Perseverance of the Saints: Can we KNOW that we are saved?

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:13 NIV)

If one is basing salvation on what he or she has done for God (works), how can that one ever know they have done enough? The object of our faith must be solely in Jesus’ sacrifice and not our works. If we must work, we are denying the sufficiency of Christ on the cross. Hebrews 10:14 tells us that by the single sacrifice of Jesus our salvation is perfected or made complete forever while we are being sanctified with God working in us (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

1 John 5:13 states unequivocably that we can be sure of our salvation based on our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by what we do, but if we are saved we will gladly want to do anything for the one who loves us so much. If we “believe in the name of the Son of God” we have surety. John 10:28 says that no one can snatch believers out of Christ’s hand. Romans 8:37-39 says that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

What about people who profess to be Christians for a long time but deconstruct? Jesus would say He never knew them (Matthew 7:22). 1 John 2:19 states very clearly that if a person claims to be with us, but leaves, then they were never really with us. They were not serving Jesus from the heart. With no real relationship to Jesus, they left. The deserters are like the 5 virgins in the parable in Matthew 25 who fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom to come. Because they missed the coming of the bridegroom, the Lord of the wedding told them "I do not know you." Examples of those leaving the faith or apostacy in Scripture are 1 Timothy 1:19-20; 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:10.

How do we know we are saved? We know because we believe and trust what the Scriptures tell us. As Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 ESV)" We hear, He knows his own, and then they follow.

Pray: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving us and keeping us following You. Amen"