How Do I Know I Am Saved?

I was saved at an early age. I was 7 when I began my journey with Christ. I recall that morning in October, 1979, well. Gary Misner asked me to take the “Nestea Plunge” to demonstrate to kids in children’s church what faith is and how we must absolutely trust Christ. No works, no religious experience, nothing of our imagination, we must trust salvation as Christ offers salvation in Him and Him alone. We must trust that He will take our sins from us and help us to begin a life walking away from sin instead of embracing and pursuing sin. For this 7 year old that was the day I heard Christ saying I want to be your savior and I said I want you to be my savior.

However, still having a sin nature I fell into some serious sin growing up. I became so desensitized to God’s voice that I almost ceased to hear His voice. Overtime through His leading I landed in Germany. This time of my life brought many questions, including the question of salvation. Was I saved? During this time of struggle my pastor taught us some of the indicators of salvation. It was through these indicators that I gained assurance of my salvation at the age of 7. Perhaps some of you are dealing with questions of doubt. I hope one of these indicators will help you resolve the issue. There is no number to number 5 in this list. Anyone may be present or absent, to the unlearned heart, mind, and eye, and not one is a definitive yes or no determination of salvation. In the end we know that our heart will judge us wrongly but there is one greater than our heart who is the true and only qualified judge.

The first indicator I will list is the fact that a developing Christian will begin to practice obedience.
1Jo 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1Jo 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1Jo 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

So now the question is your life characterized by active obedience to God? Even in the years of shadowy doubt there was always this draw and desire to choose the path that did not lead down sin. At times this was easier and times harder depending upon the stronghold of sin that was being battled. If I was more given to certain sin then often I lost that battle. If I was not so inclined toward a sin then victory was achieved (for the most part). However, this is the comfort of assurance, there was a battle. You need to worry when there is no battle or remorseful guilt that follows.

The second indicator I will list is that the developing Christian begins to love fellow Christians.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
For me this was not an easy task. I had to be taught how to love others. Love does not come natural to everyone. Some of us have reasons, of our mind, why we do not love people. Fear of being hurt and rejected was my reason. However, as time passed and as I prayed I began to tolerate people, and then to like people, then love people in a self-centered manner, and now finally I am beginning to love even those who may not love, like, or tolerate me. This is an indicator that is also a developed indicator. However, I trust that the true believer will find themselves in the most infant stage wanting and desiring to trust people even if they are not ready to make that outward movement.

Another indicator of salvation is that a person begins to hear and follow Christ’s voice. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” This is to say that as we approach former sinful lusts something kicks in and says, “Wrong.” This is the reason for the previously discussed battle. Perhaps you like Samuel did not realize that this was the voice of Christ through the Holy Spirit guiding you. Learn to still yourself and become sensitive to hearing that voice and then learn to trust and follow that voice to a joyous life.

One last indicator of many that could be named and analyzed is the ability to overcome the world’s philosophies.
1Jo 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Here it is simply stated that a true believer will become victorious over the world’s ideas. This is best seen in the internal struggle between the flesh and the spirit. We begin to hear truths from God’s Word and wonder if it is true. Before Christ it could be dismissed and ignored but now for some reason you cannot get it out of your head. This internal struggle is an indication of the Holy Spirit’s presence. Couple this with the idea that at times these truths pop back into your head proving that Satan has lost his power to snatch away that which is planted.

Finally, understand that a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ you will develop as your mind is renewed and your actions are transformed. Also take peace in knowing that those who have repented and trusted Christ and are not achieving as much as someone else need not worry. Ephesians states that He who began this good work within you (saved you) is also the one who completes that work.

So are you saved? I am by God’s grace and faith in Christ.