How do I know I’m saved?
First, here are some things to know about salvation in general…
>>God does not want your salvation to be a MYSTERY
- Not trying to keep us guessing
Apostle John says this…
1 John 5:13
I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
The Lord wants you to KNOW that you KNOW HIM
- Not always second guessing
- Its something you can have CONFIDENCE in
Next thing you need to know about salvation is…
>>Salvation is something God GIVES, not something we EARN
The Idea of SALVATION is not EXCLUSIVE to Christianity…
Judaism – You must obey the Jewish law and customs.
Islam – Muslims must practice the five pillars successfully.
Hinduism – The individual must purify himself from evil in life, and afterlife
Buddhism – Must renounce self in order to reach Nirvana.
Paganism – Must appease the gods and spirits in order to be rewarded.
Atheism – Compliance to a system or a philosophy. You must be in compliance to be happy or practice total non-compliance in order to be free. So, you’re either going to be an anarchist – break all the rules, or keep all the rules, but you’ve got to deal with the rules either way.
Christianity is DISTINCT in that the ONLY way to salvation is through God’s GRACE
Titus 3:5
5 He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
We have HOPE because Jesus gave his life so that we may be declared INNOCENT by HIS actions, not our own
- Lived the life we could not live
- Died the death we SHOULD have died
- Rose to victorious life
- We now have access to that Victory
Since salvation is through grace and NOT our works/actions
>>True Salvation cannot be LOST
Romans 8:38–39
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What about those who renounce their salvation?
- Their hearts never truly belonged to the lord
- Cultural Christians
- Not a true conversion
>>Salvation does not mean we are perfect… YET
Ephesians 4
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.
>>Salvation is both an EVENT and a PROCESS
Scripture speaks of salvation in 3 tenses…
Ephesians 2:8
For you are saved by grace through faith…
1 Corinthians 1:18
…but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.
Romans 13:11
…now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
It can be said like this…
We have been, we are being, and we will be saved.
Back to our original question…
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE ARE SAVED?
6 ways to know you are saved
1: You have confessed that Jesus is Lord of Your Life
Romans 10:9
9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This is a change of allegiance
- You have raised the WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER
- No longer you own boss
2: You have REPENTED of your sins
Romans 8:13
13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Repentance ≠ just saying sorry
- Not just “my bad”
Repentance = Putting sin to death in your life
- Not trying to GET BY WITH IT
Repentance = Waging war on fleshly desires
- Actively pursuing God’s way and truth
Repentance = No longer feel comfortable with what you we ok with before
- You have to give up that life
- Doing a 180º turn around
3: You have a New Heart and Life
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has[a] come!
This means:
- Not the same as you were
- New desires
- New outlook
- New focus
- New Purpose
“BORN AGAIN”
- A significant happening in your life
4: You Have the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:9
9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.
Ephesians 1:13
13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.
Fruit of the Spirit are active and evident in your life
- Becoming more like Christ
- Convicted, not guilty
5: You read and obey the Bible
John 14:15
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
The word becomes alive in your life
- More than just a book
Bible goes from INFORMATION to a place of TRANSFORMATION
It doesn’t mean that you understand everything, but the Holy Spirit does help give understanding and wisdom
6: You Share the Gospel
Matthew 28:19–20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Can’t help but tell people what Jesus has done in your life
- Not shouting from the rooftops
- But in normal conversation with others
- Sharing your joy of what God has done
3 different people here:
1: Some of you have been carrying a weight of FEAR over whether you are truly saved..
- Put that to rest today
- God is NOT looking for perfection from you
- Looking for your HEART
2: You have lost the JOY of your salvation
Don’t let the enemy try and steal the JOY OF YOUR SALVATION
Let your prayer be this…
Psalm 51:12
Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
3: You don’t know Jesus personally
- Declare Him LORD and LEADER of your life today
Prayer for Salvation:
God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!