How Do I Know I'm Right with God? Finding Certainty in Your Salvation
The question that keeps many believers up at night isn't about finances, relationships, or career decisions—it's about their eternal destiny. "How do I know I'm right with God?" This was the second most asked question in our recent church survey, and it's one that deserves a clear, biblical answer.
We live in a world where uncertainty breeds anxiety. When we don't know how things will turn out, we become nervous, indecisive, and restless. But imagine carrying that uncertainty about the most important question of all—your relationship with God. The impact on our daily lives is profound, affecting everything from our confidence to our peace of mind.
Why This Question Matters
Understanding salvation isn't just theological exercise—it was Jesus' primary mission. John 3:16 makes this crystal clear: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Notice Jesus didn't come primarily to improve our marriages, boost our careers, or make us better people (though these can be wonderful byproducts). He came to save us from perishing.
We've somehow lost touch with this central truth in modern Christianity. We treat Jesus like a life coach when He came to be our Savior. While following Jesus will lead to a better life, that's secondary to the eternal rescue mission He accomplished on the cross.
You Were Made for Peace with God
Originally, humanity enjoyed perfect peace with God in the Garden of Eden—a place the Bible describes as paradise. We were created for delight and enjoyment in relationship with our Creator. That nagging sense in your soul, that feeling that something is missing no matter how successful or happy you become, exists because you were made to be at peace with God.
The beautiful promise in Revelation 21:4 shows us God's ultimate plan: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Three Steps to Knowing You're Right with God
1. Believe in Your Heart Romans 10:9 tells us to "believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead." This isn't intellectual agreement—it's a heart decision to trust that Jesus is who He claimed to be and accomplished what He said He would do.
2. Confess with Your Mouth The same verse says "confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord.'" Like a wedding ceremony, there's power in public declaration. What we confess, we commit to.
3. Follow and Repent Jesus' first message was simple: "Repent." This means making a U-turn, choosing to live differently. It's not about perfection—even Paul struggled with doing things he didn't want to do. It's about the posture of your heart and getting back up when you fall.
Living in Confidence
If you've believed in your heart, confessed with your mouth, and are following Jesus (even imperfectly), then you can know with certainty: you're saved. God doesn't want you confused about your standing with Him. He wants you to live with confidence, peace, and clear direction, knowing that He is for you, not against you.
This isn't just about your eternal destiny—it's about how you live today, knowing you're completely right with God.