Often as Christians we face a nagging fear. “What if I am not saved?”
The question is uncomfortable, unnerving, and for many it is downright terrifying! For some, the question itself is a nuisance. “Of course I am saved,” they tell themselves. They accepted Jesus Christ, all is forgiven and now they can live their Christian lives pretty much as they please. If this is you, you need to reconsider.
Others will take the question differently. If this question is downright terrifying to you, we need to talk, or it will paralyze your faith and destroy your walk and testimony. You are going to have to get past being paralyzed or you will end up like the man who hid his talent saying to the Lord in the last day, “I knew you to be a hard man….” The end result was not pretty!
It is time to get past the fear of not being saved. It is time for you to be free to walk in your calling boldly. Lets get started…
“How do I know I am saved?” Lets take this question head on. The question itself is based on a false premise. There are so many shades of meaning in the word “know” that come into play. Sometimes we can “know” something that is false. That will not make it true.
The Bible gives ample evidence that there are people who will “know” they are saved, only to find out they are not! I do not wish to be one of them. Do you?
“Am I saved?” is a question that needs to be asked.
Here are some people who think they are saved but are not. Jesus warns that in that day MANY will say, “haven’t we cast out devils and healed the sick in your name?” His reply in the Day of Judgment? “Depart from me you who work iniquity, I NEVER knew you!”
These people operated in the power of the Holy Spirit. That was not denied. But they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. They were busy building their own church empires. They were not “laying their lives down for the brethren” as they claimed. They were carnally minded in a spiritual mission. Jesus warns, “the pharisees seek the praise of men, therefore they have their reward.” That it. Its over when its over.
Is this you? Are you doing the work of God for a paycheck? If so, In doing the work for a paycheck, is your judgment being impaired because you are afraid to alienate your financial base? Have you generated income streams and publicity schemes to “promote the gospel,” but find yourself being the recipient of adoration and loving it? These are warning signs. Ignore them at your eternal risk!
Am I saying you cannot be genuine if your living comes from the Gospel? No. Paul says it is fitting that those who preach the Gospel should live off the Gospel. However, doing so in modesty and integrity are key. If you have had to sell of a portion of conviction, or integrity to maintain your position as teacher and evangelist or pastor, take heed.
There are others who are not using the Gospel as a career or path to stardom
For many “Am I saved?” is the million dollar question! It is the core of their conflict! The devil says you are evil and unloved and God doesn’t even WANT to save you or accept you. Well, the good news is that 1 – its the devil speaking to you, and 2 – he is “a liar and the father of it”, says Jesus Himself! Now, if the devil is telling you God does not want you, and has not accepted you, what does he gain, if in fact the devil already has you??? As we have seen, often the opposite is true. The devil tells people they are saved when they are not – and so, your question is magnified . . .
Here is the Biblical answer my friend. A doubting heart will not “know for sure” you are actually saved until Jesus calls your name and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord!” Jesus anticipated the need for His people to be assured of salvation when He said, “Fear not little flock (insert your name here), it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
Think on this for a moment….. God is not stingy with His blessings. The Father, delights in giving you His Kingdom! God takes great joy in giving you and I the greatest gifts! We don’t have to read the fine print to Him to persuade Him to give us His Kingdom. If you are struggling with fear, Matthew 6:33-34 is a tonic for your soul and a map for your feet.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Seek first the Kingdom of God AND His righteousness. Do not be paralyzed with fear. Go on your way with God. He will be faithful for the rest.
We ‘know’ we are saved by faith. Our faith is not in our ability to ‘feel’ saved. Our faith is in God. He tells us what we must do to be saved (repent and believe and be baptised for the remission of sins and you shall be saved.) Do those things.
When unbelief and doubt come in, tell them to go back out because your Father says you are saved because you believe in Jesus Christ and have devoted your life to being about His business. Then, simply assume you are a son or daughter of the Most High God and act like it in your dealings with God, with others and with yourself.
The truth is (don’t hit me :)) “How do I know I am saved?” is a very self-centered question. Take the focus off self, and place it on the Lord. Your life is His mess to clean up, not yours!
When doubt comes in be very clear in addressing it, saying, “Whether I am saved or not, I will serve Jesus Christ my Lord and Him only will I serve!”
Then simply serve Him, serve Him, serve Him. Be about the business He puts in front of you day in and day out. Be diligent in His Word to hear His voice. Be open and honest in prayer. God will take care of the rest. Stop looking over your shoulder and put your hand to the plow, looking forward. Let God clean up the mess you left behind and don’t be condemned in it. God will take care of you and the assurance will just be there in due season.
If you have chosen Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Master, be encouraged and be BOLD! Ask God for boldness. Read Psalm 103 before you go to sleep tonight and meditate on it. God loves you. He always has. He always will.
We know we are saved by faith, not sight nor feelings. When we obey the Lord, we know we will have our reward. Now go on! Lets be about our Father’s business and enjoy the journey. He will never leave you nor forsake you in it, for faithful is He who has begun a good work in you to complete it unto the end. Even so, “Come Lord, Jesus”.