How do you know you are saved?

[ElenaP]

How do you know you are saved?

I don't mean to be facetious or antagonistic in any way. I just wonder if you believe you are saved? How do you know? Can you be saved, but then discarded because of sin? Do you just "hope" you are saved, but do not know for certain? How can you be certain of something only God knows?

 

[DHK]

Elena,

When asked this question I typically respond with a question of my own. The question is: what do you confess?

1. Do you confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? (Matt. 16:16)
2. Do you confess that you are a sinner and have transgressed God's law? (Rom. 3:23)
3. Do you confess that, as a sinner, you deserve death and judgment? (Rom. 1:18; 6:23a)
4. Do you believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for your sin? (2 Cor. 5:21)
5. Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and defeated sin? (1 Cor. 15:3, 4)
6. Have you turned from your sin (repentance) and believed (by faith) in the finished work of Jesus Christ on your behalf? (Eph. 1:13, 14)
7. Do you confess a desire to serve God actively in the church by loving the saints and doing good works? (Eph, 2:10; Phil. 2:12)

A Christian does not do any of these things perfectly. We sin, fall down, repent, and are restored, and then do it all over again. We are in the process of being perfected in our behavior, we are not perfected in our behavior yet. But the first step is to be honest in what we confess before God.

Romans 10:9, 10 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.​

One knows that they are saved if they have trusted Jesus Christ as their Savior.
1Jn 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

We have all sinned. We have broken God's law. God demands absolute holiness, something one cannot attain by one's own merit. There is nothing that one can do to earn eternal life or to merit entrance into heaven.
The Bible says:
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--A wage is something I deserve. I deserve to get paid at the end of the day. That is my wage. But here I deserve death--spiritual death or separation from God for all eternity.
The gift of God is eternal life but the wages of sin is eternal death. (separation from God).

This is the reason Christ came--to pay the penalty that I could not pay, that is to die for my sins.
He paid the penalty that God demanded. His blood was sufficient to pay for our sins.
He died on the cross to make an atonement for our sins, to pay a penalty I could never pay.
He could do this for two reasons: 1. Christ is and was, and always will be God. Only God can pay the penalty of all our sins. And, 2, because he was perfect man. He never sinned. God required a sinless sacrifice.

1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
--He is the Just one that suffered and died for the unjust ones, (us), that he might bring us to God.
He was put to death but made alive by the Holy Spirit. He died, was buried and rose again.

On that basis, if one trusts him as his Savior he can be saved.
The Scriptures say:
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
--Belief comes from the heart. It is not simple head knowledge. Believe from your heart that Christ is Lord. It is Him you must ask to save you.

Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
--As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God...

1Jn 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
---Now John says after you have believed on the name of the Son of God, you may know you have eternal life.
Why? Because you have believed on the name of the Son of God.
We know because we have believed. We trust in the promises of God through faith.

 

[Deacon]

The book of John is a great first book to read for a young believer in Jesus.
His purpose is to help people know they are a child of God.

"Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31 NIV​

It's really quite simple, believe in Jesus and his work for you on the cross.
Know that he is able to do what he said he would.
The first step is simple faith... it's a big one!

Rob

 

[ApollotheBrave]

There's this deep unwavering feeling within me that lightens the dark of my heart. It is filled with the love of God, my family, my friends. I have great faith in humanity, I feel that I am saved from all future pain when I pass into my second life. Everyday I try to be good and happy and thankful. Everyday I bring my hope to other people and pray that they will share this compassion with others. We're bound to save each other in the end, why not start now?

 

[robustheologian]

You know you are saved when don't trust in anything you've done for your salvation but everything that Christ has done to save you.

 

[thatbrian]

You know you are saved when don't trust in anything you've done for your salvation but everything that Christ has done to save you.

This is well stated and pithy, RT!

Many people would reply to the OP's question with an answer that only includes, "believe in Jesus", which is correct, but this is half answer, or. . . not a fully-explained answer.

In scripture, faith in Christ is always contrasted with works of the law. In other words, we can rely on Christ's works on our behalf, or we can rely on our own works ( keeping of God's law)

You can't do both. You can't hedge your bet. Trust in Christ's perfect obedience (on your behalf) in life and His perfect sacrifice (also on your behalf) in His death.

 

[pwarbi]

I'm not sure if you are ever supposed to know when your saved. Living your life as if you are wanting to be saved will be better because I believe that if people think they have done enough to be saved in the eyes of God, that's when they will stop trying.

 

[DHK]

There's this deep unwavering feeling within me that lightens the dark of my heart. It is filled with the love of God, my family, my friends. I have great faith in humanity, I feel that I am saved from all future pain when I pass into my second life. Everyday I try to be good and happy and thankful. Everyday I bring my hope to other people and pray that they will share this compassion with others. We're bound to save each other in the end, why not start now?

The OP said:

I just wonder if you believe you are saved? How do you know?

Nothing you said is relevant.
She asked "How do you know..."
You replied: "I feel that I am saved..." One doesn't run their life by their feelings.
The Bible tells us that we can know of a surety that we can be saved. There is no "feel" that we are saved about it. We don't trust "feelings."

 

[ElenaP]

Thank you for your answers, especially @Reformed, @DHK, @robustheologian and @Deacon. I suppose I am just a little stuck over reading that the that the devil and his demons all believe in Jesus too, so just belief is not enough. Also that one is not saved by good works, so that is not enough or irrelevant. So I suppose it is the amalgamation of everything, including the belief that one is a sinner? But there are some rare people and children that really are not sinners. Then come my thoughts of an evil, ignorant self absorbed person who believes they are saved, but continues to sin on a daily basis almost with no awareness of the hurt and suffering they cause others. Are they still saved? What if I am that ignorant person? It is still somewhat confusing.

 

[DHK]

Thank you for your answers, especially @Reformed, @DHK, @robustheologian and @Deacon. I suppose I am just a little stuck over reading that the that the devil and his demons all believe in Jesus too, so just belief is not enough. Also that one is not saved by good works, so that is not enough or irrelevant. So I suppose it is the amalgamation of everything, including the belief that one is a sinner? But there are some rare people and children that really are not sinners. Then come my thoughts of an evil, ignorant self absorbed person who believes they are saved, but continues to sin on a daily basis almost with no awareness of the hurt and suffering they cause others. Are they still saved? What if I am that ignorant person? It is still somewhat confusing.

Your welcome.
The belief the devil has is simply knowledge. He knows God exists but will not submit to him. That is rebellion. The belief that Christ wants is belief in him as Lord, which is belief and submission.
When I trust him as Lord and Savior, He, but the power of His Holy Spirit will come and dwell within me and start to change me. Those that are truly saved will see a change in their lives. The Holy Spirit changes us.
The Bible says "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom.3:23)
So no one in life is without sin. We are all sinners. That is why Christ came and paid the penalty for our sins.
Those self-absorbed selfish people are not saved. Some are Christians in name only. Those that are saved will first profess Christ as Savior, and then be willing to talk about him. Thus they won't be self absorbed, rather more absorbed with the needs of others that they too might know about Christ.
(If you were that ignorant person you wouldn't put yourself here, humbly asking all these questions. )

 

[BrotherJoseph]

How do you know you are saved?

I don't mean to be facetious or antagonistic in any way. I just wonder if you believe you are saved? How do you know? Can you be saved, but then discarded because of sin? Do you just "hope" you are saved, but do not know for certain? How can you be certain of something only God knows?

Elena,

The Bible tells us there are evidences that one has been born again by which we can know we are saved. The book of 1 John in particular explicitly addresses your question by giving three evidences which if manifested indicate one can know they are saved.. We read

Evidence 1)
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." ( 1 John 2:3-5)
and
Evidence 2)
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." (1 John 3:14)
and
Evidence 3)
"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:" (1 John 4:2)
and
Evidence 4)
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" (1 John 4:6)


To summarize if one keeps God's commandments (this is teaching generally, nobody keeps the commandments 100% of the time), loves the brethren, confesseth that Jesus is the Christ, and heareth and believes the word of God in the Bible these are sure evidences by which one can know they are a child of grace. Also, if you can see your sin and need for the savior, this too is a sign one who is not born again will not manifest, " 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Unsaved people do not believe they are sinners in need of a savior."If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8) and "10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10).

Paul describes believers as having a war within themselves in Romans 7:15-23 between doing what is right and what is wrong. Read the verses, he does not say he always does that which is right, but when he does wrong, he hates it! A true believer will have this war within themselves, an unbeliever will do wrong and care less. While it is not 100% true, I would argue the fact that if one is even worried with the issue sincerely about if they are truly saved and knows they deserve Hell it is a sign that one may already be saved. Unbelievers generally do not take much thought if they are right before the Lord Jesus Christ.

God bless,

Brother Joe

 

[BrotherJoseph]

Thank you for your answers, especially @Reformed, @DHK, @robustheologian and @Deacon. I suppose I am just a little stuck over reading that the that the devil and his demons all believe in Jesus too, so just belief is not enough. Also that one is not saved by good works, so that is not enough or irrelevant. So I suppose it is the amalgamation of everything, including the belief that one is a sinner? But there are some rare people and children that really are not sinners. Then come my thoughts of an evil, ignorant self absorbed person who believes they are saved, but continues to sin on a daily basis almost with no awareness of the hurt and suffering they cause others. Are they still saved? What if I am that ignorant person? It is still somewhat confusing.

It is true the devils believe there is a God and that Jesus is Lord, but they are not repentant of being wicked, nor do they see a need for Christ, nor do those who are unsaved.The opposite is true of those who are saved.

There is a difference in believing Jesus is God and an individual trusting and having faith in Him that he will save them from their sin. Faith in Christ as savior and as the sole source of salvation from sin due to His sacrifice is the surest evidence by which one can know they are saved.

Brother Joe

 

[tyndale1946]

It is true the devils believe there is a God and that Jesus is Lord, but they are not repentant of being wicked, nor do they see a need for Christ, nor do those who are unsaved.The opposite is true of those who are saved.

There is a difference in believing Jesus is God and an individual trusting and having faith in Him that he will save them from their sin. Faith in Christ as they savior and sole source of salvation from sin due to His sacrifice is the surest evidence by which one can know they are saved.

Brother Joe

I concur with all that has been said here and add this scripture for your consideration the Lord always finishes what he starts... Brother Glen

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

[BrotherJoseph]

There's this deep unwavering feeling within me that lightens the dark of my heart. It is filled with the love of God, my family, my friends. I have great faith in humanity,?

The apostle Paul did not have faith in humanity,
"9 ... No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:"

Jesus said, ".. there is none good but one, that is, God" (Matthew 19:17)

I would not put faith in humanity, "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm" (Jeremiah 17:5)

I feel that I am saved from all future pain when I pass into my second life. Everyday I try to be good and happy and thankful.?

I would not trust in my "feelings" to determine if I am saved, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

How is "trying to be good" working out for you? Have you ever had lust in your heart for another person? Have you ever taken God's name in vain? Have you ever stolen something? Have you ever
been angry with someone? Have you ever called anybody a name like "a fool"? Have you ever "hated" anybody, maybe even just for a moment?

We're bound to save each other in the end, why not start now?

There is only one person who can and does save people in the end-"thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) and "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25) and "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5)

Anybody who believes that can save themselves or considers themselves good by nature, does not know God."For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:3)

 

[steaver]

How do you know you are saved?

I don't mean to be facetious or antagonistic in any way. I just wonder if you believe you are saved? How do you know? Can you be saved, but then discarded because of sin? Do you just "hope" you are saved, but do not know for certain? How can you be certain of something only God knows?

Greetings Elena,

This is a good question and an appropriate question. The best answer, if you would like to examine yourself, is found in Romans 8. The whole chapter is very informative and Paul makes it very clear that you will know you are saved.

(15) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father"
(16) "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

When a person hears the Gospel and calls upon Jesus Christ by faith for salvation, God gives this person the Holy Spirit regeneration/rebirth. One becomes born-again/born of God. One becomes a new creation, having a new heart. One's spirit is quickened/made alive again, married to Christ as one, two become one in Christ.

Thus, as Romans 8:15-16 declare, your spirit is alive to Christ/God. Your spirit crys out to Abba, Father. You will feel the Holy Spirit working in you and through you. One can say they believe the bible all day long, one must be born-again. You will know Jesus Christ is in you!!!! The scripture will confirm what you feel is in you, that you are a child of God. It will also bring to light any wrong feelings which are in you, sin, that you may work on ridding yourself of by the power of Jesus Christ.

 

[Revmitchell]

How do you know you are saved?

I don't mean to be facetious or antagonistic in any way. I just wonder if you believe you are saved? How do you know? Can you be saved, but then discarded because of sin? Do you just "hope" you are saved, but do not know for certain? How can you be certain of something only God knows?

First it was intended for us to know we are saved and that is made in in:

1John 5:13 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.

This verse makes clear that it is from scripture that we can know we are saved "I write these things to you...". The word of God tells us what it is that a saved person looks like:

John 15:5
John 14:15
John 8:31-32
John 8:42
*This list is not exhaustive

 

[kyredneck]

How do you know you are saved?

How Sweet The Name Of Jesus Sounds In A Believer's Ear

 

[NetChaplain]

I believe two of the primary confirmations for reassurance of being born again is that the desire to do God's "pleasure" always ends up being more important to you than everything (Phil 2:13)--this evinces that God is in you; and the awareness as we mature that we see the difference the Spirit is making in our lives (Gal 5:17; Rom 8:16).

God's blessings to you Family!

 

[Martin Marprelate]

How do you know you are saved?

You might find this article helpful:
https://marprelate.wordpress.com/2010/08/29/new-birth-9-evidences-of-the-new-birth/

 

[NetChaplain]

Hi MM - I find that link quite a helpful source, but just wanted to point out that in my understanding I find it to be instructional concluding that it's not our old and new natures struggling with one another, but the Spirit of God opposing the old nature (Gal 5:18).

I see Paul's proclamation of this dichotomy between the natures more as just an identification-aid in order that we can be aware of this, and of the Spirit's control (not the believer) of this dichotomy. The sinful nature is "warring against the law of my mind" (Rom 7:23), but I can only observe this because it is "bringing me into captivity to the law of sin."

Hence the only source of deliverance: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." I believe this is in reference to the redemption in Christ, as we "with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (v 25).

I believe the primary instruction here is that it's the Spirit and not the believer that causes him to "shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Mat 5:16).

Not attempting to contend but to add encouragement along with the link you shared.

God's blessings to your Family!