I never really grew up in the Church. Yes, I technically was an alter boy and was in the Catholic Church off and on, but I seemed to miss out on a lot of things that I’ve learned over time was “just the way it was” back in the day in the Church. Things like a Gospel glove, Sandi Patty, and rededication.
No offense to those who’ve used a Gospel glove or who have jammed out to Sandi Patti…those are great conversations for another day, but for this one, let’s talk about the rededication part.
There are a lot of people walking around confused or not sure of their salvation. Many are still looking for hope and satisfaction even though they would proclaim they follow Jesus. Why is this? Where is the confusion? Is it wrong to be sure of your salvation?
I don’t want to come across like I have never questioned this myself…for sure I have, but it doesn’t last long and if it did, it would drive me crazy. I don’t want to knock rededication in terms of someone who is wanting to draw near to Christ, but I’m talking more about someone who wants to “rededicate” and get “saved again.” Here are ways we can be SURE we have obtained salvation through Jesus Christ, for those who follow Him.
The Bible Doesn’t Lie
“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.” – 1 John 5:13
The Bible doesn’t lie to us. God doesn’t lie to us. It says as clear as day – if you believe in the Son of God (Jesus) you may know that you have eternal life. Boom! There it is! So when someone says, “how do you know you are saved?” or “are you sure you’re going to heaven?” you can actually say yes because you believe in Jesus Christ.
I could just stop this post right here and that would be enough since the Bible is the ultimate authority, but let’s keep going.
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13
This passage in Romans is another example of how we can be sure. If you have called on the name of Christ, you will be saved. God won’t contradict Himself or His Word, and will keep His Word in the fact that if you follow Jesus, you’ve been rescued.
The Holy Spirit is Our Guarantee
We have the Holy Spirit in us as we become believers (Ephesians 1:13-14) and that guarantees our salvation. We would not and could not have the Holy Spirit if we weren’t saved. He is the one who reminds us and gives us assurance of our salvation because of what Jesus did for us on the cross and by Him rising again from the grave.
He leads us, comforts us, teaches us, convicts us, and affirms us every step of the way in our walk as believers. The better question in regards to the Holy Spirit is…do we really believe this? Do we trust in the Holy Spirit or even ask God to empower us by His Spirit? As we draw near to Christ, we will more and more believe through the Holy Spirit that we are children of God.
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” – Romans 8:15-16
Our Lives Look Different Than Before
Perfection is never the goal when following Jesus. In fact, we realize even more just how much we fall short and will never reach that goal because Jesus is perfect and was perfect on our behalf. We strive to live holy and obedient lives as we follow Christ because He commands us to do so and really…how could we not live for Him and serve Him that way after all that He has done for us?
If we were going to be perfect, what would be the point of the Cross? If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8).
That means our lives will look different than before. It doesn’t mean we will never sin, but it does mean we will be convicted by sin and will repent from sin. It doesn’t mean we will have the Bible completely memorized, but it does mean we will read it consistently and try to memorize passages from it. It doesn’t mean we will never struggle or even question our salvation, but it does mean that we will use the Bible and the promises from the Holy Spirit to be confident in answering “yes” to the question about our salvation.
“If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” – 1 John 2:29
We can only do anything at all because of what Christ has already done for us. We need to remind ourselves of the Gospel each day, remembering we only obtain salvation through Jesus Christ and only have the Holy Spirit because of what He did for us. As we grow in our relationship with God, ask yourself, “Am I decreasing each day while He increases?” We continually recognize just how sinful we are and for that reason, the cross should become bigger to us each day as we praise Him for His grace and mercy given to us. That is the life of a Christian.
We can only do anything at all because of what Christ has already done for us.
The answer is yes, you can have assurance of salvation if you believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him. Now go, be confident in this…be confident in Him, and look to glorify Him in all that you do!
Here are other Frequently Asked Questions and how the Bible answers them.
Questions: Do you know that you are saved? Are you confident of this? Why do you suppose you ever doubt this? Please comment below and join the discussion.
My children were saved at a young age but we didn’t live like we were supposed to. We attended church and both my children and myself were baptized. We always prayed but always fell short in God’s eyes I’m sure. My son committed suicide in 2015 and my daughter was killed in a car accident November 2023. I am so troubled because they were young. Both sinned and I’m not sure if they repented. Could they be in hell? I cry and pray for them all the time but it seems God doesn’t hear me.
Hey Tamisha, Thank you for reading and for sharing. I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. I’m going to share some scripture here that I think would be best for you to look over. Only because I think the power of God and His Word can minister to you during this time much better than anyone else could including me. Salvation is found in Jesus alone. In everything that He did for us and nothing that we can do for ourselves. Simply put, we have a Savior because we need a Savior. The Bible says for everyone who believes in… Read more »
I’ve been saved for about a month now. I thought I had been saved much earlier, but a life of unrepentant sin and callousness to the things of God convinced me that I wasn’t. My life has made a dramatic change since then. I completely stopped looking at pornography and the Lord quieted the rage in my heart I had toward a family who I had thought did me wrong several years ago. I’ve also been reading the Bible consistently, which I have never wanted to do before, and have had a stronger prayer life than my entire life prior… Read more »
Hey Gabriel, Thanks so much for reading and for sharing. And for being vulnerable. I know that is hard to do but I think it is God honoring to put it out there and have conversations like this so thank you. You know I always want to be careful on making a specific calls about people especially when I don’t know them personally but I think I can encourage you with the Word on your question. I think it’s amazing you are wanting to read the Bible, to pray, to forgive, those are all great signs as a follower of… Read more »
My question is about the part where it says they will know them by their fruit. I am trying so hard to understand what it means to be a Christian. I believe in Jesus, and the Trinity, but I still fall short with the fruit. I don’t see the fruit of the spirit in me. I still struggle with grumbling and complaining. I don’t feel like I LOVE my neighbor like I should. I have little joy in my life. Very little peace. I was raised in church. I went to Christian school. I asked Jesus into my heart when… Read more »
Hey Lori! Thanks so much for reading and for sharing and reaching out. I know it’s always scary and vulnerable to do something like that but that alone already says a lot about your faith and maturity. You wouldn’t reach out if you didn’t already care so that’s a great move. The Bible states that to believe in Jesus is to believe that He was fully God, fully man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying the penalty for all of our sins (past, present, and future), and rose again 3 days later defeating death and sin. For… Read more »
Yes, but what does following Jesus Christ mean? Christ has already paid the price for our sins through his infinite atonement, but we still have things we need to do in order to receive exaltation. We need to have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized with the proper authority from God, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. I think for me following Jesus Christ is constantly relying on him and his atonement and trying to be better by repenting of my mistakes. I also think it means trying to be like Jesus by… Read more »
Hey Hannah, thanks so much for reading and for reaching out! I agree with you on the fact that Christianity isn’t passive and following Jesus calls for striving and active obedience. Yes, for sure. And at the same time, there’s zero we do to earn our salvation, but everything Jesus has done for our salvation. Following Jesus means….to follow Him. He’s in charge. Like you said, we put our faith and trust in Him, and we do things like get baptized out of obedience to Christ and we are sealed with the Holy Spirit as we believe in Him. We’ll… Read more »
None of us are perfect – that’s why we have need of the Savior….
Agreed Andrea, thanks for sharing!
Hey, Mike. Great stuff here! I appreciate your thoughts on all of this and your responses to those who had questions. Feel free to check out my site listed below. I’d love to have your feedback. Keep up the wonderful work!
Thanks so much Chuck! Appreciate you sharing and I’ll check it out!
Is it Satan trying to make me believe I can no longer be saved??? Giving me all this fear and anxiety or is it the Fear of God trying to get my attention or just letting me know I’m too late??
See below for the answers to all of this. Thanks!
Was I truly not a Christian before and now I am?? Do I need to go get baptized again because I truly wasn’t a Christian before?? I mean II saw some changes in myself but not truly ever listening to the Holy Spirit and following his ways Judy mostly my selfish desires
See below Deborah, I gave you an answer below.
I am now turning from my sin and seeking him and trying to listen to the Holy Spirit but are you ever too late ???
See below Deborah, I gave you a more thorough answer below.
I sitting here unable to sleep ….. I was up all night on my knees praying to him…. he showed me I was living a life like a Pharisee and not really following him but following the world and continueing to sin.. living worldly instead of reading my Bible ….. but now sometimes when I go to the Bible all I see is his wrath and that I’m to late and my continued sin has manifest to death …( I was feeling pain and pressure in my side and was for sure God had given me cancer because of his… Read more »
Hey Deborah, thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry about the anxiety but I think I can encourage you with some things. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 If you back up and think of God’s character, He gave up His one and only Son for us…He desires all would reach repentance and does NOT wish anyone would perish…He gives strength to the weary…He provides rest to us, peace to us, etc. Yes, God… Read more »
Thank you so much….. God has given me the peace I need as I called out to him….. I know now I am living by the spirit now and trying to listen as he guides me …please pray for me that I release this evil spirit of anxiety and not give in to Satan and that I can discern what is coming from God and what is coming from Satan….that I am no longer condemned….. when I go to the Bible to read that I hear his words not Satan trying to twist them and make me believe I am… Read more »
Absolutely, will do. Yes, satan will try to steer you away from God or whisper lies to you. Be on guard for that but also be confident that Jesus has already won the war. If you read the Bible for what is actually says, you’ll see there’s no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Why did Jesus say:Never Knew You 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’. If says they acknowledge him as Lord? But practice lawlessness? I’ve seen testimonials about Christians going to hell… Read more »
Hey Edgar, thanks for sharing. The Bible is clear on how we can know if we are saved..by having a relationship with Jesus that includes following Him and striving the live lives that are holy and set apart from sin.
The Scripture you referenced is for those who never knew Him. They may have claimed “I follow Jesus” but in fact never really did and continued to willingly sin so therefore they were never followers of Jesus in the first place.
Hope that helps! Thanks again for sharing.
Obey Acts 2:38 the Epistles were written to the church believers that were baptized in Jesus name and filled with His spirit in order for you to have His spirit you must speak in other tongues. .
Hey Tanisha, thank you for sharing. It doesn’t seem Biblically accurate for you to say that you must speak in other tongues in order to have the Holy Spirit. We are told we have the Holy Spirit as we believe and trust in Jesus Christ.
Not sure what you meant there, but if you wanted to elaborate, feel free to do so. Thanks!
I’m struggling so much right now. I recently stumbled upon your website and wow. It’s amazing and easy to understand a lot of these points. What a blessing. My stumbling block is this…. I’m trying so hard to believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be. I actually confessed many times during my life that He is my Lord and my Savior but have fallen away numerous times. This isn’t anything i’m proud though I realize that it’s evidence that we are all sinners and fall short. Every day I pray to Him and ask the Lord to show… Read more »
I know at one time i was saved. The problem is the devil has been riding me for three years wanting me to say I’m not a Christian anymore. Now I don’t want to follow Jesus. How can I turn my will around into wanting to follow Jesus again? This has been a daily, moment by moment battle with no rest. I can feel inside myself that I am going to hell when I die. I have no good fruit in my life even though I don’t want to do bad. I just can’t seem to come back. Honestly I… Read more »
Thank you for sharing. I’m very sorry for the struggle you are in right now. I would suggest picking up the Bible asap and reading through one of the Gospels. Maybe John or Matthew? Either way, I think you need to read the Word of God to remind you of who Jesus is, what He has done, and the life and salvation you can find in Him. God’s Word is perfect and very clear in terms of the fact that if you have truly decided to follow Jesus, then you are saved at that moment. Maybe read through this post… Read more »
I’m struggling so much right now. I recently stumbled upon your website and wow. It’s amazing and easy to understand a lot of these points. What a blessing. My stumbling block is this…. I’m trying so hard to believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be. I actually confessed many times during my life that He is my Lord and my Savior but have fallen away numerous times. This isn’t anything i’m proud though I realize that it’s evidence that we are all sinners and fall short. Every day I pray to Him and ask the Lord to show… Read more »
Thank you SO MUCH Brandon for sharing!! Appreciate the encouragement! Following Jesus isn’t always perfect and is typically a struggle. We need to remind ourselves of the Gospel each and every day. I can’t speak to where exactly you are, but if you believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior and that He died on the cross and rose again from the grave, then you ARE saved. It’s not a matter of you losing it or questioning it, but rather a true and real fact…if you believe. Let’s dig into your questions: Yes, Jesus is the atonement for all our… Read more »
How can I hear god
Hey Nathan, great question! We actually just wrote about that here – https://beforethecross.com/devotionals/how-to-hear-from-god-every-day/
I’d encourage you to read that and see what The Lord has to say about hearing from Him.
Thanks so much!
I have ocd scruplosity and I doubt my salvation constantly. I fear everyday that I am not enough to be given the gift of grace. I envy others who are confident in Christ and want so badly to end the consternation in my mind. I love God, I believe Jesus is his son, is risen and is my Lord. I just don’t know how to cast all my care on him because I fear if I stop the struggle, the devil will get in.
Hey Jess, thanks so much for sharing. I’d like to encourage you from what you said that I believe that no one is “good enough” to be given the gift of grace. If we got what we all really deserved, it would be death and separation from God. THAT though is the beauty of the cross and what Jesus has done. Even while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. Be encouraged that you’ll never be “enough” because Jesus was enough on your behalf. If you believe He is your Lord and Savior and you follow Him, you ARE… Read more »
Thank you so much. I believe and I am trying desperately to give my worry to God. I am trying to completely trust him and feel so blessed you responded to my post. Although it is a struggle, I won’t give up hope. It will all pay off in the end! :) God’s humble servant, jess
Great to hear it Jess! You can most definitely put your trust in The Lord and He won’t let you down! Thanks so much for sharing!
Help I lost my salvation out of pride knowing who God was choosing for husband and as holy spirit told me to praise pray and read instead I told him let me go back to world run own life and that day spirit left me. Then as time went on a he’ll thought got stuck in head that I was going there and I thought it was coming from God and accepted going there and then told God first I destroy business and then self. Hardened heart and left faith. GOD TOLD ME OUT OF FAMILY AND jesus spoke through… Read more »
Hey Marsha, thanks for sharing. I’d encourage you to slowly read back through the post. Salvation is not dependent on us gaining or losing it, but it’s all about Jesus and what He has done for you and for me. It’s possible maybe you never really trusted Jesus before? Maybe you have and you’ve just fallen into sin and haven’t confessed it? Regardless of the situation God desires to have a relationship with you through His Son and all He calls us to do is trust in Him and believe. That means repenting too of our sins and choosing from… Read more »