How do you know you're saved?

[31gH9N.9.]

How do you know that you're saved?
I cannot say that I have ever had the assurance that I am saved. I have always doubted my salvation and for quite a while I was absolutely convinced I was still lost. I desire something greater than I've known before, the only problem is I can't describe what I'm looking for because I don't know what it is. Sometimes I think I'm psyching myself up to something that doesn't exist, and I just need to be happy where I am and just do better and obey more. A huge problem for me is obeying, which for me alot of the time means denying myself all sorts of foods that I enjoy, and even fasting whenever I'm not at work. It means not going and having fun doing things like fishing, I have a super weak conscience and it condemns me for almost everything so it is harder for me to obey than it should be. I will say that there are many legit sins that I struggle with like having hateful thoughts towards others, judgemental thoughts, lustful thoughts, and the sorts, but I really try not to let it show to others and to stop doing them. I try to live a morally right life every day and try to do the right thing no matter how much of an inconvenience it is.

I also think I need to share the gospel with people more, but when I do, I get convicted that I don't even really know Jesus so who am I to tell them what to believe. I can't tell someone about how he saved me because I don't have any assurance of it myself. Recently I 've begun again to think I'm not really saved and I get a very strong desire to seek out the Lord , but then something in me tells me I've been saved but just walking out of step with God because I'm not doing good enough. I have so many dreams where death is hunting me down in some sort of way and I'm always just narrowly escaping, only to have to keep running. I'm not someone who is super into dream interpretation but I think our dreams can sometimes at least be a reflection of what is going on in our life at the moment.

I guess I just need to know if I'm really saved or not. It would be stupid if I went through life thinking I was when I wasn't, and also stupid if it was vice versa. I really want something more and I've been praying for that because if I had an assurance that would just be amazing. I want to be as confident as the people that wrote some of the old hymns like Sweetly Resting (in the rifted rock), Blessed Assurance, All the way my savior leads me, etc,...

I want peace so much, but when I think k that and search it out I just begin to think I just need to do more stuff like clean my room more and eat less and never go out and have fun, start keeping the sabbath, praying better, etc...

Sometimes I've even thought in order to come to Jesus I must be homeless, never talk to my parents again, and reject Paul's writings. I read the Bible a lot so I'm well acquainted with passages that contradict these notions, but somehow my mind twists the scripture to make them mean things they probably don't mean. I used to be scared to read the Bible because I always thought God was telling me through it to quit my job and go be homeless in the big city etc...

 

[God is good]

Hi, my name is Zack and I'm a christian too. I am worried about not being saved too, but just remember that as long as you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and you trust in God and Jesus Christ to save you then you will be ok. I would like to pray for us if that's ok. Heavenly Father Lord God maker of Heaven and Earth, please help both of us become saved and Jesus Christ you are our Lord and we love you, we pray for forgiveness for all of our sins, and we pray this in Jesus's name amen. Jesus is Lord and God loves us.

 

[TurtleFish The Challenged]

I pray you and Zack have your hearts (innermost being) illuminated, that confusion and doubt would have no place. I pray this in Jesus's name. I also pray that both of you will have the knowledge and wisdom from God's Word to bring you into a personal relationship and/or reassurance you are truely His and that any bondage of Satan would be loose, taking away his blinding power.

I been there, BE STILL. Know that he is God, quiet yourself in the midst of the storm, be honest and open your heart with humility before Him. I pray Christ blesses both of you and gives you what you need. If the Lord convicts you, please don't run like I did for years. Such a dangerous thing to do!

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Heres my post from another topic:
Why do I feel so helpless

 

[JIMINZ]

How do you know that you're saved?
I cannot say that I have ever had the assurance that I am saved. I have always doubted my salvation and for quite a while I was absolutely convinced I was still lost. I desire something greater than I've known before, the only problem is I can't describe what I'm looking for because I don't know what it is. Sometimes I think I'm psyching myself up to something that doesn't exist, and I just need to be happy where I am and just do better and obey more. A huge problem for me is obeying, which for me alot of the time means denying myself all sorts of foods that I enjoy, and even fasting whenever I'm not at work. It means not going and having fun doing things like fishing, I have a super weak conscience and it condemns me for almost everything so it is harder for me to obey than it should be. I will say that there are many legit sins that I struggle with like having hateful thoughts towards others, judgemental thoughts, lustful thoughts, and the sorts, but I really try not to let it show to others and to stop doing them. I try to live a morally right life every day and try to do the right thing no matter how much of an inconvenience it is.

I also think I need to share the gospel with people more, but when I do, I get convicted that I don't even really know Jesus so who am I to tell them what to believe. I can't tell someone about how he saved me because I don't have any assurance of it myself. Recently I 've begun again to think I'm not really saved and I get a very strong desire to seek out the Lord , but then something in me tells me I've been saved but just walking out of step with God because I'm not doing good enough. I have so many dreams where death is hunting me down in some sort of way and I'm always just narrowly escaping, only to have to keep running. I'm not someone who is super into dream interpretation but I think our dreams can sometimes at least be a reflection of what is going on in our life at the moment.

I guess I just need to know if I'm really saved or not. It would be stupid if I went through life thinking I was when I wasn't, and also stupid if it was vice versa. I really want something more and I've been praying for that because if I had an assurance that would just be amazing. I want to be as confident as the people that wrote some of the old hymns like Sweetly Resting (in the rifted rock), Blessed Assurance, All the way my savior leads me, etc,...

I want peace so much, but when I think k that and search it out I just begin to think I just need to do more stuff like clean my room more and eat less and never go out and have fun, start keeping the sabbath, praying better, etc...

Sometimes I've even thought in order to come to Jesus I must be homeless, never talk to my parents again, and reject Paul's writings. I read the Bible a lot so I'm well acquainted with passages that contradict these notions, but somehow my mind twists the scripture to make them mean things they probably don't mean. I used to be scared to read the Bible because I always thought God was telling me through it to quit my job and go be homeless in the big city etc...

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

If your looking for a feeling, it isn't in a feeling.
If your looking for a conformation of your Salvation, you won't find it, that is why what we have, is called FAITH.

The assurance you are looking for, comes in the form of God's Promises, Assurances, Declarations of Truth.
When you doubt, your are not doubting yourself, your are doubting what God has said in His Word concerning you.

Rom. 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Mar 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Rom. 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Rom. 10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

In other words, it's time to stop being Condemned, and start Believing.

Rom 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 6:2,3
2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

You are Baptized right?

 

[TurtleFish The Challenged]

Romans 8:14

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" King James Version

 

[God is good]

I pray you and Zack have your hearts (innermost being) illuminated, that confusion and doubt would have no place. I pray this in Jesus's name. I also pray that both of you will have the knowledge and wisdom from God's Word to bring you into a personal relationship and/or reassurance you are truely His and that any bondage of Satan would be loose, taking away his blinding power.

I been there, BE STILL. Know that he is God, quiet yourself in the midst of the storm, be honest and open your heart with humility before Him. I pray Christ blesses both of you and gives you what you need. If the Lord convicts you, please don't run like I did for years. Such a dangerous thing to do!

Thank you very very much for posting and for praying, I pray that God and the good Lord Jesus Christ bless you also. God is good and Jesus Christ is Lord

 

[31gH9N.9.]

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

If your looking for a feeling, it isn't in a feeling.
If your looking for a conformation of your Salvation, you won't find it, that is why what we have, is called FAITH.

The assurance you are looking for, comes in the form of God's Promises, Assurances, Declarations of Truth.
When you doubt, your are not doubting yourselves, your are doubting what God has said in His Word concerning you.

Rom. 10:10
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Mar 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Rom. 9:33
As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Rom. 10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

In other words, it's time to stop being Condemned, and start Believing.

Rom 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Rom 6:2,3
2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

You are Baptized right?

I have been baptized. And sometimes I wonder if I'm just looking for a feeling and need to stop. I can look back to a point in time where I was one hundred percent assured that Jesus died for me and knowing that love just pierced my heart. Even after that though I started doubting within a couple days. So sometimes I think I need to stop going off of feelings and just practice taking God at His word, but one of my biggest fears is being comfortable and fooling myself when I'm really lost.

 

[JIMINZ]

I have been baptized. And sometimes I wonder if I'm just looking for a feeling and need to stop. I can look back to a point in time where I was one hundred percent assured that Jesus died for me and knowing that love just pierced my heart. Even after that though I started doubting within a couple days. So sometimes I think I need to stop going off of feelings and just practice taking God at His word, but one of my biggest fears is being comfortable and fooling myself when I'm really lost.

If you take your time and go back through the verses I posted to you, then there should be no doubt left, take God at His word, you are Saved! ! !

Like I said it's called FAITH because you have no proof.
Can you prove God exists?
Can you prove God Created everything?
Can you prove Jesus was the son of God?
Can you prove Jesus died for your sins?

See what I mean, you have to take it all on Faith

Stop doubting and start living, in the Spirit that is.

YOU ARE SAVED

 

[Rigatoni]

I don't think it's possible to have assurance of salvation by looking at the past, looking inside ourselves for some sort of evidence or paying attention to feelings, because we can be fooled by these things. Our only assurance comes from having victory over sin and being able to keep our eyes fixed on Christ (i.e. faith). Faith is not something we force or drum up, it's a gift from the Holy Spirit; it's simply giving up and resting in Christ knowing His promises are true, not because we force ourselves to believe them, but because the Holy Spirit empowers us to do so.

If you have any degree of victory over sin, you're a Christian and are genuinely saved. And victory over sin doesn't have to be anything big like instantly giving up drinking. It can be something small like repenting of doubt. Doubt can be a good thing sometimes, but eventually we will be able to rest in Christ and in His promises.

Just seek God on this issue until He sends the Holy Spirit to minister to you and give you assurance. Seek Him in prayer and in His word / promises, and don't stop until you have breakthrough. Hope this helps =)

 

[31gH9N.9.]

I don't think it's possible to have assurance of salvation by looking at the past, looking inside ourselves for some sort of evidence or paying attention to feelings, because we can be fooled by these things. Our only assurance comes from having victory over sin and being able to keep our eyes fixed on Christ (i.e. faith). Faith is not something we force or drum up, it's a gift from the Holy Spirit; it's simply giving up and resting in Christ knowing His promises are true, not because we force ourselves to believe them, but because the Holy Spirit empowers us to do so.

If you have any degree of victory over sin, you're a Christian and are genuinely saved. And victory over sin doesn't have to be anything big like instantly giving up drinking. It can be something small like repenting of doubt. Doubt can be a good thing sometimes, but eventually we will be able to rest in Christ and in His promises.

Just seek God on this issue until He sends the Holy Spirit to minister to you and give you assurance. Seek Him in prayer and in His word / promises, and don't stop until you have breakthrough. Hope this helps =)

Thank you and it does definitely help. This has been my plan. Sometimes I get scared when I wake up after a nap and the first thoughts running through my head are "give up it's hopeless" and I can't even describe what it feel like to think that way. But after I get up and get going those thoughts go away

 

[Faith Alone 1 Cor 15:1-4]

How do you know that you're saved?
I cannot say that I have ever had the assurance that I am saved. I have always doubted my salvation and for quite a while I was absolutely convinced I was still lost. I desire something greater than I've known before, the only problem is I can't describe what I'm looking for because I don't know what it is. Sometimes I think I'm psyching myself up to something that doesn't exist, and I just need to be happy where I am and just do better and obey more. A huge problem for me is obeying, which for me alot of the time means denying myself all sorts of foods that I enjoy, and even fasting whenever I'm not at work. It means not going and having fun doing things like fishing, I have a super weak conscience and it condemns me for almost everything so it is harder for me to obey than it should be. I will say that there are many legit sins that I struggle with like having hateful thoughts towards others, judgemental thoughts, lustful thoughts, and the sorts, but I really try not to let it show to others and to stop doing them. I try to live a morally right life every day and try to do the right thing no matter how much of an inconvenience it is.

I also think I need to share the gospel with people more, but when I do, I get convicted that I don't even really know Jesus so who am I to tell them what to believe. I can't tell someone about how he saved me because I don't have any assurance of it myself. Recently I 've begun again to think I'm not really saved and I get a very strong desire to seek out the Lord , but then something in me tells me I've been saved but just walking out of step with God because I'm not doing good enough. I have so many dreams where death is hunting me down in some sort of way and I'm always just narrowly escaping, only to have to keep running. I'm not someone who is super into dream interpretation but I think our dreams can sometimes at least be a reflection of what is going on in our life at the moment.

I guess I just need to know if I'm really saved or not. It would be stupid if I went through life thinking I was when I wasn't, and also stupid if it was vice versa. I really want something more and I've been praying for that because if I had an assurance that would just be amazing. I want to be as confident as the people that wrote some of the old hymns like Sweetly Resting (in the rifted rock), Blessed Assurance, All the way my savior leads me, etc,...

I want peace so much, but when I think k that and search it out I just begin to think I just need to do more stuff like clean my room more and eat less and never go out and have fun, start keeping the sabbath, praying better, etc...

Sometimes I've even thought in order to come to Jesus I must be homeless, never talk to my parents again, and reject Paul's writings. I read the Bible a lot so I'm well acquainted with passages that contradict these notions, but somehow my mind twists the scripture to make them mean things they probably don't mean. I used to be scared to read the Bible because I always thought God was telling me through it to quit my job and go be homeless in the big city etc...

1) 1 Cor 15:1-4
When God says he give you eternal life , if you could lose it then it was not eternal in first place. God can't lie so it's ethernal.

2)Titus 1:2
No need commentary.

3) Prodigal son blow away his father's money , but he did not stop being his child . When you are born again you are Child of God , you can't be unborn .

4) This verse kills dubt .
2 Samuel 7:14-16

 

[1watchman]

Yes, some counsel here has given a sound reply to "feeling saved". The Bible is clear (as in John 1; John 3; John 14) on how to be saved ---but many souls will not read the messages (a seeker also should read Romans 3). If one has received the Lord Jesus into their heart as the only Savior, and are walking and talking with Him daily, that one will soon find the Holy Spirit has sealed one as a "child of God" and will then KNOW God is ever in one, and can go on in peace with Him.

Christianity is not religious works and ideas, but faith in the Savior who died on the Cross for all who will receive Him. Therein is the difficulty for some souls, for they only intellectualize Bible verses, and do not KNOW the Son of God ---the only way to know the Father. Keep looking up and reading the new Testament, and get acquainted with the Son of God!

 

[31gH9N.9.]

It's just all so crazy, sometimes I think I just need to surrender my life to Him and Ill have peace. But as soon as I think that I think that He wants me to quit my job immediately and go be homeless and sometimes even think he wants me to never talk to my parents again. If this is not what God wants me to do then it's hopeless because the persuasion is so powerful it's completely overwhelming and shuts out any other options completely.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

*deleted*

 

[nChrist]

The best way to describe how overwhelming this notion is, is that if I lived for one hundred more years and the persuasion was never softened, I do not believe it would be possible to go to the grave without submitting to it, because of the great weariness it brings to my soul day in and day out.
Even tonight as I lay down in my bed, the only way I can find peace is to in my soul deeply consider changing my course by submitting to the persuasion and living a life of poverty on the streets, and teaching people that a large portion of the new testament is not to be trusted. I don't want to think this way but I don't think I can any longer bear it. If I am wrong then God has predestined me to be a heretic and a deceiver doomed to destruction, and that is the reason that despite my greatest efforts to believe, I find myself still blinded.

You sound terribly confused, and it wouldn't be nice for you to share your confusion with others. Jesus Christ went willingly to the Cross, and He revealed why to the Apostle Paul. The writings of the Apostle Paul will solve your confusion. Find out first why Jesus died on the Cross and what changed at the Cross. I know this is the part of the New Testament that you claim not to be trusted, but it's the truth directly from our Lord Jesus Christ as shared with the Apostle Paul. The truth will set you free.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

You sound terribly confused, and it wouldn't be nice for you to share your confusion with others. Jesus Christ went willingly to the Cross, and He revealed why to the Apostle Paul. The writings of the Apostle Paul will solve your confusion. Find out first why Jesus died on the Cross and what changed at the Cross. I know this is the part of the New Testament that you claim not to be trusted, but it's the truth directly from our Lord Jesus Christ as shared with the Apostle Paul. The truth will set you free.

My apologies, I'm just very distraught and yes confused right now. I am reading through Paul's epistles right now to try to understand more accurately what he is saying.

 

[food4thought]

It's just all so crazy, sometimes I think I just need to surrender my life to Him and Ill have peace.

This is true, but you must be sure to submit your life to HIM, not to some other influence upon your mind.

But as soon as I think that I think that He wants me to quit my job immediately and go be homeless and sometimes even think he wants me to never talk to my parents again.

It is highly improbable that God wants you to be homeless and not honor your father and mother.

If this is not what God wants me to do then it's hopeless because the persuasion is so powerful it's completely overwhelming and shuts out any other options completely.

This sounds to me like you are under spiritual attack. I highly recommend making this passage your own:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
(Ephesians 6:10-18 NKJV)


Four things stand out to me regarding this passage from what you have been saying.

1) You need to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

2) You need to appropriate the belt of truth: God's word is truth (John 17:17). Do not let the enemy deceive you by trying to tell you that large portions of the New Testament are not valid or true, for all Scripture is inspired by God (2Timothy 3:16-17).

3) You need to trust in the righteousness that has been imputed to you through your faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 4:23-24), and you need to "... put on the breastplate of righteousness". Put on Christ (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27). It is true that we need to obey God, but that has to do with your experience of God, not your salvation. Your salvation is based purely upon your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that faith will naturally lead to good works that confirm your salvation. Every good work we do, we do not to earn anything from God, but out of a thankful heart for what He has already freely given us in Christ.

4) You need to "...take the helmet of salvation". The faith that saves you is the same type of faith that you need to exercise in order to believe that you are saved. You believe that Jesus died for your sins on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day? Then place your faith fully in the truth that Paul tells us:

But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."
(Romans 10:8-11 NKJV)

Again, and I cannot stress this enough... YOU ARE UNDER SPIRITUAL ATTACK, and you need to get your spiritual armor on.

Hope this helps;
Michael

 

[nChrist]

Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Titus 3:4-7 KJV But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

[31gH9N.9.]

Thank you both of you for your help. You have for the time given me some encouragement.