If I feel no guilt for my sin, am I truly saved?

Answer

A genuine believer will demonstrate certain signs of their faith through their actions and attitudes. However, we should not assess our spiritual condition solely based on our emotions, including feelings of guilt. A Christian will naturally be sensitive to sin and willing to confess it, as stated in (1 John 1:9), but feelings of guilt should not be the sole measure of one’s standing before God.

Feelings are transient and often illogical, prone to frequent changes. Our salvation is a state of righteousness that God bestows upon us through His power, as mentioned in (John 1:11-13), by indwelling us with the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, as indicated in (Romans 8:9-11). The degree of guilt or contrition one feels is too subjective to serve as a reliable gauge of whether one has been transformed by God’s Holy Spirit.

If we attempt to assess the genuineness of our salvation based on the intensity of guilt we experience due to our sins, we are confronted with a dilemma: How much guilt is sufficient to ensure our place in heaven? Even the most remorseful individual may not feel guilty enough—yet who can determine this? The Bible clearly states that faith in Jesus Christ is the sole criterion for being recognized as one of God’s children, as mentioned in (John 1:12). According to the Bible, genuine faith will be accompanied by various godly characteristics, with the fruit of the Spirit being paramount, as highlighted in (Galatians 5:22-23).

Galatians 5:22-23. If you are questioning the authenticity of your faith, examining that fruit may be a good starting point. Then, read the book of 1 John.

If you have remained largely unchanged in behavior and attitude since your conversion, you may need to reconsider your sincerity regarding the faith you profess. The same applies if you never experience guilt about anything and can sin without consequences. However, remember that your salvation is a work of God; it is not a standard of behavior you must strive to achieve (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Growing as a Christian entails a heightened awareness of sin; we will not desire to sin (see Psalm 19:12-13;39:1). As we become more like Christ, the Holy Spirit will mold us into valuable instruments for advancing God’s kingdom on earth. Strengthening our resistance against sinful behaviors and thoughts is aided by becoming deeply acquainted with God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Simultaneously, we must ensure that we accurately define what we label as “sin.” It is possible to classify something as sin that is not actually sinful, leading to false guilt. Our perspective on this matter may be influenced by our background and current mentors. Some churches have a legalistic approach, with their leaders mandating strict, non-biblical regulations to alleviate guilt. This often results in more guilt. We must turn to Scripture to delineate sin and distinguish between Old Testament regulations and New Testament principles. It is crucial to correctly handle God’s Word «Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. », (2 Timothy 2:15).

God desires us to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Love must reside in our hearts, accompanied by joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We should not harbor guilt over sins that have been confessed and forgiven. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love expels fear, because fear is related to punishment. The one who is afraid is not perfected in love” «There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. », (1 John 4:18). We will never achieve perfection in this life, but the lives of believers should be characterized by actions and attitudes that are pleasing to God.