I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved

[David2019]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

 

[CallofChrist]

1 John 5:13


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.


We know because the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we are in Christ. Pray that God gives you his assurance, which scripture says we can have.

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation | Reformed Theology at A Puritan's Mind

 

[theaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

hello david i just wanted to say that frst of all God led me to you i didn't want to click on the message because ( given the fact that i have religious ocd) i thought that satan was planning a temptation on me but later i felt God tell me to click here. I got first saved when it was december 2020 but like you i didn't know. i always doubted my salvation i went to websites "how to know if im saved" "how to know if i am a fan or follower of Jesus" "how to stop sinning" " how to know if im born again" and so on everytime i wanted to live like im saved there is a voice in my head that said "maybe you really are not saved" "maybe you re going to hell" "maybe you re a fan and not a true christian" you sin so you are lukwarm" .... so i entered depression because i was scared of hell and entered ocd also because i was so scared to be dead for eternity in fire and i wasn't assured of my salvation. but i just wanted you to know that one day Jesus came through and told me that it was all the devil that didn't want me to enjoy my life and enjoy the precious Holy Spirit. and i kid you not you will know one day when you get to heaven that it was the devil. Jesus wants you to repent and to follow Him. if you have doubts every second like i had that means two things: either that the devil is playing tricks to fool you so like me you end up being suicidal or having ocd and depression and ruining my family and my friend's relationships or thatt you are indeed not saved. if you were indeed not saved i don't think that Jesus wouldbhave led me to this post but because i experienced this He wished i would help you. now there will be a voice "imagine if its a trick from satan that wants to tell you ure saved when not" but please please listen. Jesus loves you so much and wants nobody in hell. He is not a God of anger a God that wants uou to burn and that thinks the worst of you i bet there are voices saying " you sinned again you re not saved " "do you really think you re going to heaven" and ...but trust me you are saved and stop worrying he loves you so much and wants to calm you like He did to me when someone told me ghat I was saved ( through a message) i hope that the Holy Spirit spoke to you please feel free to talk but don't let the devil win on Jesus. He wants to set you free and to give you peace and love so don't sadden Him living all ur life doubting your salvation and thinking avout sin instead of thinking about love. it really does break His heart. Please if u need ahything im trying to be led by the Spirit. Oh and when you get convicted about a sin you will maybe hear a voice saying "that's not the Holy Spirit i do not have it " "i never felt the Holy Dpirit on me" but when you are convicted to repent and stop sinning then you know you re saved .

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Salvation is based on faith, not feelings.

Millions have suffered and died for the name of Jesus that from the outward look would seemingly not be very pleasant. Yet they were saved. If you believe that Jesus' death on the cross is the only way for you to enter heaven and commit your life to Him, then you will be saved. Doesn't matter how you feel about that, it's a promise of God who cannot lie.

When you get those feelings of uneasiness concerning your salvation just quote John 3:16 or John 5:24, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

 

[Tolworth John]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again.

May I ask how do you know that you are a Christian?

What is it thatmakes you a Christian?

Is it that you live in the west, or go to church or is it what you believe and how you try to live?

Being a Christian is not about how you feel, anymore than being a cityzen of the netherlands is about feeling.

Have you ever read John 6: 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”


It is Jesus you will raise you up and present you to God the Father.
You do not need feelings that you are saved, you just need to trust in Jesus.

May I suggest that when you think or feel you are not saved that rather than start searching the internet or the bible, that you praise and thank God for Jesus and the salvation he has given you.


May I also suggest you check out the web site:-
25 tips for successfully treating your OCD.

Look at point 4 dealing with intrusive thorghts.

 

[Sparagmos]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

The answer is in treatment for your OCD, not in trying to satisfy OCD’s irrational demands. Clearly reading scripture and taking to people about whether or not you are saved isn’t working, despite, I’m sure, being told in all kinds of ways that you are, in fact, saved. This is a medical issue.

 

[friend of]

Those who come to Jesus He will in no wise cast out.

You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

It's a good thing that you are diligent to study and apply the word of God. Now it's time for you to rest in God's scriptural promises. Take God at His word, you are a Christian and you are saved. Learn to lean on His promises for to do otherwise is to make God out to be a liar.

 

[angelsaroundme]

I think even the most attractive people have some part of their body they are negative about. It's probably impossible to be 100% happy with your appearance.

What helps people be well-adjusted is to avoid fixating on their insecurities. Faith is a lot like that. Everyone has some kind of doubts. The doubts decrease by trusting in God, not by trusting in our feelings. An attractive person can think they are unbearably ugly because their feelings, exacerbated by picking apart their own appearance, tells them so.

 

[BibleBeliever1611]

Being saved is only about what you believe. If you examine your heart, just what exactly do you believe in? If you have Jesus in your heart you are saved for sure. We get assurance of salvation by looking unto Jesus by faith.

 

[Mari17]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

Hello, David2019. Thank you for sharing your struggle. This is actually a VERY common obsession among Christians with OCD, so you're definitely not alone! Have you gotten professional help for your OCD/scrupulosity, or do you have any support to help you deal with this? I can recommend some good resources if you'd like.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

A good start is to know that the cross is available to you. The bible says:

Heb 9:27-28 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.

This shows as a person lives one life, so Jesus was offered once for sin. Our whole lifetime of sins is covered by Jesus's sacrifice.

Eze 33:11 Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'

God has made it possible for us to repent at any point in our life journey, all we need to do is accept the forgiveness offered by the cross.

 

[David2019]

Being saved is only about what you believe. If you examine your heart, just what exactly do you believe in? If you have Jesus in your heart you are saved for sure. We get assurance of salvation by looking unto Jesus by faith.

Thank you very much. Yes, you are absolutely right. The righteous shall live by faith, not by what he feels. But I'm just very anxious about the worst case scenario, being self-deceived. I do believe 100% that Jesus is who He says He is and that He's done what He says He's done despite what I feel.

 

[Blaise N]

I cannot get the assurance that I'm saved. At least not longer for a few days at a time before feeling completely lost again. I think that I have spent hundreds (thousands maybe?) of hours researching the internet, the bible, theology books to look for the assurance that I'm indeed born again. And it does help until I find something that contradicts the view I had of myself. And it's so annoying because there is no feeling or person or prayer or bible verse that can give me full assurance. There is always the anxiety that I might be self deceived. And I can also not prove that this might be the truth or not, because there is always something that confirms the fear. What can I do to break free from this mental prison? It is so exhausting.

Hi buddy,listen carefully.I too have been in your shoes almost innumerable times.I’m a Christian With OCD,I know how hurtful and scary the situation you’re in is.And I’m here to offer you advice friends and fellow siblings in Christ have offered me.A user who I think of as a dearest friend,named Tolworth John,told me that only Christians worry about salvation.I advise you 2 things,and I know that doubts will arise and you’ll wonder about certainty,but observe of your life bears fruit!,also believe in the one God has sent.Believe in Jesus !

 

[Blaise N]

Hi buddy,listen carefully.I too have been in your shoes almost innumerable times.Im a Christian With OCD,I know how hurtful and scary the situation you’re in is.And I’m here to offer you advice friends and fellow siblings in Christ have offered me.A user who I think of as a dearest friend,named Tolworth John,told me that only Christians worry about salvation.I advise you 2 things,and I know that doubts will arise and you’ll wonder about certainty,but observe of your life bears fruit!,also believe in the one God has sent.Believe in Jesus !