Expert: John of AllFaith - 1/21/2007

Question
I've recently been questioning my salvation. I'm not sure. There are things that make me believe that I am but, sometimes, I just don't know. I feel so stupid because it should be something that I know. I know the verse in Romans "that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and Believe in  thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved". I believe this. I feel like sometimes Satan is trying to make me believe I am not saved so that I will like God doesn't love me. Any thoughts on my situation?

Answer
Hi Holly,

We all feel uncertain at times because, let's face it, NONE of us deserve God's grace! This is partly why this doctrine of eternal security is so very important. If we were responsible to keep our salvation we could never do it! '...if anyone says they have no sin they are a liar and the truth is not in them'.... so many verses like this, and common experience, tells us that we simply can not live perfect lives; and yet the Bible is clear that God will not allow imperfection into His sight. So.... what to do?

Eternal Security!

When a person accepts Jesus, in terms of the Romans verse you cited, that person is adopted into the family of God. When God considers such a person He sees not their sins, but Jesus' salvation. Hence, God does not allow sin into His holy presence, but He does allow those people whose sins have been washed away by divine Grace.

This is why this doctrine is so very important! When we know we have sin in our lives, we are encouraged to repent (to turn away from it and ask forgiveness) but God remains ever faithful in a wondrous way we cannot match ('...not of works lest anyone might boast').

I think the best course of action is to rededicate your life to God and keep on keeping on. Recall:

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

So strive to live a life of faith, even though you WILL fail from time to time, repent of your sins as soon as possible, and actively live your fellowship with God through Jesus, and you will be happy and successful.

May God richly and wondrously bless you,

~John of AllFaith