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There is an aching question that countless Christians have struggled to find relief from throughout history. No doubt, it is one of the most important questions that we can ask ourselves: “Am I really saved?” Although this question doesn’t necessarily indicate a person's lack of faith in the saving work of Christ, chances are that the questioner is looking in the wrong places.
Many people, who find themselves asking this question, likely agree with many of the central and important facts that we hold to be foundational. They would agree that Christ was a real person who really existed, that He is God in the flesh, that Christ died under the wrath of God for sinners, that His sacrifice was completely sufficient to cover all sins, and they will affirm these truths while calling Him Lord and Savior. Many men and women believe these essential facts of Scripture, but the question remains: are they personally saved?
There are reasons why this question might arise which include a lack of observable fruit, habitual sins that one cannot find victory over, a lack of zeal or obedience, comparing spiritual growth with others, spiritual inconsistency, and many others. Having these reasons as a determining factor stems from the root of one deeper issue, and that is looking to our subjective experiences and emotions rather than God’s objective word and promises. The apostle John however wrote, “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). We can know that we have eternal life, because it is a promise for those who believe.
It is important to note that if there are any unrepentant sins or lifestyles that someone is not confessing and turning from, there is reason to be concerned. Listen to that conviction and make the changes necessary to follow Jesus faithfully. The creator has said “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
There is such a thing as focusing too much on ourselves, and that is in large part what we need to avoid. Looking within, there are countless reasons to be discouraged and driven to despair. We find our weaknesses, our inability, our frailty, and every unredeemable quality. “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).
Looking to Jesus, there are countless reasons to believe without a doubt that we are saved. In Him is sufficient grace, strength, righteousness, and every redeemable quality. The only confidence and assurance we can have of our salvation is “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Looking within ourselves for assurance in reality does the opposite of what we intend. The Lord Jesus Christ has done everything necessary to secure your eternal salvation. We rest in what He has done for us on the cross and in satisfying the wrath of God, not in the good works we do. We rest in the good shepherd who will never allow us to be lost or snatched away (John 10:28). Just as the beloved Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Any self-analysis is merely meant as a tool to help us conform our lives to the life God has called us to live in Christ.
God wants us to be assured of our salvation. He has provided us with the greatest reason to be confident and that is His Son. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). Just as a father wants their child to be assured of his love for them, so God wants us to be assured of His love for us. “‘For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ’” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Live in the light of this knowledge and let it be your reason for living!
Being assured of your salvation in Jesus Christ is one of the greatest gifts that any Christian can have. It is a seemingly unstoppable, joyful obedience that overflows in love and thanksgiving. Knowing “that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39) is the triumphal promise we have to run the race set before us with confidence.
Praise be to God for the inexpressible gift of eternal life and the assurance of this gift in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Jonah Kellogg
Acts Church of Maricopa Member
Contact & Sunday service information: https://www.actschurchmaricopa.com/location
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