Why This Question Matters
When you ask yourself, “How do I know I’m redeemed? Am I truly saved?” You’re asking one of the most critical questions of your life. I know this because I’ve asked the same question, which weighed heavily on my heart. I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling—how can I be sure?
I knew that salvation is at the heart of the Christian faith, and being confident in our redemption impacts every part of our lives—our peace, our assurance, and even how we relate to God and others. I found myself needing reassurance. But why? Even though I knew I was saved and accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior, I didn’t understand.
Many believers struggle with this question at some point. Some worry they aren’t truly saved because they don’t always feel saved. We may feel this way because we fear not going through the pearly gates to spend eternity with our Lord.
Others wonder if their past sins or present struggles mean they were never redeemed in the first place. Some fear they may have believed in vain or could lose their salvation without realizing it. That is such a depressing place to be.
This is not just a mental issue or the study of religious beliefs; it’s deeply personal. If we’re not sure of our salvation, it can lead to anxiety, doubt, and even pull us away from God.
On the other hand, if we wrongly assume that we have been saved when we are not, that’s an even more serious concern. That’s why seeking clarity on this issue is crucial, using God’s Word as our guide. His Word is the only true way to understand and know that you have received salvation and have been redeemed.
Common Struggles with Assurance
As with me, many people struggle with doubts about their salvation. Here are some of the most common struggles:
1. Feelings vs. Faith – “I don’t always feel saved. Does that mean I’m not?”
Many people mistakenly rely on their emotions as proof of their salvation. They may have moments where they feel on fire for God, but other times, they feel distant or unworthy. It’s important to understand that salvation isn’t based on how we feel at any given time but on our faith in Christ.
2. Ongoing Sin Struggles – “If I still struggle with sin, does that mean I’m not truly saved?”
Another common doubt is the struggle with sin. Many wonder if their ongoing battle with sin is a sign that they aren’t truly saved. Some may even believe that a true believer should never struggle with sin. However, Scripture teaches that Christians continue to battle the flesh, as seen in Romans 7:24-25:
“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin.” NKJV
This struggle is part of being a Christian. As believers, we are no longer servants of sin, but we still live in a fallen world with our sinful nature. The key is not whether or not we struggle but whether we are continually fighting that sin and striving to live for God.
This battle shows that God is at work in you and is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence, guiding you to become more Christ-like. It’s mind-blowing that we have been given the Holy Spirit to reside in us as His Holy Temple. He is there for us whenever we need Him; we just need to listen to His prompts and gentle nudges.
3. Lack of a Dramatic Conversion Experience – “I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I was saved. Does that mean I’m not?”
Some people feel uncertain about their salvation because they can’t recall a dramatic, life-altering experience when they gave their lives to Christ. However, salvation doesn’t always come with a dramatic conversion experience. For many, it’s a gradual process of coming to faith.
While some people have a clear “before and after” moment, others experience salvation more slowly as they grow in their understanding and trust in Christ. The important thing to keep in mind is that it’s not the experience that saves you but your faith in Jesus. Whether your conversion was a sudden moment or a gradual journey, the key is that you have placed your trust in Christ for your salvation.
I didn’t have a dramatic conversion moment. It was more of a slow, steady journey that eventually led to a moment of clarity through scripture and the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. From what I’ve experienced, meditate on God’s Word and continue to pray; the Lord will make things clear in His time and light your path.
4. Fear of Losing Salvation – “What if I mess up and lose my salvation?”
Many believers live in constant fear that they could somehow mess up and lose their salvation. This fear often originates because we don’t fully understand the security of God’s promises. However, Scripture makes it clear that God’s power keeps His children secure.
In John 10:28 , Jesus says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” The assurance of salvation is rooted in God’s strength, not our ability to save ourselves.
As His children, we are held in His grasp, and nothing can separate us from His love. This doesn’t give us a license to sin but offers peace, knowing that God will never abandon us.
Consider Paul’s words in Romans 8:38-39, which reminds us that no sin, no power, no circumstance—can separate us from God’s love:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)
5. False Assurance Concerns – “What if I only think I’m saved, but I’m really not?”
This is a reasonable concern and one that many people wrestle with. Some assume they are saved because they attend church regularly, live morally, do good deeds, or have had emotional moments, like when tears stream down my face during worship. But Scripture urges us to examine ourselves to ensure our faith is genuine.
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul urges believers:
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (NIV)
Self-examination is essential but must be grounded in the truth of God’s Word. If we rely on our own standards, such as our feelings or good deeds, we may miss the boat; it’s easy to be misled by the evil one. But we can find clarity and assurance when we examine ourselves through what Scripture says.
Genuine assurance comes from placing our faith in Jesus Christ alone. There is no amount of work we can accomplish or, through our experiences, can save us. The key question to ask is, “Am I truly relying on Jesus’ guidance or am I trusting in my own efforts?” If your faith is in Jesus, you can rest assured that you are saved, even if you wrestle with doubt or sin.
Finding Clarity and Confidence
I decided to put this post together because I struggled with the assurance of my salvation. You’re not alone if you’ve ever wrestled with the same doubts. This post is designed to help you find clarity and confidence by addressing these struggles through biblical truth, personal reflection, and practical steps.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Biblical Foundation – You’ll learn what the Scripture teaches about redemption and salvation.
- Common Doubts & Their Answers – I’ll address your fears, struggles, and misconceptions about the assurance of your redemption.
- False vs. True Assurance – You’ll be able to determine what real salvation looks like versus false confidence.
- Practical Ways to Strengthen Faith: There are steps to grow in your relationship with Christ and be assured of your salvation.
My hope is that you will understand salvation and experience the deep peace and confidence that comes from knowing you are truly redeemed. What a blessing!
Biblical Foundation: What the Bible Says About Salvation and Redemption
So, let’s get to it. You may find yourself reading this more than once as you grow in your understanding of redemption, and that’s okay. Salvation is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It’s not just about what happens when we die—it’s about our relationship with God right now, today, and for eternity.
If we get this question wrong—whether or not we’re truly saved—nothing else matters. But if we get it right, it changes everything.
Many believers wrestle with doubts about their salvation. The other day, I met someone in a Bible study who said he didn’t feel saved. He even wondered if Jesus was a real person. I could relate to his struggle, and I had to tell him about my own experience—how God instantly took away my alcoholism the moment I was baptized. If that’s not proof of the power of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, I don’t know what is.
But here’s the truth: salvation isn’t built on feelings—it’s built on God’s Word. And if we want absolute assurance, the best place to start is with His truth.
What the Bible Says About Salvation and Redemption
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells the story of salvation—how a holy God rescues sinners through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Redemption isn’t something we can earn or achieve; it’s entirely the work of God. Through His grace—His undeserved favor and kindness—He offers us salvation as a gift, not a reward.
One of the most straightforward explanations of salvation is found in Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” NIV
This verse shows us that salvation is not something we can earn—it is a gift. Take some time to think about that verse! If our salvation depended on us—on our performance, good deeds, or moral record; we would always have reason to doubt. But because salvation is God’s work, we can have confidence in it.
Another key verse is Romans 10:9:
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” NIV
Notice how simple yet profound this is. Salvation is not a complicated formula; it is trusting in Jesus as your savior. If we believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that His sacrifice on the cross is all we need, then what else is there? Believe in Jesus, and you are saved.
At the end of this post, you’ll have the opportunity to pray and accept Jesus into your heart.
Key Scriptures on Assurance
The Bible doesn’t just tell us how to be saved; it also assures us that we are saved. If you ever struggle with doubt as I did in the past, these verses can serve as an anchor for your faith:
- John 10:27-28 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” NIV
Jesus promises that those who belong to Him are secure—not because of their strength, but because of His. Our role is to listen to His voice through the Holy Spirit and follow Him.
- 1 John 5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
Isn’t that incredible? God wants us to have assurance. Salvation is not meant to be a guessing game.
- Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” NIV
That’s pretty cool, not even our own sin or any other failures can separate us from Christ once we are His.
These scriptures remind us that our assurance is based on God’s promises, not our performance. If you ever find yourself doubting, come back to the Word. God is far more faithful than how we feel.
The Role of Grace and Faith
If the only way to receive salvation was based on our efforts to please God, we could never be sure we had done enough. No matter how hard we tried, doubt would always creep in—have I prayed enough? Have I done enough good? Have I repented correctly? But the Bible is clear, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Grace means that God freely gives us salvation—not because we have earned or deserved it, but because of His love and mercy. It is His unmerited favor and kindness, an undeserved gift we could never obtain through works. Grace is God reaching down to us when we have no strength or way to reach Him. It’s His love meeting us right where we are.
- Faith is how we receive this grace. It’s more than just believing Jesus exists; it’s fully trusting in Him, resting in His promises, and relying on Him alone for our salvation. Having faith means, “I know I can’t save myself, but I trust that Jesus has already done the work for me.” Without Him, we have no hope.
Salvation is God’s work from start to finish. We bring nothing to the table except our need for Him. Even our ability to believe isn’t something we muster up on our own—it’s a gift from God. As mentioned earlier (Ephesians 2:8), “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” ESV
When I finally understood this, it lifted the burden of trying to ‘earn’ my way to heaven. It allowed me to rest in the assurance that Jesus had paid my sin debt—that He’s the one who saved me, held me, and kept me safe.
A Personal Reflection
I didn’t grow up going to church. In fact, I didn’t start attending until I met my wife. To get married in the Catholic Church, I had to go through the RCIA class and be baptized. But even after that, I was never really sure if I was saved—I felt like I hadn’t accepted Jesus on my terms.
For a couple of years, we attended church regularly. My wonderful wife sang in the choir, and we were involved. But after a change in the worship director, everything shifted. Eventually, we only showed up on holidays.
Over the years, I read through the Bible a couple of times, but it didn’t seem to sink in. It wasn’t until I was in my sixties, after joining a new church, that I truly felt the Spirit working in me. When the Holy Spirit called me, I was baptized on His terms, and my entire life made a 180-degree turn. That’s an incredible story for another time.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: It’s never too late to be confident in your salvation.
Maybe you grew up in church and have always believed in God, but you’re unsure if you’ve truly placed your faith in Christ. Or maybe you’ve been running from God and wondering if He would save you. The good news is this: salvation is not about how “good” you’ve been or how you feel—it’s about trusting in Jesus alone.
So, let me ask you: Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Do you trust in His finished work on the cross? If so, the Bible assures us that you are redeemed.
This doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle with doubt or sin—we all do. But it does mean you belong to Him, and nothing can change that. Your salvation isn’t based on how perfect you are but on what He has done for you.
Recognizing your sin is the first step. Sin takes many forms—pride, anger, selfishness, and even neglecting our relationship with God. But the good news is that redemption isn’t about being sinless; it’s about recognizing when you’ve sinned, turning back to God in true repentance, and relying on Jesus to keep you on the path to righteousness.
He doesn’t expect perfection—He calls us to believe in Jesus, trust Him fully, and grow in our relationship with Him. Over time, you’ll learn to hear His voice through the Holy Spirit. How? The best ways are to spend time in His Word, through prayer, and quiet time reflecting on scripture.
I enjoy quiet time meditating on a verse or simply listening for His voice and direction. My go-to verse to quiet my mind is Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God…” ESV
Final Thought: Resting in God’s Promise
When Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). This means the work of salvation is done; it is complete.
If you are in Christ, Meaning you’ve accepted Jesus as Savior, you don’t have to live in fear or uncertainty. You can rest in God’s promise that you are saved, forgiven, and eternally secure in Him.
Prayer to Accept Jesus as Your Savior
If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and want to invite Him into your life, feel free to do so now. Salvation is a gift freely given to everyone who believes; all you need to do is receive His gift by faith. I invite you to pray this prayer with a sincere heart:
Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus, you are the living God. I understand that my sin deserves judgment. Thank you for loving me enough to take that judgment—your death in my place. Thank you for providing a way for me to be kept safe when you will judge all evil. In faith, I trust you—and your sacrifice—as full payment for my sin. Help me turn away from anything that dishonors you, and follow you with all my heart. I want you to be first in my life, to lead me each day. My life is yours, Lord. Help me to know you better. Amen. Jonathan Schaeffer, Grace Church
Congratulations on your decision to follow Jesus! This is the most important choice you will ever make. Remember, salvation is just the beginning of your journey with Him. As you grow in your relationship with Jesus, spend time in His Word, connect with a church community, and seek to follow Him with all your heart.
If you prayed that prayer and meant it, know that you are now part of God’s family, and nothing can ever separate you from His love. That’s amazing; pray and invite Jesus into your heart, and you will receive salvation. Your next step is to trust in His promises and let Him lead you on this new, exciting path of faith.
Summary
As you progress in your faith, remember that salvation is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus. There will be times of joy and times of struggle, but through it all, God remains faithful. Lean on Him, trust His promises, and keep growing in His Word. Surround yourself with other believers who offer encouragement and help to strengthen your faith. Most of all, never forget this truth: You are redeemed, loved, and belong to Jesus Christ forever.