Doubting salvation

Lik3 · Jul 14, 2014

I was wondering this. I have OCD and now I wonder if Christians in general have doubts about their salvation. Could this tie in to working out our salvation with fear and trembling? What did Paul mean by that? To me a true believer is one who truly and sincerely believe on Jesus for salvation in faith yet are justified by their works according to James. There are other things that mark a true Christian. Is it normal for a true believer to have doubts about being saved, or is it for those who say a prayer and don't always live for the Lord?

bill5 · Aug 2, 2014

Of course. Anyone who tells you they never have doubts is either a liar or at best deluding themselves. It's part of being human.

PS sorry about your OCD. I've seen first hand how debilitating that can be. Best to you.

FireDragon76 · Aug 2, 2014

I have OCD too, so I know what that's like. Religion tries to give us some reassurance about things, but I also think a good spiritual life is about learning to deal with ambiguity, learning to deal with God in his apparent absence or silence. To be honest, none of us knows, short of direct divine revelation, where we are going after we die. All we as Christians have is hope. And I don't think that's unimportant, but there are limitations here to what that means in terms of our epistemology. That's one reason I am increasingly becoming interested in things like Quietism and Mysticism. In addition, I think the peddling of unwarranted assurances and presumption is a real problem in religious life.

Autumnleaf · Aug 2, 2014

Yes, its normal and common. It usually affects people who think a whole lot. People who spend lots of time helping others tend not to doubt their salvation as much. I don't know why that is.

Sammy-San · Aug 3, 2014

I have doubts about my salvation too.

The past year or two, I totally ignored God because I cared for my sins more than God. It's not even sins-its idols in my life that I view as more important than God-listening to music, reading about science, etc. But idols arent the big issue here-sin is.

I was prayed over twice at church to have God presence in my life, but even after those two times, I backslid back into sin, and I feel even worse now than I did before. I read somewhere that if you are delivered and fall back into sin, demons come back 7 times stronger. I am embarrassed and afraid to ask for deliverance, but I am wondering this. Why wont God deliver me himself, if I ask him to come back into my life? What should I do now? Do I need deliverance for salvation?

What also worries me even more is this-was I ever truly saved? I remember praying the salvation prayer a few times, but I'm not sure if I prayed it genuinely or not. I'm not sure if I should just repent of my sins, or should I pray the prayer of salvation again? Even if God comes back into my life, what should I do to avoid backsliding into sin again?

Please pray for me. I need advice on this issue.

BL2KTN · Aug 3, 2014

Do you doubt you have an arm? Do you doubt you have an eye? If the soul were truly anything material, anything detectable, anything at all, then you wouldn't have to wonder if it had been re-born. You only doubt that which cannot be found in the first place.

Strathos · Aug 3, 2014

FireDragon76 said:
I have OCD too, so I know what that's like. Religion tries to give us some reassurance about things, but I also think a good spiritual life is about learning to deal with ambiguity, learning to deal with God in his apparent absence or silence. To be honest, none of us knows, short of direct divine revelation, where we are going after we die. All we as Christians have is hope. And I don't think that's unimportant, but there are limitations here to what that means in terms of our epistemology. That's one reason I am increasingly becoming interested in things like Quietism and Mysticism. In addition, I think the peddling of unwarranted assurances and presumption is a real problem in religious life.

Very true

Mediaeval · Aug 3, 2014

God's love and forgiveness are unconditional. These we are fully warranted in being sure of at all times. Otherwise, God would not have commanded us to "rejoice in the Lord always."

appleofhiseye · Aug 3, 2014

yes, I have doubts.
When I do, meditating on these verses helps me.
Philippians 1:5,6
Romans 8:37,38
Jude 1:24
Hebrews 7:25
I thank Jesus that he is interceding for me and completing my faith.
I rest on His ability to save (not mine).
There's plenty other scriptures, search some out that work for you.

OldWiseGuy · Aug 3, 2014

Superhero Sam said:
I have doubts about my salvation too.

The past year or two, I totally ignored God because I cared for my sins more than God. It's not even sins-its idols in my life that I view as more important than God-listening to music, reading about science, etc. But idols arent the big issue here-sin is.

I was prayed over twice at church to have God presence in my life, but even after those two times, I backslid back into sin, and I feel even worse now than I did before. I read somewhere that if you are delivered and fall back into sin, demons come back 7 times stronger. I am embarrassed and afraid to ask for deliverance, but I am wondering this. Why wont God deliver me himself, if I ask him to come back into my life? What should I do now? Do I need deliverance for salvation?

What also worries me even more is this-was I ever truly saved? I remember praying the salvation prayer a few times, but I'm not sure if I prayed it genuinely or not. I'm not sure if I should just repent of my sins, or should I pray the prayer of salvation again? Even if God comes back into my life, what should I do to avoid backsliding into sin again?

Please pray for me. I need advice on this issue.

You haven't given up, neither have you committed the 'unpardonable sin'.

Hebrews 6:

4 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

You have probably not reached this level of spiritual maturity, and responsibility.

God is being patient with you, so be patient with yourself. Don't demand of yourself repentance or righteousness that you aren't yet prepared for. The Spirit of God will ease you out of the quicksand of sin gradually, so you won't be torn apart, spiritually speaking.

Recall that God sometimes delivers the flesh to the devil for destruction, so that the spirit might be saved.

Regarding doubts, this old prayer;

"God, I believe, please help my unbelief."

DerelictJunction · Aug 4, 2014

Mediaeval said:
God's love and forgiveness are unconditional. These we are fully warranted in being sure of at all times. Otherwise, God would not have commanded us to "rejoice in the Lord always."

Can you be "sure" of your salvation, yet not actually be saved?

Mediaeval · Aug 4, 2014

DerelictJunction said:
Can you be "sure" of your salvation, yet not actually be saved?

I suppose it would depend on what a person means by the term "salvation."

FireDragon76 · Aug 4, 2014

Lik3 said:
To me a true believer is one who truly and sincerely believe on Jesus for salvation in faith yet are justified by their works according to James. There are other things that mark a true Christian. Is it normal for a true believer to have doubts about being saved, or is it for those who say a prayer and don't always live for the Lord?

Maybe it bugs you because of your theology? Perhaps you think salvation is something you choose to do, rather than something God does to you?

I go to liturgical Protestant churches. When I receive the Eucharist, eating the body and blood of Christ, I know I have obtained salvation. It doesn't get rid of every doubt but I have some assurances of God's favor towards me. Nor is it a work I do, it's something God does for me. The Eucharist or Lord's Supper is an important part of what it means to be a Christian to me, to the point I'd find it difficult to believe without it.

Sammy-San · Aug 4, 2014

OldWiseGuy said:
You haven't given up, neither have you committed the 'unpardonable sin'.

Hebrews 6:

4 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

You have probably not reached this level of spiritual maturity, and responsibility.

God is being patient with you, so be patient with yourself. Don't demand of yourself repentance or righteousness that you aren't yet prepared for. The Spirit of God will ease you out of the quicksand of sin gradually, so you won't be torn apart, spiritually speaking.

Recall that God sometimes delivers the flesh to the devil for destruction, so that the spirit might be saved.

Regarding doubts, this old prayer;

"God, I believe, please help my unbelief."

How do you know I probably havent reached that level of spiritual maturity and responsibility? How could anybody tell if theyve reached that level?

Lollerskates · Aug 4, 2014

Lik3 said:
I was wondering this. I have OCD and now I wonder if Christians in general have doubts about their salvation. Could this tie in to working out our salvation with fear and trembling? What did Paul mean by that? To me a true believer is one who truly and sincerely believe on Jesus for salvation in faith yet are justified by their works according to James. There are other things that mark a true Christian. Is it normal for a true believer to have doubts about being saved, or is it for those who say a prayer and don't always live for the Lord?

I have OCT also. It can be hard, but doubting one's salvation is a sign you are under attack (I know it well,) and it may be the reason why other Christians say it is a "good sign" when you are having doubts about salvation. The doubt alone isn't necessarily, but the end enemy won't waste energy trying to convince someone who he has that their salvation is 8th trouble. It would be overkill; why even give the person that thought that they could be saved at all, let alone salvation exists?

Doubts about salvation are a spiritual trial, and double edged. On one hand, you can be all but sure you are some thing to God because His enemies are trying to persuade you you aren't. On the other hand, you may need to work spiritually.

Cearbhall · Aug 10, 2014

Lik3 said:
I was wondering this. I have OCD and now I wonder if Christians in general have doubts about their salvation. Could this tie in to working out our salvation with fear and trembling? What did Paul mean by that? To me a true believer is one who truly and sincerely believe on Jesus for salvation in faith yet are justified by their works according to James.

My interpretation of Christianity is that you'll end up where you belong. If you want salvation and your worst fear is being separated from God forever, then you ultimately belong in Heaven.

knowimsaved · Jul 17, 2018

Lik3 said:
I was wondering this. I have OCD and now I wonder if Christians in general have doubts about their salvation. Could this tie in to working out our salvation with fear and trembling? What did Paul mean by that? To me a true believer is one who truly and sincerely believe on Jesus for salvation in faith yet are justified by their works according to James. There are other things that mark a true Christian. Is it normal for a true believer to have doubts about being saved, or is it for those who say a prayer and don't always live for the Lord?

I highly recommend you read the book Knowing I’m Saved:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1983249580

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