Understanding one’s salvation is a fundamental aspect of faith for believers. It’s a topic that has sparked theological discussions and personal reflections for centuries. In this article, we want to look into the key indicators outlined in the Bible that signify one’s salvation and offer insights into how individuals can assess their own salvation.
1. Faith Over Feelings:
The journey of salvation begins with faith, not fleeting emotions. Not a feeling. It’s about anchoring belief in the promises of God and trusting in His work not our works. While feelings of assurance may come and go, true belief remains steadfast in the face of doubt.
2. Knowing When You Were Saved:
A pivotal moment in the journey of salvation is the conscious decision to call upon Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This moment of calling upon the name of the Lord, as emphasized in Romans 10:13, marks the beginning of one’s spiritual birth. If you can’t remember a time and place or if you were not sure if you understood at the time. It’s ok to confirm your salvation. Use today as the day I called on God to save me.
3. Knowing How You Are Saved:
Understanding the Gospel message of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is essential, to being Saved as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and Romans 10:9.
4. Evidence of Salvation:
After getting SAVED, there are tangible signs that manifest in the believer’s life. We call them fruit. These fruits include:
- A deepened relationship with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13).
- A confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God (1 John 4:15).
- A genuine love for fellow believers and a desire to serve others (1 John 4:7).
- A hunger for God’s Word and a willingness to heed its teachings (1 John 4:6).
- A newfound peace and freedom from fear, especially fear of death and judgment (1 John 4:17-18).
While not every believer may exhibit all these signs immediately, they serve as evidence of the transformative work of salvation in one’s life. Jesus said ye shall know them by there fruit. We don’t expect a seed to bear fruit we expect a tree to bear fruit.
4. The Growth of Salvation:
Salvation is a one-time event but after comes a lifelong journey of growth and maturity in faith. Just as a seed grows into a mature plant, so too does our spiritual life develop within the believer. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that God faithfully continues the work He has started in us until the day of Jesus Christ.
5. Divine Discipline:
As children of God, we are subject to His loving discipline. Hebrews 12:5-8 highlights that God corrects and guides those whom He loves. This chastisement serves to refine and mold us into the image of Christ, steering us away from paths of disobedience. It also confirms in us that we are a child of God so in some way we take comfort in correction.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, knowing that you are saved involves a combination of faith, understanding of God’s Word, and evidence of work of the Spirit in our lives. By anchoring your belief in the promises of God, understanding the Gospel message, and observing the fruits of salvation in your life, you can confidently affirm your status as a child of God. However it’s important to note that though we may have doubts of our salvation, the moment we believe in Jesus, God has no doubt that we are a child of his.