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Why, despite giving my life to Christ and praying, I still feel I do not know if I am saved or not?
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Asked November 25 2013
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Johnson Ade
Supporter
Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Jason Dalrymple
Supporter
First of all take courage, we have all felt this at some point or another. Also I think it is crucial that we do not go on feelings, but rather faith. John 3:16 says that if we believe in Him (Jesus) we are saved. John 6:53 & 54 says that unless we eat of His flesh and drink of His blood we have no life in us. To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive Him as our personal Saviour BELIEVING that He forgives our sins and that we are complete in Him. In other words we have to believe that we are saved. The devil is definitely going to try his best to make us not believe because he knows that is how we receive the gift of salvation; by believing. From the simple Bible account of how Jesus healed the sick, we may learn something about how to believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins. Let us turn to the story of the paralytic at Bethesda. The poor sufferer was helpless; he had not used his limbs for thirty-eight years. Yet Jesus bade him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." The sick man might have said, "Lord, if Thou wilt make me whole, I will obey Thy word." But, no, he believed Christ's word, believed that he was made whole, and he made the effort at once; he willed to walk, and he did walk. He acted on the word of Christ, and God gave the power. He was made whole. In like manner you are a sinner. You cannot atone for your past sins; you cannot change your heart and make yourself holy. But God promises to do all this for you through Christ. You believe that promise. You confess your sins and give yourself to God. You will to serve Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His word to you. If you believe the promise,--believe that you are forgiven and cleansed,--God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, "I believe it; it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised." Jesus says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24. There is a condition to this promise--that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. So we may ask for these blessings, and believe that we receive them, and thank God that we have received them. It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame or remorse. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1. Also I think that Jesus is wanting us to drink deeper from the everlasting well of life. And if we are satisfied with our experience than we would soon fall into the Laodacian state that a lot of supposed Christians find themselves in today. Knock and keep on knocking, seek and keep on seeking, dig and keep on digging! To many are satisfied will a mere pretence of religion, we are satisfied with scratching the surface when the real treasure is, like the precious metal, hidden deep in the earth. I believe that Jesus wants to be a real presence in our life's and that through His holy bible we can get to know Him for real. Peter say's in 11 Peter 1:3&4 that it is through His promises that we have access to the Divine Nature. Get to know his promises, claim them, believe them. One more thing to remember; If we are looking at ourselves, than Satan has succeded in taking our eyes off Christ. Look always to Him, His goodness, His love, His grace and mercy. By beholding we become changed! When the tempter says you are not good enough to be saved, say " indeed I am not, but Jesus is MY righteousness"!
rene lopez
Supporter
I have good news for you, from what I read I can tell that you are saved. Trust me on this, it is not a feeling as some well meaning people would tell you. Did you honestly ask to be saved? Then you are, still have doubts? Only you and he know how honest you were when you asked and he promised that whoever comes to him in no way will he cast out and nothing can take you from his hand, not even you. You are sealed like a letter to be delivered. You are his and the angels sing. My heart is happy for you. Now ask him to change you into what he wants you to be. Be willing to lose your favorite sins. GOD BLESS!
Mi Shad Ow
Supporter
The thing about this walk (being a christian) is that it only takes one choice to become one. But it takes a life time to perfect it. When we fall/sin we have this thought that all is lost. But that could not be further from the truth. God is not like man, his love is unfailing. I would suggest taking some time and reading/mediating on what he "God" has to say about it. 1John 1:9 Mic 7:18-19 Rom 8:1 Rom 6-8
Agnes Stuart
Supporter
Assurance will come as you get to know the Lord better. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes through hearing the word of Christ and Jesus said that his sheep hear his voice and follow him (John 10) so as you listen to the Lord speaking, through the bible, his servants,and to you personally your faith, and assurance, will grow accordingly.
Tim Maas
Supporter
Aside from the comments already made, the question reminded me of C. S. Lewis' perspective about what a Christian should do in regard to God's command to love his neighbor if the person did not have those feelings toward a particular person. Lewis said that, in that case, the Christian should ask himself, "How would I act toward this person if I DID love him?", and then act that way. The Christian will then find that, over time, his feelings will follow his actions. To me, the same logic would apply to not having "feelings" of being saved. Ask yourself how you would act if you did have that assurance (an assurance that is certainly warranted by the passages from Scripture that have already been quoted), and then act that way.
James Kraft
Supporter
Salvation is not something we do, not even by our giving our life to Jesus or making a commitment to Him, but is something Jesus did for us. The gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4 That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures. A sinner can only be saved by what He did for us and accept it as a free gift. We did nothing for it, and can only accept it as free. Romans 11:6 Romans 4:5 Faith alone in Christ alone is salvation by grace. What He did for us. Once we believe that gospel, that our sin debt is paid in full, and we know we have eternal life, God seals us with His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13-14 and Ephesians 4:30. John 6:40 This is the will of Him who sent me, that ALL that seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up on the last day. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that BELIEVETH on me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE. Jesus said it, we believe it, and that settles it. Jesus died to shed His own sinless blood so that any one who would believe would be saved. It is Gods word and He can not lie. John 3:18 Believers can no longer be condemned. Our eternal destiny has nothing to do with how we live or what we do, but what He did for us. Our rewards in heaven are based on how we live after we have received the free gift. And it we go back into a sinful lifestyle, like homosexuality, He will chasten us, even to taking our life early, but we are still saved so as by fire. First Corinthians 3:15. We can do nothing to earn our salvation, and once we believe we can do nothing to lose it. It is the GIFT of God. Now you have full assurance that you will go to heaven because of what Jesus did for you. It no longer depends on you but on Him who gave the promise. John 6:47. First John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. Because it is based on what HE did, and not what you do. John 1:12 and Romans 1:16. John 10:28-29. The burden of your salvation is on Jesus, not you. That is why He said, his burden is easy and light. He carry's our burden for us. We are no longer under the law but His AMAZING GRACE. Romans 11:6. It is all grace apart from any works. Romans 3:26-28. Free GIFT. You can not boast in free. Ephesian 2:8-9.
Alicia Kazansky
Supporter
After one has invited God into their being and have repented of their sins, God gladly clothes you with the gift of grace/salvation. Once you feel, and I DO mean feel...the Holy Spirit come and dwell within you, and you feel peace and a renewed spirit in thought and actions as you become more like Christ thru studying and growing..will it be obvious to you and others that you have "been born again" a renewed person living for the Kingdom representing Christ in thought and deed. Of course, scripture points out this CAN BE LOST should one stray away back to the "Old ways" and ignore the Holy Spirits nudging you back into the right direction with you never repenting is what is called "grieving the HS". Been there, almost did that..but came to realize what happened and have been restored.
Vincent Mercado
Supporter
Assurance of salvation can be divided into many types. Man can have a moral assurance if he gives his life to Christ, lives a righteous life, refrain from actively committing sin. Man does not have a eternal assurance, that is reserved for Christ our judge alone. What we do not want is false assurance.
Kevin Honeycutt
Supporter
What must I do to be saved? Let us look at what the Apostles told everyone they must do to be saved, Hear- Romans 10:17, Matthew 11:15, Acts 18:8, Acts 28:28. Believe- John 5:24, Mark 16:16, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 18:8. Confess- 1 John 4:15, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:35-38. Repent- Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Matthew 9:13. Baptized- John 3:5, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:5-13, Acts 8:35-38, Acts 9:17-19, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 16:13-15, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:1-5, Acts 22:16, Matthew 28:19. Then God adds you into the Church- Acts 2:41, Acts 2:47, Colossians 2:12, Galatians 3:27, Romans 6:3-11. Study the Scriptures daily- 2 Timothy 2:15. Endure to the end- Matthew 24:13.
Ben Jones
Supporter
John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Matt 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Luke 18:26-27 "The disciples asked 'Who then can be saved? And he {Jesus} said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.'"
These are several VERY unpopular verses because they show that man cannot save himself, only God can and does. In my 45 years of being saved I have seen a lot of people who "want to be saved" so they "ask Jesus into their hearts" and for a week or ten days they do the religious stuff they see others do, then they gradually go back to their old ways. Why? I suppose there are a number of reasons, but the biggest I suppose is what was their motive for wanting to be saved? Were they in trouble and felt that Jesus will get them over the hump and when He does they say thanks, see ya later, and abandon Him like a used tissue.
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
From the wording of your question, it seems you have the basics down so what do you lack? Many will tell you that if you just believe then you are saved. They are correct but that is way too simple a statement. Even demons believe Christ is the son of God. What they are leaving out is what “it means” to BELIEVE in Christ. First it says you should believe in his name and that the Father sent Him. In other words that He is God. If you have read much of the Bible, have you noticed that when someone met Jesus and believed who He was, they almost always fell on their knees? Why, because they understood what it meant that He was who He is. As God, He was their creator. As God He gave them life. As God He provided for them. As God he possessed eternal life and ONLY he held the keys. And it goes way beyond that. What would you do if Jesus stood before you and you really believed it was Him? In Matthew chapter 9, a man came to Jesus and asked “What must I do to have eternal life”? Jesus answered “Keep the commandments” and named a few. The man replied “I have always done so” (paraphrase) Jesus then told him “If you want to be PERFECT” (emphasis mine) then to “go and sell all your possessions and give to the poor”. He said this because he knew what was really important to this man as he was very rich. The man went away sad. In the rest of the chapter, Jesus explains to His disciples the encounter. I recommend you read it. I stated above that Jesus named a few of the commandments to the man. Elsewhere, Jesus said the two greatest commandments were 1”To love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and strength” and 2 “to love others as yourself”. (And that All the others were wrapped up in these two) When He told this man “If you want to be perfect” He reversed the order. When he told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, He was saying to Love others. When He said come and follow me, He was saying “LOVE ME!” So as I started out by stating, you have the basics down if you have truly believed and given your life to Jesus. So again, what are you lacking. I will paraphrase again “If you want to know you are SAVED, then LOVE ME, your Savior! And love others as yourself! Finally let me add: How do you learn to love Jesus with all your heart? First really take the time to understand ALL that He truly is. You do this by spending time with Him. Reading His Word. Speaking to Him in prayer and listening to His Spirit. Love will come and with it confidence. I think this is what Jesus was saying to His disciples in the rest of Matthew 19. And the answer to your question.
Frederick Thomas
Supporter
How do we know we are saved when there is no evidence? I feel that evidence grows as we read God’s word and live for Him. Along the way many of us has been recipients of God’s providence and at some times even been blessed in extraordinary manners. We knew it could only have been God and it kind of polish up the assurance we have. If our assurance is tossed to and fro the written word is given to stabilize us. 1Jn 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, So that you may know that you have eternal life. 1Jo_1:4, 1Jo_2:1, 1Jo_2:13-14, 1Jo_2:21, 1Jo_2:26; Joh_20:31, Joh_21:24 We may be looking for a dramatic entrance to prove your relationship with God. But must our entrance into God’s family always be dramatic? Read the following scriptures and see if you can see dramatic in the following “Christians” lives. Ephesians chapter 4, is instructions to born again believers (Eph 1:1, Eph 4:1). Look at their current manner of life. When I did research on this, this question was raised to me, “What do we have in the camp?” That, you worry why you don’t feel saved is at lease an effort of making your calling and election sure but the following Christians are sealed and they are in a terrible state. Did they come to faith been convicted in the heart, crying “What must we do to be saved?" Can these Christians of Ephesians 4, and many others be of the households of saved persons? In my research I found this to be in harmony with household salvation. Check these sealed Christians existing lifestyle and feel if these were serious converts who had regrets for their sins. Were they serious and actively checking on themselves to see whether they were walking clean? Eph 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. Eph 4:26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Eph 4:27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. Eph 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. The above new born Christian's sinful life did not exclude their sealing of the Spirit but the Spirit is uneasy with their sinful acts and desires, commands, exhorts them to grow into perfection. Their duty is to live up to what God already made them in Christ. Lets' read on in the same context. Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Does it say “get rid of your sin…and then you will be sealed?” No, these Christians were already sealed and are now to get a cleaned up. It is the church shepherd's duty to grow all Christians into maturity, especially the weak ones. The last thing the unsaved will do is to worry if they are saved or not. Thank God for the concern that you show about your Christian life way better then these sealed Ephesian family of ours. May God settle you.
Evelia Preciado
Supporter
Galatians 3:9-12 “So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”” “Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”” Galatians 3:11 NIV “The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”” So if you believe in Jesus and you decided to follow him, you are living a life in faith. Because you live a life in faith, even though you may have your good days and bad days, so long as you repent and try to change you are saved! Because you are saved by grace and not by the works of your hands. Jesus died for you on the cross freely; he gave us all salvation and we should be so grateful we try to live a life that is pleasing in faith.
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