How do I know if I am saved?

[missjeffrey]

I feel as though I have been a practicing Christian for almost a year now, but a person who has helped me along the journey told me that if I were saved, I would know the exact hour minute second of my salvation. For me this is a difficult concept, because I feel as though my life has changed considerably since I began reading/comprehending the Bible and various other Christian instructive books and I feel the Holy Spirit flowing through me all of the time. But I never "noted" the exact moment, through prayer or any action, that I have been "saved" Is the concept of salvation different for everyone, because even on this website you are given the option to type in the date of your salvation. I'm an introverted person so I can't imagine myself breaking down crying or speaking in tongues at the moment of salvation. Basically I am confused about this concept of time.

 

[Sketcher]

It doesn't matter when you get saved, as long as you did. The only reason I remember the first time I came to the Lord is that it was a week before my baptism, and I remember the date on the church bulletin of that day. I don't remember specifically when I gave my life to Jesus again, though that time was much more radical. I think I've got the month down.

It's a good thing that God isn't like a wife in this respect.

 

[MikeMcK]

I feel as though I have been a practicing Christian for almost a year now, but a person who has helped me along the journey told me that if I were saved, I would know the exact hour minute second of my salvation.

I don't believe that's true.

It would be nice for you to have that defining experience to look back on and maybe give you a little more confidence in your salvation, but the important thing isn't when you were saved, but that you're saved now.

If you've repented of your sins and accepted by faith that Jesus Christ died on the cross in order to pay the debt for your sins and to reconcile you to God, you're saved.

If you have confessed Jesus Christ with your mouth and believed in your heart that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, then you can rest assured that you are saved and there is not one thing that can ever cause you to be unsaved.

For me this is a difficult concept, because I feel as though my life has changed considerably since I began reading/comprehending the Bible and various other Christian instructive books and I feel the Holy Spirit flowing through me all of the time. But I never "noted" the exact moment, through prayer or any action, that I have been "saved" Is the concept of salvation different for everyone, because even on this website you are given the option to type in the date of your salvation.

When I was a small child, my family owned a vacation home in Gulf Shores, a small resort town on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Every Friday night like clockwork, as my father would work late, I would drift off to sleep waiting for him to come home, all my bags packed and waiting in the car.

Now, I was soundly asleep, so I didn't notice when my father would come in, pick me up in his arms, buckle me into the car and drive to Gulf Shores.

Because I was asleep the whole time, I couldn't tell you when we left. Can't describe the trip to you. Couldn't even tell you when we got there.

Now, because I don't know those details, does it mean that I was any less in Gulf Shores? No, of course not.

It simply means that I don't know the details, but I know the result. I had faith in my father to keep his promise to take me to the beach and he was faithful to his word.

Now, in the same way, you may not know the details of your salvation, but you do know that you've put your faith in your Heavenly Father and He has been faithful to His word.

Our salvation is never about a date on a calender and always about our faith in our Heavenly Father to keep His promises to us.

Got it?

Now that that's out of the way, can I give you a couple of principles to grow you not only in your faith, but in the confidence of your salvation?

KNOW – Your Identification With Christ
Before you can experience victory, you must have a knowledge of your identification with Christ. This means three things: (1) when Jesus died, you died with Him; (2) when Jesus was buried, you were buried with Him; (3) when Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
First, Jesus' death had your name on it. That's the reason the apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ." Jesus paid the debt we owed with His blood. Second, not only did we die with Jesus, but we were buried with Jesus. He carried our sins into the grave of God's forgetfulness. Thirdly, we have been raised with Jesus. Christians are not just nice people, they're new creatures. We have the same power that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead. We have that power in us. We are new people.

RECKON – Your Appropriation Of Christ
We must first know our identification with Christ, then we can make the appropriation of His life. The word reckon is a bookkeeping term that literally means to count on it. Reckoning is not just closing your eyes and pretending it to be true. It is appropriating, by faith, what you know to be true.
So many of us want to feel victorious, but let me tell you something. Our feelings are the shallowest part of our nature. Salvation is the deepest work of God. And, God doesn't do the deepest work in the shallowest part. We need to get our salvation out of the realm of fickle emotions and begin to reckon the Truth of God's Word. We must count on the life of Christ in us day-by-day and moment-by-moment. Are you with me so far?

YIELD – Your Emancipation Through Christ
A country preacher prayed, "Lord, help me to cooperate with you so You won't have to operate on me." We need to learn to cooperate with God. And we do this by yielding.
First, there must be the dethronement of sin. Romans 6:12 says, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body." You don't have to let sin rule in your body. You have kingdom authority power to be victorious. Take the Word of God and say, "I know my identification with Christ, I reckon my appropriation with Christ and so now I dethrone sin in my life. Satan, you are not going to ruin my life."
Second, there must be the enthronement of the Savior. Romans 6:13 says, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."
It's not enough to say, "Satan, be gone in the name of Jesus!" You must enthrone the Savior. You say, "Lord Jesus, right now I put you upon the throne of my life. I yield myself to you."
Now, here's the third thing, there must be the enslavement of the saint. Romans 6:18 describes Christians as "the servants of righteousness." To live the victorious life, you must become Jesus' slave. You may say, "Well, Pastor, I don't think I want to be a slave." Well, you're going to be a slave of Jesus or a slave of Satan (see Matthew 6:24).
Being a bondservant to the Lord Jesus Christ is a divine privilege that brings a new freedom (see Romans 6:18), a new faithfulness (see Romans 6:19) and a new fruitfulness (see Romans 6:21).

Starting Tomorrow...
Starting tomorrow morning, I want you to put these three things into practice - know, reckon, and yield. When you wake up, lift your hands to God and praise Him - that's acknowledging His Lordship in your life. Then turn your hands up and say, "Lord, not only did You give yourself for me, but You gave Yourself to me. I receive Your fullness." That's reckoning God's Word to be true. Finally, put your hands in the air, bow your head, and say, "Lord, I yield to you. Live your life through me. I'm completely yours."
You're going to find out when you walk in do these three things - know, reckon, and yield - that God will begin to live His life through you in ways that you never dreamed possible!

 

[snoochface]

My pastor seemed to have the same idea as your friend. Sometime in late March two years ago, I became saved. I do not know exactly when this happened, what date I mean, but I know it did.

Before I got baptised, I had some questions, so my husband and I went to have a meeting with our pastor. He asked if I was saved, and I said I thought I was. But he felt that I should know exactly when this happened, so there in his office he led me through the prayer again - not that he was saying I wasn't already saved, but I guess he just wanted to know for himself I was, and wanted me to have a specific date I can say is the day I was saved.

I thought it was all a little unnecessary, myself, but whatever. The date doesn't matter. All that matters is that you ARE saved, and it sounds to me from the way you describe things that you definitely are.

 

[missjeffrey]

Thanks everyone, that helps a lot and I thought I was doing something wrong, even though I knew I accepted Jesus as my savior. It's good to hear other people's perspective on such matters.

 

[ghs1994]

I personally know when I prayed for Jesus to save me, knowing that my sins would condemn me to hell and that I needed Him to save me. I do believe in that instant I was saved. If you believe, the change inside was instant.

Now, it's not the prayer that saves, but Jesus. I don't want you to think that it has everything to do with just "saying a prayer". You must believe that He is and that He can. Romans road can show you the way, but it can't make you believe.

 

[CherieInTx]

Ihjave gone through this same very thing just yesterday. I "thought"Owas saved in 99 and was Baptized. I then afterwards often felt the need to keep saying the sinners prayer. I felt like I wasn't saved and doubted it. Why, I guess I didn't FULLY get it. I didn't do it with my heart, I did what I thought "needed"to be done!

Well, just recently , like a month or so ago, I was in Church and felt the need to go to alter. I told my pastor through MANY tears that I was living my life right I needed to so something different ...maybe re-dedicate my life. I didn't know I just knew I wasn't right!

Well, I was speaking to him ast night about my son and we realized that it was that day that I went down there that I was saved! It hit us both like a ton of bricks. We both had chills and wee so excited! I KNOW that was when I was saved. I don't know the date, I just know when it happened and KNOW it was for real! I have been moving closer to God since that day and I wasn't at all before then. I still have a ways to go as we all do.

My point I guess is this.

1. You are not alone
2. Dates don't matter. The fact that YOU know it what matters.
3. It is between you and God, not you and a calendar! KWIM??

Hope I helped! I'm new at this too, and never thought I was new...I was raised in Church, it just never made since!

Good Luck and GOd Bless!

 

[JPPT1974]

Just repent of your sins
Ask for your forgiveness
And accept Christ as Savior & Lord
Knowing that He died and arose again from the dead
On that lonely cross of Calvary
Sitting next to God in heaven at the right-hand throne.

 

[conflicted]

Greetings all.
This thread is very close to my heart. I began attending church almost a month ago after my uncle "twisted my arm". It was meant to be...because I feel now as if I truly have something to live for! I have been praying and reading the bible since then...but feel false in doing so, like I'm a hypocrite .
I truly want to change my life and become closer to God. I DO BELIEVE, but feel like I'm just saying it and not really believing it. Most of you talk about how when you were saved it was an instantaneous transformation. I would love for that to happen with me, as I have seen first hand how happy christians are...because God is working through them.
If there is anyone with advice for me I would REALLY appreciate it!I am tired of feeling empty and know that when God's spirit fills me I will be living the life I am meant to live.

God bless you all!

 

[Deena]

Like others, I can only tell you that last year I gave my life to Christ. I know it was in the spring but can't even tell you the month. In fact, I asked forgiveness several times because I still didn't feel quite "at peace" yet. I had tried several times to set up a baptism but due to schedule conflicts and family crises it wasn't until May of this year that I was baptised. That is when I felt my circle was completed. It was cloudy, 54 degrees and the creek water was like ice.......IT WAS GLORIOUS!!! I am so new at being a christian, but, I feel so good inside and I talk to God several times a day, whether it is just in my head or out loud. He is there for me and I am here to be used by Him as he sees fit.
I think that all of us have different feelings about being christians but one thing is for sure as far as I am concerned.....He knows I am his and the date on the calendar is a mute point. If you know He is in your heart taht is all that matters and no one can take that away from you.

 

[snoochface]

Greetings all.
This thread is very close to my heart. I began attending church almost a month ago after my uncle "twisted my arm". It was meant to be...because I feel now as if I truly have something to live for! I have been praying and reading the bible since then...but feel false in doing so, like I'm a hypocrite .
I truly want to change my life and become closer to God. I DO BELIEVE, but feel like I'm just saying it and not really believing it. Most of you talk about how when you were saved it was an instantaneous transformation. I would love for that to happen with me, as I have seen first hand how happy christians are...because God is working through them.
If there is anyone with advice for me I would REALLY appreciate it!I am tired of feeling empty and know that when God's spirit fills me I will be living the life I am meant to live.

God bless you all!

Well, keep in mind one thing - we're all hypocrites, really. We all know what we believe, we all profess our allegience to God and to Jesus... and we all still sin. The keys are if you want to turn away from sin, try not to sin (even though you still fail at times), and ask for forgiveness for your sins when you do fail. If you can say yes to those questions, you are on the right track.

Reading your Bible and praying puts you on the right track anyway. Being saved isn't a feeling. I struggled with that myself because I tend to be a fairly reserved person in general but I wasn't feeling overwhelmed with this all-encompassing joy or emotional reaction that I've heard so many other Christians talk about.

But that's not what it's about. You don't have to experience those feelings to be saved. You have you love God, believe in Jesus, accept the sacrifice of his death for the forgiveness of (y)our sins, and strive to form a relationship with him through listening to him (reading his word), talking to him (in prayer - where you can also listen), and doing his work.

Be encouraged. You'll feel the assurance of your salvation as soon as you start to see God working in your life. There is no instantaneous transformation. God works on us until the very last day.

[bible]Philippians 1:6[/bible]

 

[1corinthian13]

only God knows if you are saved. we are not to judge whether u are saved or not. i think ur friend... was joking?
we dun even know if all the ppl who are in orthodox or catholic or protestants will be saved u know? God knows

as for me.. im not even clear when i got saved. i just know i love Christ with all of ma heart.

 

[MikeMcK]

only God knows if you are saved. we are not to judge whether u are saved or not. i think ur friend... was joking?
we dun even know if all the ppl who are in orthodox or catholic or protestants will be saved u know? God knows

as for me.. im not even clear when i got saved. i just know i love Christ with all of ma heart.

Did you know that the Bible tells us that we can be sure of our salvation and confident that we are saved?

It's true. 1 John 5:13 says,

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

 

[1corinthian13]

Did you know that the Bible tells us that we can be sure of our salvation and confident that we are saved?

It's true. 1 John 5:13 says,

ok you are right. then wuz believe? as far as i know the many russian orthodox believe they are saved but their lives doesnt show they are christian. some even believe that jesus is the son of God but they have no idea what sin is. its kinda hard to say when u are in russia and i just dont think we have the right to say if someone else is saved or not. I would BELIEVE to my belief.. that this girl is saved.. and to her belief she may believe she is saved herself but on the Judgement day.. God is the judge of all.

 

[heymikey80]

ok you are right. then wuz believe? as far as i know the many russian orthodox believe they are saved but their lives doesnt show they are christian. some even believe that jesus is the son of God but they have no idea what sin is. its kinda hard to say when u are in russia and i just dont think we have the right to say if someone else is saved or not. I would BELIEVE to my belief.. that this girl is saved.. and to her belief she may believe she is saved herself but on the Judgement day.. God is the judge of all.

Yep, there's a difference here. You can definitely put your trust in something that doesn't save, and think you're saved but be wrong. The Apostles, particularly here in 1 John, plead with all to verify Whom they believe in, be it Christ or the world or our hearts or something else.

John is also saying something more: that you can realize that you're saved by Someone Who does save. So don't get tripped up on what John is saying -- many people do -- he is sometimes talking about how true faith works out in practice; he's sometimes talking about how you can (fallibly but properly) assess other people's faith from your own position, not as their judge but as one of the Judge's kids; he's sometimes talking about how you can gain greater awareness of your own salvation ("know you know Him", "know you are saved")

You're right that we make judgement calls -- assessments -- about other people -- and 1 John is actually saying something about that, too (in fact, he's commenting on how that can be done, rightly though fallibly). They're not judging people like God judges, they protect you from wolves in the flock, and help you identify Christ's shepherds.

 

[flyingsum0]

Some great testimonials here Thanks All!

 

[DawnTillery]

Aslong as you accepted Christ into your heart, confessed he lived, died, and rose again , repented of your sins you are saved. Not sure what your friend means unless you did not do this?
I know when I was saved - this is different for a lot of people. A friend told me of her experience and it was so totally different from mine and it was different for my husband.

I dont think anyone here can actually say they feel saved every single day of their life. There are some days, I have to pray and read my bible because I feel so far away --
I found 1,2 and 3rd John very comforting when I feel that way.

 

[DawnTillery]

Aslong as you accepted Christ into your heart, confessed he lived, died, and rose again , repented of your sins you are saved. Not sure what your friend means unless you did not do this?
I know when I was saved - this is different for a lot of people. A friend told me of her experience and it was so totally different from mine and it was different for my husband.

I dont think anyone here can actually say they feel saved every single day of their life. There are some days, I have to pray and read my bible because I feel so far away --
I found 1,2 and 3rd John very comforting when I feel that way.

Wanted to restate what i said.. There are some days, I have to pray and read my bible more then the day before because I feel so far away --
I found 1,2 and 3rd John very comforting when I feel that way.

 

[Dondi]

The important thing, for what ever method that brought you to Jesus for salvation, is your relationship with God. If you relationship with God is strong, you won't have many doubts.

I believe that Salvation is a stepping stone. God didn't save you just so you can go to heaven, He saved you to comform you into the image of Christ and that you will learn to love God and love you neighbor as yourself.

Put it this way. Suppose your parents gave you a brand new car. You are so happy and thankful to your parents for giving you such a wonderful gift. But what are you going to do with it? Are you just going to park it in the garage and cover it up with a cloth, never driving it? Of course not, you are going to want to drive it around and show all your friends. Your want to experience what it's like to drive your vehicle.

Shouldn't your salvation be the same way? Go experience the God of your salvation. Go and tell your friends the goodness of God. Show them how God is working in your life. God wants to take you places you've never been. Let Him be salvation not just for the forgiveness of your sins, but for the restoration of your life. He is a Father to His children who have been born-again into His family. And like a father, he so much wants to know you and be a friend to you. And He wants you to know Him through the experiences of your life in Him.

 

[OnlyThruHim617]

I have wondered the same things myself. I don't remember the exact time, or even the exact day. Honestly, I don't remember the month. I think it was November, but I wouldn't bet on it. I don't think that knowing the exact period in time really matters all that much. I think the devil has made me forget as to try and convince me that I did not have a true conversion, but that is just something I personally struggle with. Point being, I don't think time matters all that matters is that you DID accept Christ.