Return to Holiness (2)

Assurance of Salvation

Do you have nagging doubts about whether you’re saved?

Do you often sense God speaking to your heart or does that idea seem foreign to you?

Do you have a personal relationship with Christ or do you just know facts about Him?

Can you remember a time you were deeply convicted of your lostness?

Can you remember a time when you truly turned from sin and personally surrendered your life to Jesus?

When you made your profession of faith, did you experience a noticeable change in your life?

Do you have absolute peace that you are forgiven of sin and going to heaven?

Do you have a significant desire for Bible reading and prayer?

Do you have a longing to be in church and with God’s people?

Are you known as a person of kindness and love?

How to be Certain of Your Salvation

Genuine Christians testify to a real and personal relationship with Christ. (John 17:3) Not just believing “facts about” God but “knowing God” in a life changing way. They filled the 18 inch gap between head and heart.

Genuine Christians experience true conviction of sin and trust Christ alone for eternal life. (John 16:8; Eph 2:8) Truly saved people can point to this ongoing reality in their life.

Genuine Christians have a supernatural assurance they are saved and forgiven of sin. (Romans 8:16) This doesn’t mean you’ll never doubt but that peace will prevail and overshadow those moments.

Genuine Christians have an ongoing hunger for spiritual growth and turning from sin. (1 John 3:3, 9) If something is alive it will eat and grow. If you can live in sin without guilt you’re probably not saved.

Genuine Christians sense God’s presence and hear God’s voice in their life. (John 10:27) If you never hear God speak you might not have him in your heart. If you never want to read the Bible or pray it’s a sign something is off.

Genuine Christians have a love for the local church and the people of God. (1 John 3:14) A loving and compassionate spirit is the number 1 indicator of Christ alive in you. If there’s no desire to worship and fellowship with believers it’s a sign something is wrong. (1 John 2:19)

Genuine Christians generally can describe a “before and after” when it comes to their conversion story. (2 Cor 5:17) With kids it might not be as pronounced as adults but they will demonstrate some change.

Identifying Sources of Doubt

Some doubt their salvation because they’re in a cold and spiritually backslidden state. Maybe you were never discipled or taught to read the Bible/pray. If God’s Spirit is quenched early and often you’ll lack the fullness of God in your life.

Some doubt their salvation because Satan is accusing and creating doubt in their life. (Revelation 12:10) Satan’s main goal is to destroy the fullness of life that Christ can bring. Learning to engage and overcome spiritual warfare is important in this instance.

Some doubt their salvation because they made a profession of faith that wasn’t really genuine. This is almost never intentional but it is common. Usually, a fresh commitment to Christ will give assurance of salvation.

Giving Your Life to Jesus as Lord

Believe God loves you and wants you to be saved. (John 3:16)

Know God himself is giving you the desire to come to Jesus. (John 6:44)

Know Jesus receives anyone who will sincerely call upon him for salvation. (John 6:37)

Receive eternal life as a free gift of God’s amazing grace. (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8)

Understand Jesus took all your guilt and paid the penalty for your sin. (Isa 53:6; Rom 5:8)

Expect God will give you a new heart and the the grace to fulfill his will for your life. (2 Cor 5:17)

Repent of your sin and surrender your life to Jesus as Lord. (Luke 13:3) Repentance isn’t some human effort that cleanses your sin. It’s a change of mindset that recognizes Jesus’ Lordship and joyful submission to his rule. (John 1:12)

If you believe the seven things stated above then consider the following statements.

I believe Jesus Christ is the only begotton Son of God and died for the sins of the world.

I believe God loves me and gave his Son to prove it.

I believe Jesus took all my sins on Himself and died a sacrificial death to remove my guilt.

I believe if I ask Jesus to forgive me and save me He will answer my prayer.

I believe God’s Spirit has opened my eyes and is drawing me to come to true salvation.

By God’s enabling grace I am now willing to turn from my sins and surrender to Christ’s Lordship.

I am willing right now to trust Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior.

If you can make those statements with true conviction and sincerity then pray the following prayer or words similar to them.

“God I know I am a sinner and deserve eternal death and hell. I know I can do nothing to save myself. But I believe you love me and gave your Son to save me. I am sorry for my sins. By your grace and help I now turn from all my sins. Jesus, please forgive me and come into my heart right now. I trust You to be the Lord and Savior of my life. Both now and forever, I surrender myself to follow you. Help me live for You and serve You every day. Thank You for keeping your promise. Thank you for forgiving all my sins. Thank you for grace to turn from my sins. Thank you for giving me eternal life. In Jesus mighty name I pray - Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer then God will hear it and answer it. (Rom 10:13)