Many people of faith have whispered this question in prayer: “Lord, am I really saved?” It’s a question born not of doubt alone, but of longing—to rest secure in God’s love and to know that His grace will not let us go. The Bible speaks tenderly to this very need, offering not a vague hope, but a sure promise grounded in Christ.
The Scriptures remind us that our assurance of salvation does not come from our feelings, which change like the wind, but from God’s steadfast Word. In the First Letter of John, we read, “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). Notice that word: know. God wants us to live not in fear, but in the peace of knowing that we belong to Him.
Our assurance rests on three pillars. First, on God’s unchanging promise: Jesus said, “Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). Second, on Christ’s finished work: on the Cross He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), showing that our redemption is complete, not half-done. And third, on the Spirit’s living witness: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). When we turn from sin and place our trust in Jesus, we are not guessing at salvation—we are receiving a gift already secured by His love.
Of course, assurance does not mean we will never struggle. There are seasons when faith feels weak and sin seems strong. But even then, the foundation does not move. Our feelings may falter, yet Christ’s mercy remains. The more we abide in Him—through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments—the more His peace takes root in us. The journey of faith is not about holding on tightly enough but being held by the One who never lets go.
So, when doubts come, look not to yourself, but to Christ. Whisper again the promise: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). That is the heart of assurance—not pride, but trust; not fear, but rest in the faithful love of God.
May our hearts find peace in knowing that salvation is not a fragile hope, but a covenant sealed in the blood of Christ. Let us walk each day with confidence—not in ourselves, but in the One who has already claimed us as His own.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
