Remember as you examine your own heart and life that we are talking about evidence so that you can know that you are saved and are destined for heaven and eternal life. We’re NOT talking about “how to be saved.” We’re discussing how, after you have made a profession of faith and think or believe that you are saved, how then you can know for sure that you are actually saved. You cannot earn or work for salvation and eternal life. If you have eternal life, it comes only as a free gift from God to you. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
So don’t confuse cause and effect. If you are truly saved, there will be evidence of that in your life. You–and others–will see God at work in your life. You’ll see it in the changes in your life in your actions, attitude, obedience. Your desires have changed as you really want to please the Lord and follow Him. None of those changes that you see in your life can earn you salvation because that is all of grace. It is God’s goodness that led you to repentance and brought you to Himself. Most of what you see will be God Himself making changes in you as you submit to Him and respond to the truth of Scripture. In fact your very desire to read God’s Word and to please Him are indications that He is in your life.
So how do you know that Jesus has saved you and lives within?
- Because you actually follow Jesus in your daily life. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” They listen to Me and obey Me. John 10:27