This is a letter I wrote to a friend who said he was not sure about his salvation.
I have heard many people express some doubt about their own salvation, including several in our church. Friend, I was dismayed when in Bible Study you mentioned your concern. I was surprised because you and your wife above most Christians I know seem to have solid faith. I hope you will not feel that I am presumptuous in writing to you about this, but the thought has been on my mind since the meeting. I put down some thoughts that I hope will be helpful. Both of you seem to be very close to God. I doubt the following will embody anything new to you, but I thought that going though it might trigger something of help. To me, there is absolutely no reason why you folks are not confident that you will be with God forever in Heaven. I will be happy to spend time with you if there is anything you want to discuss. While I am only a person and not a pastor, I stand ready to try to help. I know I will gain more from this than you will. George
HOW DO WE KNOW?
Many people who call themselves Christians are not sure if they will spend eternity in Heaven. Perhaps this is part of our makeup as humans always to be wary of what may happen to us. Unless we truly trust the Lord, we will have lingering doubts about our salvation. So how do we bring ourselves to believe that we will indeed be saved?
I have not a sliver of doubt about my salvation. I know this as well as I know that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. How did I gain this firm belief? It was a process over time. First I had to be humble that I am not anyone special. Then I learned that Christ’s blessing of salvation is available to everyone, gentiles as well as Jews. He became my Lord when I pledged my life to Him. I prayed the prayer of salvation, confessed my sins, and asked for forgiveness. I signed a pledge to Him that I will do whatever He wants. I love Him above everything and everyone.
I have heard people say that they believe in God but don’t believe in Jesus. You know of course that even if you believe in God, if you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God, there is no salvation. Salvation comes only through Jesus. Jesus died for all of us because He loves us so much. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6.
Bible passages about salvation that may be helpful --
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:12-14
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let those who hear say, "Come!" Let those who are thirsty come; and let all who wish take the free gift of the water of life. Rev 22:17.
Both the Holy Spirit and the bride, the church, extend the invitation to all the world to come to Jesus and experience the joys of salvation in Christ.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the
petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15. God hears and answers the sincere prayers of His children.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). The Word of God imparts faith to our hearts so we can reach out in faith when we pray, and thereby receive answers to our prayers.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:4-6
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24
Jesus is the only one who can save you and forgive all your sins so that you can have eternal life with Him. If you have never before asked Jesus to save you, now is the time to do so, before it is too late. Simply say this prayer out loud, from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and You died for me. Please come into my heart, be my Lord and Savior and forgive me of all my sins and take control of every area of my life from this moment on. Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and use me for Your glory. I want to serve You and love You all the days of my life. Thank You Father, that I am now Your child, in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
After this prayer, read the Bible, pray often and listen to God’s words in church services, and fellowship with God’s people. Your life will never be the same; you’ll have a feeling of peace while on this earth and live forever with Jesus in Heaven. God bless you.
[Seeking the love of God and knowing what Jesus did for us on the cross should be enough incentive for us to come to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. However if a person knows this and yet does not accept Jesus, perhaps something harsher is necessary. Maybe they need to know that the penalty is so severe that no one in their right mind would turn down Jesus’ offer of salvation. When our body dies, our real self, our spirit and soul live on. We can choose to spend eternity in Heaven or be with Satan in hell. Think about this folks! Eternity is forever. I choose to do whatever it takes to be with Jesus.]