Expert: Dr. Tim Gladu - 7/6/2010

Question
What would you say to someone who is questioning and doubting whether or not they are truly saved? About 6 months ago I prayed for Jesus to be my savior.  I no longer live the sinful live I used to live, and I want to live to please God. I know that Jesus is my only hope for eternal life.  However, lately I've been feeling paranoid that maybe I don't believe enough or trust him enough.  I heard someone talking about head knowledge vs. heart knowledge, and it really confused me and has me worried that maybe I just believe in Jesus with head knowledge since I was raised in church and even attended a Christian school. I feel so scared that if I died right now I would go to hell because of this lack of assurance and certainty about my salvation.  I really don't understand a difference between head and heart knowledge.  I know Jesus is the son of God and our savior just as I know my name is Amanda, but some people I've talked to say that it isn't enough.  What if I just believe "about" him instead of believing "in" him. They use James 2:19 to support the head vs. heart knowledge idea. I've talked to my pastor and student minister (I'm in college) and they both say that we only tend to doubt that which we believe and that unsaved people don't doubt because there is nothing to doubt.  My student minister even commented on how different I seem now.  I really want to be saved, but I don't want false assurance if I am not.  I'm really confused, and I know this letter is all jumbled up.  I'm sorry about that.  I can't get my thoughts straight.

Answer
Amanda,

I have had many a saved Christian ask this same question. We as Christian some times doubt that we are saved. I think that most people just think it is just to easy. We ask Christ to be out Lord and savior and He answers this prayer. There seems like there should be more. Then you have to consider what this salvation truly is and what it means. God gave us the GIFT of salvation and we did not deserve it in any way. We deserved to die for our sin as Christ did. Now God gave the gift and what we have to do is to accept it and live our life as disciples of Christ and try to do what He did. He loved God with all his heart and loved his neighbor. Now think in your life how many gifts you have received. Did you do anything to earn those gifts well I would have to say no you did not. So accept the gift you have been given by God and do what you can to live your life as Christ would want you to live.