How can you know you're saved?



A two-year-old boy was once staring at a heater, fascinated by its bright orange glow.  His father saw him and warned, "Don't touch that heater, son.  It may look pretty, but it's hot."  The little boy believed him, and moved away from the heater. 


Some time later, after his father had left the room, the boy thought, "I wonder if it really is hot?"  He then reached out to touch it to see for himself.  The second his flesh burned, he stopped BELIEVING it was hot, he now KNEW it was hot!  He had moved out of the realm of BELIEF into the realm of EXPERIENCE.


Most Christians believed in God's existence before their conversion.  However, when they obeyed the Word of God, turned from their sins, and placed their trust in Jesus, they stopped merely believing.  The moment they reached out and touched the heater bar of God's mercy, they moved out of BELIEF into the realm of EXPERIENCE.  This change is so radical, Jesus referred to it as being "born again" (See John 3:1-5).


The Bible says that those who don't know God are spiritually dead (see Ephesians 2:1; 4:18).  We are born with physical life, but not spiritual life.  The apostle Paul said if you are "in Christ," you are a brand knew creation (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).


Becoming a Christian isn't a change of mind.  It's not an adherence to religious belief or dogma.  It's a complete rebirth.  It's not a wax and polish, a tune-up, or a new paint job.  It's a brand new car.  That's what astounds me about Christianity.  A true convert experiences the power of the invisible God giving him a brand new heart with new desires. 


Those who now have God's Spirit living in them will love what He loves and desire to do His will; they will have a hunger for His Word, a love for other believers, and a burden for the lost.  The Holy Spirit also confirms in their spirit that they are now children of God (see Romans 8:16).  Those who believe on the name of the Son of God can KNOW that they have eternal life (see 1 John 5:12, 13).  A Christian is not someone who has a "belief," but someone who has a relationship with the living God.  They come to know the God of the universe experientially. 


At the risk of being redundant, I don't "believe" the He exists.  I know Him.  Personally, I have a living relationship with the Creator.  I talk to Him through prayer, and He guides me through His Word and by His Holy Spirit.  I have known the Lord since Easter 2006,


I not only know Him, but I love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He is my life, He's my joy, my Creator, my Savior, my Lord and my God.


Suppose two experts - a heater manufacturer and a skin specialist - walked into the room just after that child had burned his hand on the heater.  Both assured the boy that he couldn't possibly have been burned.  But all the experts, theories, and arguments in the world will not dissuade that boy, because of his experience.  Those who have been transformed by God's power need never fear scientific or other arguments, because the man or woman with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument.  "For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance..."(I Thessalonians 1:5).


My earnest hope and prayer would be that those of you who don't have a personal relationship with God would soften your sinful heart, and repent and trust Jesus Christ, so that you too can testify to this unchanging truth:  "This is eternal life: that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and the One You have sent - Jesus Christ" (John 17:3).







(WOTM)