Welcome everyone, and I’m sincerely grateful for your presence today. This blog, I believe, is going to be one of the most significant ones we’ve ever embarked on, addressing a fundamental question that resonates deeply with many: How can I be sure of my salvation? It’s a question that often plagues both new believers and seasoned followers of Christ alike, stirring doubts and uncertainty in their spiritual walk.
Let’s delve into this critical question, not just as a cursory exploration but as a comprehensive study that offers clarity and conviction. This is more than a sermon; it’s a guidepost for those who find themselves wrestling with the assurance of their faith, for those who yearn to solidify their confidence in their relationship with God.
The essence of this study revolves around a key scripture: 1 John 5:11-13, where John explicitly writes to believers, affirming that the gift of eternal life is found in Jesus Christ. He reassures believers that they can know with certainty they possess eternal life. This foundational truth is the bedrock of our discussion today.
1 John 5:11-13 (NIV): 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:14-21 further extends this assurance. Here, John emphasizes the confidence we can have in approaching God—a confidence rooted in the knowledge that He hears us and responds to our prayers aligned with His will. This passage underlines the importance of living in fellowship with Christ, acknowledging that true understanding and eternal life emanate from Him.
1 John 5:14-21 (NIV): 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 16 If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
The journey to answering the question, how can I be sure of my salvation, is not just about embracing these truths but also about grappling with practical, existential questions. What happens five seconds after we die? Is there a profound conviction in our hearts about where we will spend eternity? These are not just theological musings but real-life considerations that every believer should confidently answer.
Diving deeper into scripture, Romans 3:22-26 articulates the core of salvation – we are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This passage dismantles the notion of salvation by works, highlighting that it’s not about what we do, but about what Christ has done for us. It’s the sacrifice of Jesus, His blood shed on the cross, that provides the pathway to salvation.
Romans 3:22-26 (NIV): 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
John 3:16, a verse etched in the heart of every Christian, reaffirms this truth. It reminds us that our belief in Christ isn’t a mere intellectual assent but a transformational experience that brings eternal life.
John 3:16 (NIV): 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
However, it’s crucial to understand that while we are saved by faith and not by works, genuine faith produces a changed life. This is where many struggle, confusing the idea of salvation by faith with a license to continue in sin. Scripture is clear in its distinction—1 John 3:6-7 warns us against a lifestyle of habitual sin, indicating that such a pattern is inconsistent with true knowledge of Christ.
1 John 3:6-7 (NIV): 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
To further elucidate this, consider 2 Corinthians 13:5, where Paul urges believers to examine themselves to see if their faith is genuine. This isn’t about self-condemnation but about self-examination. It’s a call to assess whether our lives reflect the transformation that comes with true salvation.
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV): 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?
So, what does this transformed life look like? It’s a life marked by a pursuit of holiness, a shift in desires, a change in conduct, and a renewed perspective on life’s priorities. It’s about aligning our beliefs with our behaviors, as evidenced in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, where Paul speaks about living for Christ instead of ourselves.
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (NIV): 14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
In addressing this topic, how can I be sure of my salvation, it’s vital to understand the distinction between willful, habitual sinning and the struggle against sin that characterizes the Christian life. The Christian journey is not one devoid of challenges or failures, but it is one where sin no longer reigns supreme. It’s a journey marked by progressive sanctification—the ongoing process of being made holy, as we grow in our faith and become more like Christ.
Conclusion: How Can I Be Sure of My Salvation?
In closing, let’s take these truths—how can I be sure of my salvation—and apply them to our lives. Let’s embrace the assurance that comes from knowing Christ, from understanding the transformative power of His sacrifice, and from living a life that reflects His love and righteousness. May this knowledge not just be a fleeting comfort but a lasting conviction that anchors us in all seasons of life.
Before we part, let’s bow our heads in prayer, committing ourselves afresh to this journey of faith, asking for God’s grace to live out the reality of our salvation with assurance and joy.
In His Service,
Guardians of Biblical Truth
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