Do you remember the day you were saved?

[skayp]

Does everyone remember the day they were saved? The answer I have been hearing is 'Of course', 'Absolutely' and 'If not, you are not saved'. But hear me out before answering first:
Family background - only attended the community church on Christmas Eve, bible 'camp' a couple of summers, no Christian support from family
Personnal background - I am a very private person and have always felt my relationship with God is between me and God. Thus, I have a hard time 'talking' to individuals about this subject. I have, however, been on my knees in private several times in the last five years asking Jesus to come into my life, saying 'the prayer', confessing that Jesus died on the cross for me. I realize it only takes 'once' but I never felt 'any different' the next day thus I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. After attending church regularly for the last year and a half, I was starting to feel a little more confident about my relationship with God. I even got baptized to publicly show my devotion in hopes that it would end my skepticism. Recently, the Sunday sermons have been on the subjects of 'you have to know that you know that you know' and 'everyone remembers the day they were saved'. Of course that has me all shaken up again because I don't have that 'day'.
I do remember two separate times in my earlier years; one when I was a teen and stood by the TV as they did a 'call to Jesus' on one of those TV evangelist shows and another when I was pregnant with my first child, did a bible study through the mail and then had a Pastor visit my house.
Bottom line question, is it possible that I was 'saved' during one of those moments and just didn't have the support afterwards to help me grow in Christ properly?

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

I personally had a distinct moment in time when I accepted the Lord and experienced a powerful moment, but this is the exception from others I have heard. 1 John tells us how to test ourselves to know if we are saved, but in general the "Fruits of the Spirit" that should begin to grow at the moment of salvation are denoted in Galatians 5:22 (NIV):

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against these things there is no law."

 

[christian08]

Skayp.... I understand your struggle, I think most Christians, I know I did and still do time to time, struggle with a doubt like that or any other doubts towards our faith. But remember this. When it comes to our faith my friend, it's not always about how we feel, cuz even scripture tells us, our feelings can and will fail us. The we we ALL need to live our lives through Christ is by what the Word of God says, not how we feel. SO, IF with all your heart you professed Christ as your God, your Lord and savior, you repented of your sins and acknowledge His resurrection; ALL in Scripture, then rest assured you are saved brother. Remember this as well, though we're of Christ and have the power, through Christ again, to not sin, doesn't mean satan can't and wont tempt to deceive you and make you question. Because doing that will reflect your feelings, that's why we result back to the Word of God, and prayer, lots of prayer.

 

[over the rainbow]

x

 

[Bouke285]

Salvation is not based on emotions, but as Titus 1:2 states "In hope of eternal life which God who can not lie promised before time began." A great little verse to memorize for those doubtful situations.

 

[bsd31]

Salvation is a life changing event. When one is saved they are a radically different person. It's not just obvious to them, but it's also obvious to everyone around them. It's not an event that is hidden from family and friends. It's a change at the very core of who one is.

Have you been totally and radically changed?

 

[Bouke285]

Salvation is a life changing event. When one is saved they are a radically different person. It's not just obvious to them, but it's also obvious to everyone around them. It's not an event that is hidden from family and friends. It's a change at the very core of who one is.

Have you been totally and radically changed?

Salvation comes by believing that Jesus Christ payed for all of our sins (not pretending to believe). There is no trick to salvation if you know you believe and tell God you believe then you are saved. We will always have thoughts thrown at us, "am I really saved?" Just remember salvation is based on an unbreakable covenant by God and can not be changed based on what others say salvation is. Salvation is between you and God ask him, believe and you will be saved. About the life changing event, I agree but also we will all struggle throughout our walk as a Christian I know that none of you can argue with this. God will always be there to get us back up and walking in the right direction. Our sin hurts him we must strive to walk in the foot steps of Jesus down the path making the sacrifices of righteousness.

 

[Sketcher]

Yes, I remember the day I was saved. I was baptized the next week, and the date from the church bulletin is burned into my mind. I also remember the day I rededicated myself - it was such a powerful experience and my state before that was so bad, I thought that might have been the time I really got saved for a while (the Holy Spirit has since convicted me that I was in fact a Christian before this happened). I remember what happened, and how I felt, and the month, but I don't remember the exact date.

I don't think you need to know the exact date of your coming to God in order to be saved. That's not what the Scripture tells us. What matters is that you did it, and that you're over the hump.

 

[heymikey80]

Nope. All I remember is the subject of the sermon (the Lamb of God) and my location in the balcony. I know vaguely what it was in that sermon that hit home (sacrifice for what I'd done wrong). But I don't remember anything else very clearly at all.

I don't remember any particular change in my feelings, either. No change in life's pressures. Plus, I'd say my spiritual growth was horribly slow for a good 8 years after that.

I remember a whole lot about other points in time in my spiritual life. In fact my next point in time I remember vividly, a kind of self-dedication -- I remember it vividly because I felt a lot worse afterward. I thought it'd be a mountain-top exhilarating experience. But it seemed like everything got much darker and more foreboding after that moment.

I've come to learn, getting all twisted-up inside is not a way to find out whether you know that you know. Scripture says pretty plainly how to know you know. But first, a word to avoid legalism.

The test for knowing is not the same as the method to get to knowing. OK? You can measure a 2x4 with a ruler -- but it'd be silly to try to cut a 2x4 with a ruler. The measurement is not the method.

One of the easier-to-gauge measurements is stated in 1 Jn 2:3: "We know that we've come to know Christ, when we are doing what He commands". Again, don't consider it like you might, legalism. This is not a method of coming to know Christ. But when you take stock of yourself in a few months, you can ask either yourself, or ask Christians who would see how you act, as to whether you're doing Christ's commands. Note also, it doesn't say you're not continuing to sin (in fact, just the opposite, see 1 John 1:8-10). This is strictly your "tilt" toward Christ. That's what John's getting at: your "tilt", not every single action.

 

[landseahorse]

I felt it only a few weeks ago,, I was sat in a lesson at school and all of a sudden I just felt this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love for Jesus. I realized he had sacrificed himself for us and then I just KNEW.... like i felt completely different and suddenly had no doubts about God. I feel so much more assured in my life

 

[Orahh]

For me, I don't have an exact date either. I accepted Jesus into my life, but it wasn't until two months later that I realised I had to believe and trust in Jesus.
Even up until now I have stuggled with accepting and understanding my salvation but I've come to realise a few things like trusting in christ's literal blood to cleanse us from sin, BELIEVING in him for what he's done and if unsure trusting him to let you know.

Exploring Prayer With Jack Hyles

 

[mdvs]

Like many of you, I can't relate to a specific date of my salvation. I know it was a night back in my father's shed, just before graduating from Hi School, I invited Jesus into my heart. HOWEVER! It honestly wasn't until YEARS later my salvation really became a reality and God started using me in His will and not mine. Now, at 55, I delight in the Lord, share when prompted by the Holy Spirit, BOLDLY move where He leads, and STILL bend in prayer sometimes and repeat a prayer of salvation in humble submission before the Lord. Because I "think" I'm lost and need to pray? No, but more of a recognition of the wonderfully, awesome gift God has given me In Jesus Christ, sealed me for ever, and laid at my feet His promises and His mercy and grace, again, through Jesus Christ.

Scripture tells me "work out your salvation DAILY!". But, am I "lost" every day as well? NO, not at all. Just, remaining humble, submitted, and guided by the Holy Spirit and reminded that, I am NOTHING without Jesus Christ, yet through Him and by Him, I am MORE than a conqueror.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I wish I could remember! I have a bad memory and as odd as it sounds I just always seemed to believe in God. My mother took us to church when I was very young but we stopped attending and my family never really went to church again. My parents are Christians but we didn't talk about God unless i asked them a question, they did not pray before meals except Thanksgiving and did not read the bible. So where all my faith came from so early on I am not sure, as I did not know many Christians who mentioned God. It just always seemed He was there. As a young teen I decided to just start praying every night. Then at 14 (or so) I decided to start reading the bible also. I don't remember a point in time where I decided to start believing for it seems like I just always believed. It would be cool to have a big bang story but alas...

 

[seashale76]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAlCze3ZFjA

 

[Miss Elly]

Does everyone remember the day they were saved? The answer I have been hearing is 'Of course', 'Absolutely' and 'If not, you are not saved'. But hear me out before answering first:
Family background - only attended the community church on Christmas Eve, bible 'camp' a couple of summers, no Christian support from family
Personnal background - I am a very private person and have always felt my relationship with God is between me and God. Thus, I have a hard time 'talking' to individuals about this subject. I have, however, been on my knees in private several times in the last five years asking Jesus to come into my life, saying 'the prayer', confessing that Jesus died on the cross for me. I realize it only takes 'once' but I never felt 'any different' the next day thus I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. After attending church regularly for the last year and a half, I was starting to feel a little more confident about my relationship with God. I even got baptized to publicly show my devotion in hopes that it would end my skepticism. Recently, the Sunday sermons have been on the subjects of 'you have to know that you know that you know' and 'everyone remembers the day they were saved'. Of course that has me all shaken up again because I don't have that 'day'.
I do remember two separate times in my earlier years; one when I was a teen and stood by the TV as they did a 'call to Jesus' on one of those TV evangelist shows and another when I was pregnant with my first child, did a bible study through the mail and then had a Pastor visit my house.
Bottom line question, is it possible that I was 'saved' during one of those moments and just didn't have the support afterwards to help me grow in Christ properly?

I remember the experience of being saved and the month and year, but not the exact day. I knew it because I was truly sorry for my sins and confessed that to God. I submitted to Him, although I was clueless about how "to be saved". I felt a presence come into my body, it was a comforting warm feeling. I felt loved, I felt my sins were forgiven. He has guided me ever since - for about 40 years now.

Doubts can be gotten rid of. Jesus Christ is real. Ask him to rid you of your doubts and to have a close loving relationship with him. God bless.

 

[SparkyMaddie]

i remember getting a little white bible and going out to eat!

 

[heron]

Lol, then you surely were brought into the Kingdom.


Bottom line question, is it possible that I was 'saved' during one of those moments and just didn't have the support afterwards to help me grow in Christ properly?

Oh, sure. Use the thief on the cross example. He was not baptized, did not go through the 4 spiritual laws, was not a law-abiding Jew, and did not ask for an infilling feeling.

I had a similar background to yours -- I prayed with devotion for about a year. Finally I was able to go to a revival service, and thought it was my big chance to do it. It was sort of a letdown -- I felt as though it was man's thing, where God and I already had a thing going. That in itself was a good lesson.

Later that year I was baptised too, but it was more of an effort to make sure I'd done everything correctly, dot the i's. (And it was be cool to be in a swimming pool baptism...blush.)