If you have NEVER recognised Jesus as your personal Saviour then it is the most important thing you will ever do and we exhort you do so now. Click here for some guidance to help you make that first step of faith in Him. However, if you know that you have already taken this step in the past please read on…
From time to time we come across people who are worried that they’re “not really ‘saved’”. These are genuine believers, people who have recognised Jesus as having died to make atonement for their sins and invited Him into their lives. Their worry is palpable and causes them a lot of anxiety and yet they are people who care about pleasing God and serving him rightly. So why all this self-doubt, why the fear and anxiety about their salvation and their ‘worthiness’ to be a recipient of God’s Grace, love and mercy?
If this is something that you suffer from then this article is for you, so I hope you’re listening. Firstly, in a way, your anxieties and fears are evidence that you are a believer because they prove that you care deeply about God and your standing before Him. However, you are not supposed to stay there. Realising our weaknesses and need for a Saviour will help bring us to the cross of Jesus. Then we can receive, by faith, his forgiveness and peace.
Secondly, being anxious that you’re not saved will not make you unsaved, but it will rob you of the blessings and benefits of knowing God’s peace and joy in your life.
One thing to always remember is that your salvation is not primarily about you; it’s about Jesus. It’s not about your strength and ability, it’s about His. Your question shouldn’t be, ‘Am I saved?’, it should be ‘Is Jesus able to save me?’ And if the answer is ‘yes’, (and it most certainly is, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 8:13), then your fear is flawed, there is no question that Jesus, if you want Him to be, is your Saviour.
The Unpardonable Sin
It’s no surprise that someone who is struggling with this doubt is often also troubled by the following verses from Matthew 12:31-32 “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”
So let’s have a look at what’s going on here. First of all, Jesus is talking to the religious leaders of his day who are accusing Him of using the power of the devil to heal the sick and cast out demons. This was their only option if they rejected the truth that Jesus was from God. If you are anxious that you may not be saved I think we can safely say that you don’t believe that Jesus was using the power of the devil (rather than the Holy Spirit).
Secondly, if you have committed some awful act of sin in the past, and most of us have, it may be that you feel this has disqualified you in some way. If not from heaven, then certainly from God’s blessings. You may know on some level that you are saved but feel that having committed this sin has excluded you from ever fully being used by God (for example, to heal the sick or receive revelation of His will).
I’m not going to make a list of sins here because that would not be helpful. But what may help you is knowing that most of the saints in the Bible, from both the Old and New Testament, did practically every bad thing we can think of. Moses was a murderer, King David was an adulterer, Rahab who is mentioned as a great hero of faith (in Hebrews) was a prostitute, the Apostle Paul (who wrote most of the New Testament) describes himself as the worst of sinners. If your past is bad then you are in good company with the saints – that’s why Jesus died for you!
No sin is beyond the redeeming work of Jesus. Thank Him, receive his forgiveness – repent and move on with thankfulness. The Holy Spirit brings conviction to bring you into repentance, forgiveness and closure – His aim is peace and life – let Him do this work in your heart and allow Him to bless you with the peace, love and joy God always meant for you to have.
In Colossians Paul exhorts the young churches:
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Colossians 2:6-7 NIV
This is great advice. We come to Jesus with trust and a submitted heart and that is how we stay living in Him. We cultivate this relationship through reading the Bible (I recommend you spend some time in Ephesians) and being honest with God (praying!). Tell Him about your worries:
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you Psalm 55:22
The enemy (the accuser) may whisper doubt and condemnation into your mind, but we know this is not from God as “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NIV).
Jesus is all sufficient and all powerful to save and restore, and you belong to Him. So listen instead to the voice of the Holy Spirit in your heart that testifies that you are now a fully adopted child of God (Romans 8:16). Break all agreement with the enemy and live like a child of the King.
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Hello is romans 8:16 to those who asked the lord ro be their saviour or after baptism i ask so i can know without confusion arising?
This is a great question to ask on our next live Q&A!
it’s like i want to follow His Word, but at the same time, my sin (the same sin i keep committing actually) feels good and i hate that it does. I have been questioning my salvation for a year now. I’m 13 years old
Hi Dede, it sounds like you’re facing a lot of changes and challenges right now and that’s not uncommon for a young adult entering adolescence. It can be a tough time and many question their faith and decide it’s too hard to be a Christian in their teenage years – especially with all those emotional and social pressures. But always remember, Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20). The number one job of the devil is to accuse you (it’s one of his names – ‘the accuser’) and make you feel like giving up when you mess up.… Read more »
hey, im in dire need of help. for months now I have went without feeling the presence of God, and I feel no conviction of the Holy Spirit. I have accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and acknowledged Him as my Lord and savior over a 100 times. however, I worry that I didn’t actually mean it with my heart because I didn’t feel anything when I accepted Him. currently I feel so confused, I think im actually eternally damned to go to hell if I die. im so scared, please help me.
Hi Taylor – It’s important that you understand that your ‘being saved’ does not depend on your feelings. Our feelings are fickle, they change and also doubts may come BUT the Lord “is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 118. We are saved not by feelings, or by intellect or by even our determination – but by trusting in God’s goodness and grace – it sounds to me like you truly believe in God and in his Son Jesus Christ (otherwise you would not be so concerned!) – so begin to believe and thank him for HIS… Read more »
I am also in this position. I’ve grown up in a Christian household and have been baptized. I once had a strong relationship with God when I was 16 but I strayed so far, meaning I wasn’t praying or going to church. I am 26 now and I have a lot of friends who believe in the “modern religion”. They believe religion was man made and that only God is the higher power. I have found myself wondering if my way is the right way. Thoughts of “was Jesus real?” “Is the Bible fake?” “Did any of this happen?” I’ve… Read more »
We recommend joining one of our online Classes where you can ask questions, but also encounter the real Jesus for yourself. It just sounds as though the enemy is trying to distract you and cause you to lose your peace by bringing fear into your heart and mind. It’s time for you to be free and discover the Truth, the person of Jesus.
I have been baptized. However, although I claimed Jesus was my Savior…I feel like I did it mostly because others wanted me to, and because others (my friends) were getting baptized at the time. With this being said, Im worried if that is a true baptism, and that I am saved or not. I also am worried that I might not have received His Spirit because of that, so what should I do?
Hi Caroline, your concern is evidence that you value the saving work of Jesus and outpouring of the Holy Spirit – so you are in a great place and you won’t be disappointed. I recommend you watch Aliss’ video ‘Your Spirit Life’ and rededicate your life to the Lord afresh and receive the Holy Spirit – It’s on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2LLXVsXdTw (and also here on our portal) – I also recommend you subscribe to our portal here because we have some great resources to get you living ‘the Spirit Lifestyle’ and classes you can join to get help and encouragement from… Read more »
I have an on going debate, mainly with myself now as no one will listen to me. So.. I believe that once you repent you should not go back to your sins but people have said that’s impossible and God will except you if you sin or not. So why is something a sin if it doesn’t matter if we do it or not if God will forgive us anyway? I think it’s important to recognise our sins and give it up for God. Why do people get baptised to then just carry on living a sinful life because they… Read more »
Kat, that is a great question for next month’s Live Q&A. If you’ll be watching, can you resend the question to us through the form on the livestream page and we’ll do our best to answer it for you?
I am so terrified of the second coming,I don’t spend enough time with Jesus,not praying enough. I am struggling with the same sin again and again. I am hopeless
We’ve had a number of people over the years ask us the same question, so Rob wrote an article. If you go to articles at the bottom of the home page and scroll down you should find it. It’s called ‘I’m worried I might not be saved’. You should find it helpful.
Thinking you are hopeless is trick of the Devil. He is the accuser and author of fear. I am telling you are not hopeless unless you have sinned against the Holy Ghost. God always had a plan of salvation in the Old Testament and the New Testament and if anyone tried to detour from Gods plan they experienced the wrath of God.What do you think would have happened if Noah had cut the logs for the Ark one 1/16 off from the instructions God. I think you and I know what would happened. The Ark would have sunk. Moses was… Read more »
SAME. LITERALLY MY EXACT SITUATION
Hi rob
I had believed for many years that I might have committed the unpardonable sin until revelation revealed this sin is the rejection of the holy ghost. Let me elaborate. There is no salvation without conviction of sin and the one who convicts us is the Holy Spirit. When we reject his prompting of sin he is aggrieved and God is dismayed. As sin can not enter into heaven this rejection cannot be omitted. However, any believer can never be guilty of this sin as they have accepted Christ. And therefore cannot be guilty.
a believer can’t commit the unforgivable sin. the unforgivable sin is rejecting Christ until you died. so all the people in hell have committed the unforgivable sin. so that’s why they’re down there, because that sin is unforgivable
Rob, I have carefully studied your statements and being sceptical (and we all should be discerning and on the look out for the counterfeit) I find your statements Biblical and doctrinal. Right up to the last I thought you were going to omit repentance but you didn’t! I would also add your clear teaching,good humour and joy shines through! So as soon as I can, I’m going to buy one of your books! God bless you, your ministry and your family!
Thanks! I appreciate that…
hey Jesús Christ die for our sins on a crucified on the cross. But then resurrected on the third day Jesus saved us let’s accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and repent from sins anything that don’t Please God and believe with Faith Jesus Christ crucified for our sins and resurrected on the third day. Let’s and for Forgiveness of sins and build a relationship with The Lord and Jesus Christ and receive Holy Spirit as guidance share the message with others about Jesus Christ death and resurrection on third third day came of life. And how we… Read more »
This really helped me. Thanks a lot. I’M SO GRATEFUL