Am I still saved if I doubt my salvation?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Scripture teaches that faith in the Lord saves and that, once a person is saved, his or her salvation is secure. Though belief in Jesus applies to the New Testament only, his death and atonement for sins was efficacious for all people at all times, including Old Testament believers. For example, Abraham’s faith in God was “counted . . . to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). The New Testament makes it clear that salvation comes through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9). Also, the Bible teaches that once saved, believers cannot lose their salvation (John 10:28; 1 John 5:13). In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul challenges his readers to be certain they have truly come to faith in Jesus Christ, because the answer to this question determines where we spend eternity. When we receive salvation, we are made into a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), and this means our actions should align with our new, God-given identity in Christ (James 2:14-16). Changed behavior should include the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness” and “self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Our changed ways should also include obeying God and loving others well since these demonstrate our love for God (1 John 5:2). These signs of a changed life often manifest gradually in the process of God sanctifying His children (Philippians 1:6), yet because of our sin nature (Romans 3:23), believers never become perfect during their time on Earth. Even so, some who call themselves believers do not lead lives that testify to that; the Bible indicates that this doesn’t mean they lost their “salvation,” but likely means they were never actually saved (1 John 2:19).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Though salvation through Jesus is in the New Testament only, Old Testament saints were saved through faith in God. An example is Abraham, who answered God’s call to leave his country and believed in God’s promises to make him a great nation (Genesis 12, 15).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• To be spiritually born-again, we must believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9).
• Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” If we have been adopted as a child of God, He has permanently changed our identity.
• We must take salvation in Christ seriously. Second Corinthians 13:5 advises, "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves."
• When we come to faith in Jesus, a natural result is change in our spiritual life. Such changes may not occur quickly or may ebb and flow, but believers will desire to live out the fruits of the Holy Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23).
• Taking action in our faith by loving others well is crucial to living according to our new identity in Christ (James 2:14-16).
• Following God’s teachings is something we must do as we pursue a closer relationship with Him. First John 5:2 instructs, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments." Salvation is by faith alone, but a true faith in God will show a love for God as well as an interest in serving Him and others.
• The apostle John taught that we can know for certain we have eternal life, which is based on belief in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Doubt is a natural part of life. Every person has doubts, including about salvation. If you can honestly answer yes to the four questions below, you are expressing signs of a person who truly knows Jesus Christ and should feel more assured of your salvation:

Have you believed in Jesus as Lord and that He rose from the dead?

Have you experienced any changes in your spiritual life?

Do you desire to love others?

Do you love God and desire to follow God's teachings?

If not, perhaps it is time to put your faith in Jesus now.

If you have further questions about what salvation means, please visit our Truth about Salvation page. If you feel you understand salvation and are ready to put your faith in Christ, you can tell Him. No special prayer of salvation is needed. Words will not save you; only Jesus can. However you can use a prayer similar to the one below to accept Jesus as your Savior and receive eternal life:

"Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God's Son who lived a sinless life, died in my place, and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life."

Have you decided to follow Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the "I have accepted Christ today" button below.

I have accepted Christ today.

UNDERSTAND

• Salvation comes through faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
• Once someone is saved, his or her salvation is secured.
• God sanctifies His children so that our lives testify to our newness in Christ.

REFLECT

• What are some ways that your life changed after you were saved?
• How is your everyday life impacted by the knowledge that your salvation is assured?
• What steps do you take when you have doubts about your salvation?

ENGAGE

• How can the church dispel notions that only “good people” can be saved?
• What resistance might believers encounter in today’s culture to the message of eternal salvation?
• How do good works figure into a believer’s testimony?