kill. Although Satan is too powerless to snatch you from God, He will influence your self-doubt and make you so anxious. However, when Satan sends doubts so you can protect yourself with the book of Ephesians 6:16-17 which says, “ At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword the Spirit gives you.” This verse is very helpful during the moments when you feel like you doubt your salvation because it renders Satan powerless.
Ask God to help you get rid of the doubt.
Remember in the Bible when Jesus was walking on water and called out to Peter to come to meet Him? Peter walked on water even though the wind was getting too much. He then doubted himself and started sinking. You see, even in the presence of Jesus, He was full of doubts which means it is normal. However, Peter called out to Jesus for help in Matthew 14:30 “ But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.” Just like Peter, cry out to God Almighty because He can remove all doubt.
Learn to differentiate conviction from condemnation
Conviction should be part of your life as a Christian because it leads you to a realization about sins, then you can confess and repent. Condemnation is the exact opposite, you feel too guilty to confess, and you have no hope of being forgiven. However, when you are saved, a conviction will make you feel more sinful than you ever felt. But if you are convicted, this is the Holy Spirit telling you it’s time to repent; go get your forgiveness from God. 1st John 1:8-9 says, “ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us and purify us from all our wrongdoing.”
Does the Bible teach Christians how to know when they are saved?
Yes, there are Bible verses that teach Christians about salvation. John 3:16 is one of the verses which simply says that you are saved if you believe in Jesus Christ. Also, Acts 2:37-41 says that once you turn away from sin and seek Jesus to forgive your sins, you know you are saved.
Bible verses about salvation
Romans 6:23 says, “For sin pays its wage—death; but God’s free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we talk of salvation, we mean being saved from worldly things and warning of eternal life. The verse implies that sinners (those who are not saved) will not have eternal life because they will die forever. Those who have received salvation will have eternal life.
Philippians 2:12-13 says, “So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.” Your salvation is entirely dependent on God, and He makes you willing enough to be obedient.
References
10 Key Bible Verses on Salvation
What Does It Mean To Be Saved?
4 Reasons People Doubt Their Salvation
How can I resolve doubts about my salvation?
How can I have the assurance of my salvation?
10 Important Signs to Know if You are Saved by God
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
