How Do I Know I’m Saved?: What Should I Do?
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Photo by nerovivo
I read a lot. Whether it’s books, articles, blogs, or magazines, I like to read. However, one thing that frustrates me is when an author doesn’t answer the “so what” question. This question tells us why what we’re reading is important and how we can apply it to our lives. Over the past five weeks, we’ve been answering the question, “How do I know I’m saved?” We’ve answered that question with five tests: (1) what is my relationship to Jesus Christ?, (2) what is my relationship to the world?, (3) what is my relationship to sin?, (4) what is my relationship to people?, and (5) do I have the witness of the Holy Spirit in me? We’re concluding this series with the “so what” question: What should I do?
Examine Yourself
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Examinations of any kind are never easy. Internal self-examinations are even more difficult, and sometimes even painful. When we examine ourselves and our relationship with God, we can’t try to lie to ourselves. We need to be honest and real. That means we look at the five tests we’ve already discussed and we ask ourselves, “Do I pass all of those tests?” Now, you and I know that, in school, we could sometimes fail tests and still pass the class. Though this wasn’t our intention, it still occasionally happened. Today, while Jesus has saved us, we are still sinners. So, there might be days when you don’t love people. There might be days when you sin. These small moments of failing the “tests” do not mean that we do not have a true relationship with Christ. Knowing that you are saved is not about trusting in yourself; it’s about trusting in Christ. Nonetheless, as a Christian you should pass the five tests of salvation more often than not. We should examine the general trajectory of our lives, looking for steady growth over time that evidences the saving presence of Christ in our hearts.
What Should I Do?
Below are just a few things to think about as you assess your own life and your salvation in Jesus. Whether you know you are saved, have doubts, or know that you’re not saved, take some time this week to work through each of these six points below.
- Understand that God wants you to know whether or not you are truly saved.
- Be honest with yourself and God. Ask yourself: “What am I trusting in for eternal life?”
- Examine yourself in light of Scripture. Ask: “Does my life reflect what the Scriptures say when a person is born of God? Is there biblical evidence that I am saved?”
- Ask the Holy Spirit to bear witness as to whether or not you are a true child of God.
- Completely obey the Lord and his Word when he speaks to you.
- Remember, at the end of day, it is Jesus, not you, who saves!