assembled by Russell Earl Kelly

1. You can know for sure whether or not you have personally experienced salvation.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,  NASU [an inner peace]

2 Tim 1:12 I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. [knowledge; not guessing or hoping]

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.  KJV [know]

2.  Admit that you are a sinner in need of salvation. The Holy Spirit convicts of the need to believe in Christ. The mere acknowledgment of sinfulness is proof of the Holy Spirit’s conviction.

John 16:7‑11 the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him to you.  8  And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9.  Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and you see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

 3.  Confess your faith in Jesus as Savior and His resurrection. Saving knowledge of Jesus as the Savior comes from a heart yielded to God. Conviction that Christ has been resurrected is supernatural revelation from God. Saving faith is demonstrated when we openly confess our faith in Jesus Christ. We can then claim to possess salvation because God’s Word has promised it to us.

Rom 10:9‑13 That if you shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture says, Whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4. You must claim the promises of God's Word. Believe that God has kept His promises in His Word. This is where inner peace comes from (not from our works of obedience which will surely follow). Our “feelings” are not a necessary “proof” of our relationship with God. You don't have to FEEL saved in order to BE saved any more than you always have to feel married in order to remain married.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power [authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

5.  Having been saved, you should have an ACTIVE CONSCIENCE. This is a reminder that you are a new “creation” [born again] with a new desire to obey your Heavenly Father. Those without an active conscience have (a) either never been saved or (b)fallen out of fellowship with God and are sure to be disciplined.

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me     witness in the Holy Spirit.   (also 1 Pet 3:20,21) [the still small voice]

6. Peace accompanies salvation. You are an adopted child of God in a secure relationship because all of your sins have been forgiven (1 John 3:2; Colossians 2:13; Rom 8:30-39). Sins committed after the new birth should be confessed because they can remove “fellowship” but nor relationship (1 John 1:3-9).

John 14:26‑27 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

6. Your lifestyle and desires should be different from those around you who do not profess to have been saved. You, not they, are a new creation with new desires and spiritual abilities to serve God.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. NASU (also Mt 5:16 light shines)

7. Constant sacrificial love for the brethren should control our life decisions.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. NASU

1 John 4:20‑21 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.  21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. NASU

8. Offer forgiveness to those who have sinned against you whether or not they deserve it.

  1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we l ove the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death.  KJV

 

9. Habitually confess and overcome new sins as you continue growing in Christ. 

         1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. NASU