I dare say there are very few saved people who have never doubted their salvation at one time or another. It is one way in which Satan uses to hinder Christians causing them to worry constantly about themselves instead of concentrating on the true lost folk. In today’s world we see a lot of anxiety and depression, yes, even in Christians. Satan hits these people extremely hard because he knows their weakness.
However, sometimes the doubt is the Holy Spirit convicting you of the fact that you never truly asked Jesus to save you. I’ve heard people say that there is no shame in falling in the mud, but there is true shame in staying there. I agree! There are many people who have worked in the church all of their lives who are suddenly convicted that they are genuinely not saved! It takes a truckload of courage to stand up before the church and say, “I’m not saved,” after seeming to be doing all the right things for so many years. Yet, they realize that the Bible says you can’t be saved by works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.
Here are a few examples of ways people assume they are saved:
- They really want to be saved (usually at a young age), but they simply walk up to the preacher and tell him. They may even bow down and close their eyes, but they never ask Jesus into their heart.
- A group of kids gather at a church event. One kid is convicted and actually asks Jesus to save them. Their friend or friends want to fit in on what’s happening and they walk up too. They say they want to be saved, but they do not have a change of heart or repent of their sins. They may have even been baptized at the time, but baptism will not save a person. It is only a symbolic gesture of washing away their old sins and becoming a new creature in Christ.
- An adult gets caught in an affair, committing a crime, or is just convicted about not living a Godly life. They get caught up in the music. They want to do what is right. They want to be forgiven. What the preacher says sounds true. Yet, they only want the forgiveness of the people in the crowd. They are not concerned about the true forgiveness of God. In short, they are sorry they got caught by the church crowd. They promise to do better, but have not asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins and be Lord of their lives. These people have a church experience, but are headed back to their old lifestyle the same week.
- They are dedicated to attending nearly every service that the doors are opened. They give far above the ten percent tithe. They may have helped build the church. Their parents, grandparents, and great-great grandparents were members of the church. They feel like they have earned the Christian title.
If all of these incidents prove that a person is not saved, how does a person TRULY KNOW that they are saved? I’m so glad you asked!
First, let me just tell you what a non-believing psychiatrist told their patient who was in constant fear of being lost, even after begging God to save them three different occasions in church: “I don’t know God personally, but I can’t imagine a loving God rejecting anyone who comes to him crying and begging for him to save them.” The fact is that we have to accept in faith that Jesus will save us because he loves us.
Admit that I am a sinner –
As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Realize that I cannot save myself-
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life. Romans 6:23
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is non other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy has saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5
Believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me of my sins-
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Who his own self in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye are healed. 1 Peter 2:24
Repent and ask Jesus to save me.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
Turn from my wicked ways.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
Confess Jesus before men.
9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
There have been times in my past when Satan attacked me and tried to tell me that I was not saved. Fortunately, God had already had a plan in motion. He used these same verses to help me to stop Satan in his tracks. My prayer is that if you or one of your loved ones are ever under the same attack of fear, you will know where to turn to in order to become a more effective Christian in your journey through this life.
Most importantly, if you now realize that you are not a Christian, but you want to be, you can follow the steps above. Then, find a strong Bible believing church in order to continuously grow as a Christian!
