How Do I Know I’m Really Saved?
This is such an important question that it deserves a careful answer.
The Bible clearly teaches that the moment a person turns from his sin and trusts in Jesus to be forgiven of his sin, he is saved (Acts 2:37-41).
*He has passed from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24) and been declared not guilty in God’s court of law (Rom 3:21-26).
*From God’s perspective his salvation is an objective reality that cannot be changed (Rom 8:28-30).
The apostle John wrote his first letter to address this very question:
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
So when we read through John’s letter, we see that he answers this question from several different angles.
The starting point is the person and work of Jesus Christ. He describes Christ as our advocate (1 John 2:1), meaning that he pleads our case before the Father when Satan accuses us. Through his sacrificial death on the cross for our sins Jesus has satisfied God’s righteous wrath against us (1 John 1:7; 2:2; 4:10). By confessing that we believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came in the flesh to save us from our sins we can be confident that we have eternal life (1 John 4:2, 13-15; 5:13).
Therefore “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 John 5:12).
John does not stop there, however. He builds on the foundation of ongoing trust in the person and work of Christ by reminding us about the testimony of the Holy Spirit living inside of believers (1 John 3:24).
The Spirit reminds us of the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done for us (1 John 4:2, 6).
Those who are children of God show their true identity by pursuing a pattern of turning away from sin and towards a life of righteousness (1 John 3:4-10). And when we inevitably fall short of perfect obedience, we have the promise that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9).
So our salvation depends solely on the person and work of Jesus Christ.
*As we continue to trust in him we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus.
God is already the Victor! (1JN 4:4)
Thank You Jesus. Help me be become more and more like You! Amen!
Robert Bagne is the founder and president of The Hope Connection Ministry, a multi-faceted outreach dedicated to moving people forward in hope through the truth of God’s Word. A gifted Bible teacher and strategist, Robert is also co-author and coach of Moving Forward: A Vision Without Action Is Only a Delusion. His professional background includes resort and restaurant management, business ownership, and leadership in recovery ministry. He currently works with missions in Ukraine and directs the Elk River Sober Home Discipleship Program, equipping men for re-entry into society. Together with his wife Laura, they write daily devotionals, lead addiction support groups, offer spiritual coaching, conduct interventions, and mentor pastors and missionaries worldwide. Both serve as mentors for Teen Challenge. The Bagne’s reside in Ramsey, Minnesota, fully trusting God to provide as they faithfully serve in ministry, passionately sharing Christ’s love and hope.
Let me summarize it that you become more receptive to Truth and Love. You become a servant, and as you have concluded we will experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives to make us more like Jesus as we continue to trust in Him.
Your Friend – His servant,
Isaac Otieno
Excellent word. It all rests on Jesus. It’s His faithfulness that secures us. His righteousness that covers us. Amen.
Fully love this devotional. I have enjoyed Bobs mistly daily posts on FB and look forward to finding these devotions in my in box. So refreshing!!
Fully love this devotional. I have enjoyed Bobs mostly daily posts on FB and look forward to finding these devotions in my in box. So refreshing!!
Thank you, Gary. So thankful you were blessed by Bob’s devotional! God Bless!