How can I stop questioning my salvation?

Answer

Doubts about our relationship with God affect most of us at some point. The reasons for questioning our salvation vary. Some reasons are valid, while others are not. This article will explore common reasons people question their salvation and provide biblical solutions to alleviate those troubling thoughts.

Firstly, we need to define what salvation means in terms of eternity. Before determining if we have cause to question our salvation, we must ensure we comprehend from the Bible what it means to be a Christian. A suitable definition of salvation is “the deliverance, by God’s grace, from eternal punishment for sin given to those who accept God’s conditions of repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus.”

1. The primary and most apparent reason some individuals question their salvation is that they are not genuinely saved. False assurance of salvation is one of Satan’s tactics to hinder a genuine relationship with God. However, even false assurance can abandon us during a crisis, in the dead of night, or when we interact with a Spirit-filled Christian and suddenly realize the superficiality of our own assumptions. Second Corinthians 13:5 instructs us to “examine yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith . . . unless, of course, you fail the test.” Therefore, self-examination is beneficial as long as we are truthful with ourselves and use God’s Word as our benchmark.

2. Another reason some people question their salvation is that it is an incredibly generous gift. We cannot earn it, and we acknowledge that we do not deserve it. Just as loving parents give Christmas presents to children before those children can do anything to merit such gifts, our heavenly Father grants us salvation when we are at our lowest «But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. », (Romans

ns 5:8). We struggle to comprehend the concept of grace, and we often find it challenging to accept gifts that we know we do not deserve. Receiving a complete pardon from a holy God may feel inappropriate to us. We feel the need to improve ourselves first. Someone who is determined to “earn their own way” may question their salvation; the concept of grace is too humbling for them to embrace. In the journey of salvation, there are no clear indicators to signal when we have reached the destination. No price tags. No ledgers to inform us when we have met a target. Those who grapple with the grace component of salvation need to assess the foundation of their salvation and determine if they have truly accepted that gift according to Scripture. The book of Galatians was penned for a congregation grappling with the concept of grace and can provide encouragement to those entangled in the grace versus works debate.

3. Another reason why some doubt their salvation is the internal voices they choose to heed. Individuals with introspective tendencies may be more inclined to question their salvation due to their deep inner worlds. The voices of God, Satan’s fiery attacks “above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”, (Ephesians 6:16), and their own thoughts can become entangled, leaving them unsure of how to unravel them.

We need to master the skill of capturing our thoughts “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”, (2 Corinthians 10:5). If a voice in our mind contradicts the truth in God’s Word, it did not originate from God. We are tasked with being the guardians of our minds, vigilant for any intrusive thoughts or notions “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”, (Proverbs 4:23). We identify an intruder, capture it, bring it to Jesus the judge, and inquire, “Is this one of yours?” If we have placed our faith in the completed work of Christ and are following Him to the best of our understanding, then doubts of salvation are intruders and do not belong in a renewed mind (Romans 12:1-2). By forming a habit of assessing and controlling our thoughts, when we detect a lie from the enemy, we can reject the thought and conquer the tendency to question our salvation.

4. Misinterpreting Scripture is another factor that leads some individuals to question their salvation. Even those who have walked closely with God for extended periods can feel disheartened when they encounter a verse that appears to contradict their comprehension. Misunderstanding certain passages has enabled Satan to gain a foothold in the minds of some believers. Verses like Hebrews 6:4–6, Matthew 7:21–23, and other challenging passages, when misinterpreted, can cause vulnerable believers to worry that their presumed secure salvation is actually in jeopardy.

We maintain a balanced and confident stance in our relationship with God when we carefully consider “the entire message of God” «For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. », (Acts 20:27). Interpret unclear verses in the light of clear, easily understandable verses. If a particular verse triggers undue fear, continue studying and explore what the entirety of God’s Word conveys. Seek guidance from reputable teachers. Refer to resources like this one. However, always keep the focus on Jesus: His identity, His redemptive work on our behalf, and our response to Him. Paul stated, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” «For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. », (Jeremiah 29:13; Luke 19:10; John 6:37) (1 Corinthians 2:2).

5. Besetting sins can cause us to question our salvation. When particular sinful habits reassert themselves or refuse to leave, we may doubt if we were ever saved at all. Romans 7 can be a comfort to those battling fleshly temptations. It helps to know that even the apostle Paul wrestled with his flesh. Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We do this by considering ourselves “dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” «Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 6:11). Our flesh no longer gets a vote on our decisions. It is to be treated like a toddler who wants to play in the street. A wise and loving parent will look out for the child’s best interest and do whatever is necessary to redirect the child to safety. Doubts recede as we gain victory over sins that once enslaved us. The God who lives in us is greater than the sin that tempts us, and His power makes us “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37; cf: 1 John 4:4).

6. Dry seasons of the spirit may also cause us to question our salvation. Seasons of dryness are part of any believer’s journey. There are times when our ability to perceive the presence of God is far greater than at other times. We talk about feeling “close to God,” but feelings are not trustworthy barometers. James

4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” God approaches us regardless of whether we feel His presence.

The Holy Spirit does not abandon us “Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’”, (Hebrews 13:5). We live by faith, not by what we see, feel, or our emotions “(for we walk by faith, not by sight:)”, (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is common to doubt our connection with God during spiritual dry spells, but these times can actually lead us to deeper understanding, obedience, and endurance (Revelation 14:12;1 John 2:3).

We cease to question our salvation when we choose to trust God’s promises (John 3:16-18). Our salvation is through faith alone. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God as He declared “And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”, (Matthew 16:16), and if our lives continually reflect Him as our Lord, then we can be confident that we belong to Him and nothing can separate us from His love (John 10:29;1 John 3:1-9). A. W. Tozer wrote, “Faith is the least self-regarding of the virtues. It is by its very nature scarcely conscious of its own existence. . . . The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long sought will be added unto him.”

Whatever you have been trying to accomplish will be achieved through him.”

NOTE: If you comprehend salvation well and have tried the suggestions given above but still struggle with doubts, it could be beneficial to consult with a qualified Christian counselor or pastor. Persistent doubts can sometimes signal an underlying problem or be linked to medical concerns. Seeking appropriate personal support is important to assist you in finding greater peace in the teachings of Christ.