How Do I Know I Am Saved?

While our faith builds as we study the Bible on a daily basis, I think that at some point in time just about everyone has had a question about their own salvation. I know I went through just such a period of inner turmoil. It was unsettlling for me, as I'm sure it is for others, but God would not want us to live that way (At the time the simplicity of God's grace was so simple a subject that I couldn't fully grasp it. I thought I was surely missing some point). So how do you know you're saved for real? My addressing this question is certainly not original and I would direct you to the excellent book, "How Do I Know I'm Saved" by Norman Bales, from which I stole the title to this post. For those of you who know me personally, if you but ask I will lend you my copy to read.

From what I have studied on the subject, I would lead you to study the following points which answer the question:

1. You must be "in Christ" in order to be saved.
A. 1 Jno. 5:11 - Eternal life is found in Christ the Son;
B. 2 Cor. 5: 17 - When we obey the gospel, we become a "new creature;"
C. Eph. 1: 3-14 - God intended to adopt us as His own all along through His Son. He freely gives us His grace;
D. Col. 1: 12-14 - In Christ, we have redemption of our sins.

2. You must obey Christ.
A. 1 Jno. 2:3-6 - If we say we know him, yet do not do what he says, we're liars;
B. Heb. 5: 8-9 - Jesus, even though he was sinless and deity (God in the flesh), obeyed God the Father;
C. 1 Pet. 1:13-14 - Be pro-active in getting yourself under control. Strive to lead a holy life.

3. You must follow Jesus' example.
A. 1 Jno. 2:6 - Our "walk" (way of life) is evident of our claim to live in him;
B. Jno. 13: 13-17 - Jesus was humble enough to serve others and so should we be. No servant is greater than his master;
C. Jno. 8: 12 - He is light and if we follow him we will stop walking in a state of worldliness.

4. We must let God's Word dwell in us.
A. 1 Jno. 2: 14 - You can overcome evil when his word dwells in you;
B. Col. 3: 16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."

5. You must love God.
A. 1 Jno. 2:15-17 - We're not to fall in love with the world because it is not of God;
B. 1 Jno. 4: 10 - He loved us enough to sacrifice His only child for our sins. We should love Him because He loved us that much (v. 19);
C. Matt. 22: 37 - We are to love Him with our whole being;
D. 1 Jno. 5: 1-2 - We prove our love for God and that we're His children when we follow through on His commandments.

6. You must practice doing right (righteousness).
A. 1 Jno. 3: 8-10 - If we persist in doing what is evil, we are of the devil. Jesus was sent to destroy the devil's work. Once we are "born of God," we will not continually and willfully sin.
B. 1 Jno. 2: 28-29 - Everyone who is born of Him does what is right.

I am not saying we are, or ever will be sinlessly perfect. That's where Christ's blood comes in--to cover our sins because we've obeyed the gospel and we continually acknowledge when we've wronged God and ask his forgiveness. However, we also don't need to live in constant fear that God's just up there waiting for us to mess up so He can take a big swipe at us. I believe He knows when you're trying to live right and He will reward you for it. Keep on keepin' on.

Love Ya,
God Bless!