The Bible teaches that I should have confidence in my soul's eternal salvation.
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13).
However, circumstances arise that lead sincere people to ask, "How can I know that I am saved?"
Let's consider some of the popular answers to this question.
1. One's own feelings. Some have been told that they will know that they are saved when a strong feeling comes over them. Thus, some people are convinced that they are saved because they feel like they are saved, while others anxiously wait for this emotional confirmation. The Bible teaches no such thing. The only thing that my feelings prove is that I feel a certain way. In fact, the Bible actually warns against using our feelings as evidence of our salvation.
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9).
"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered" (Prov. 28:26).
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12).
2. Experiences. Others are confident about their salvation because they've experienced a miraculous event or seen a vision. I am in no position to deny what others have experienced or seen. However, I would offer one sincere question: Did you take the time to "test" this experience in light of the Word of God, or did you interpret this experience or vision in light of your preconceived notions and desires? This is an honest question, and deserves an honest answer.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8).
The Bible teaches that man is saved through the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 1:16, 10:13-17), not by visions or miracles.
3. The words of others. Some believe they are saved because someone told them that they were. Perhaps it was their pastor, a friend or loved one. While it is good that we have people in our lives that we feel we can trust, we are not going to get into heaven because we trusted in the right person, nor are we going to get a "free pass" into heaven because we happened to trust the wrong person.
My soul is my soul. It is too important to trust to anyone else.
"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).
The Bible honors the noble-minded Bereans because they searched the Scriptures to make sure the things apostle Paul told them were the truth (Acts 17:11). Paul told the Philippians to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12).
4. The real evidence. Evidence of my soul's salvation does not lie within my subjective feelings, my past experiences or the assurances of those I trust. This evidence comes from God's objective standard -- His word. The gospel contains facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed and promises to be received. If I have believed the facts and obeyed the commands, then I can know that I have received the promises. If I have done what the Bible tells me to do to be saved, then I can know that I am saved.
Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples, and baptize them to be saved (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16). Did his apostles do this?
The lost people in the Book of Acts did what Jesus told them to become Christians. Look them up and do what they did to become Christians. Pentecost Acts 2:14-47; Samaria 8:5-13; Eunuch 8:35-39; Saul Acts 9:17-18 (22:16 also); Cornelius 10:34-48; The Jailer 16:30-33; Lydia Acts 16:13-15. The lost people responded to the gospel call and were baptized. Check it out. I want to become a Christian just like those 2,000 years ago, don't you? Have you believed and obeyed?
Harley Todd is pastor of Tooele Church of Christ at 430 W. Utah Ave. in Tooele; Worship services are 10 a.m., 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. on Sundays; Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information call 882-4642.