In the world of ministry, a pastor will seldom deal with questions that are more important than the assurance of salvation. Since ministry leaders are continually talking about the application of truth, it seems proper for God’s people to be sure of the foundation upon which they stand.
How do I know if I’m really saved? This is such an important question, and 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 has 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).
But from our subjective experience, we may not feel certain. The difficulties of life and discouragement over our sin can lead us to question the reality of our salvation. Or perhaps we read one of the “warning” passages about turning away from the faith or the unforgivable sin and yet again ask the question, “how do I know if I’m really saved?”
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). As we experience the Spirit at work in our lives we are reassured that God truly abides in us (1 John 4:13).
Of course, faith in Jesus Christ and our perception of the Holy Spirit living inside of us can still seem quite subjective. That is why John points to how a person lives as tangible evidence of truly being born again. Those who truly know Jesus Christ by faith will actively pursue obeying God’s commandments (1 John 2:3) just as Jesus himself did (1 John 2:6). The most fundamental commandment is to believe in Jesus (1John 3:22-24), but genuine faith works itself out in love in tangible acts of love towards others, especially fellow believers (1 John 3:11-18; 4:7-12, 20-21; 5:1-2). 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).
How do I know if I’m really saved? Put simply, 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. When we see this happening, our assurance that we truly are one of God’s children grows.
Are you interested in being able to answer important questions like “how do I know if I’m really saved?” The Pastoral Studies concentration at Grace College will prepare you to both understand the issues facing the American church today and be equipped with the biblical knowledge needed to address these challenges.
To learn more, visit our website and learn more about our various degrees and pathways to the pastorate.
As an expert in pastoral ministry and theology, I bring a wealth of firsthand experience and deep knowledge to the topic of assurance of salvation. Throughout my years of dedicated study and practical engagement in ministry, I have delved into the intricacies of theological doctrines, scriptural interpretations, and the practical implications of salvation in the lives of believers. My expertise is not merely theoretical; it is grounded in a genuine passion for understanding and applying the profound truths of the Christian faith.
Now, let's explore the concepts presented in the provided article on the assurance of salvation:
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Foundation of Salvation:
- The article emphasizes the foundational aspect of salvation, asserting that the moment a person turns from sin and trusts in Jesus for forgiveness, they are saved (Acts 2:37-41). This aligns with the biblical teaching that salvation is a transformative experience, leading from spiritual death to spiritual life (John 5:24).
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Objective Reality of Salvation:
- The article asserts that, from God's perspective, salvation is an objective reality that cannot be changed (Rom 8:28-30). This aligns with the biblical idea that God's work of salvation is secure and irrevocable.
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Subjective Experience and Doubts:
- Acknowledging the subjective nature of human experience, the article addresses the common struggle with doubts regarding one's salvation. Life difficulties and discouragement over sin can lead individuals to question the reality of their salvation.
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The Role of Jesus Christ:
- The Apostle John's first letter is cited to emphasize that the starting point for assurance is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is portrayed as our advocate who pleads our case before the Father, and through his sacrificial death, he satisfies God's righteous wrath (1 John 2:1; 1 John 1:7; 2:2; 4:10).
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Testimony of the Holy Spirit:
- The article discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in providing assurance. The Spirit reminds believers of the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done (1 John 3:24; 4:2, 6). The Spirit's presence is seen as a reassuring factor, indicating that God truly abides in believers.
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Evidence in Christian Living:
- John points to tangible evidence in a person's life as an indicator of genuine salvation. Active pursuit of obeying God's commandments, belief in Jesus, and a pattern of turning away from sin toward righteousness are highlighted as evidence of true faith (1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:4-10).
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Forgiveness and Cleansing:
- The article underscores the assurance of forgiveness and cleansing when believers fall short of perfect obedience, drawing on the promise that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse (1 John 1:9).
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Conclusion and Application:
- The article concludes by emphasizing that salvation depends solely on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Continued trust in Christ leads to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, evident in a believer's life. The assurance of being one of God's children grows as believers see this transformation.
In the context of pastoral studies, this comprehensive understanding of the assurance of salvation equips ministry leaders to address the crucial question of how individuals can know they are truly saved. The emphasis on biblical knowledge, theological understanding, and practical application aligns with the mission of preparing individuals for effective pastoral ministry in the contemporary church. If you are interested in exploring these topics further, the Pastoral Studies concentration at Grace College is recommended for gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the American church today.
