Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
(John 10:22-30)
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
How do I know I’m saved?
That whispered question can fill Christians with doubt and uncertainty. Despite knowing who Jesus is and what he has done through his perfect life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection, the question remains. Yes, but how do I really know?
Some of that doubt and uncertainty comes from looking at ourselves. Introspectively, we know who we are. We know the things we’ve done. Our consciences and the natural knowledge of God’s law in all of our hearts tell us that. More than that, God’s written law reveals what we deserve for being who we are—sinful people—and doing what we’ve done—awful, sinful things in thought, word, and deed.
Some of that doubt and uncertainty comes from looking at God without listening to everything he says about himself in his Word. We know God is righteous and holy. He cannot stand sin, and sinful people cannot hope to stand in his presence and live.
The devil fans those doubts and uncertainties into flame until they create a raging, panic-filled inferno of wondering whether we really are saved. He points to what we’ve done and failed to do and whispers that God can’t possibly love us anymore. That God can’t possibly want anything to do with us.
We sometimes spend a lot of time listening to those bald-faced, blatant lies. And they are lies, dear Christian. The devil never tells the truth—he can’t. All he can do is whisper lies and sow seeds of doubt and uncertainty in our hearts.
However, God never lies—according to his nature, he can’t. He promises in his Word that he cannot lie. He always tells the truth! And we hear his words of truth in Scripture. There he says over and over again, “I love you.”
How do you and I know we’re really saved?
Lord, help us listen to your voice! Help us focus solely on the promises you make in your Word. You say that we are yours. You have given us eternal life. We are in your hands. Continue pointing us to our Savior Jesus and what he has done for us.
Whether you’ve just become a Christian or have known the Lord for years, odds are you’ve wondered, “How do I know that I’m actually saved? I know what Jesus did for me, but do I really know it from the depths of my heart? How much belief is enough?” I Know That I Know tackles these common questions about faith with God’s Word.
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe for free devotional content every week!
Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
Leave a Reply