You Can Know You Are Saved

You Can Know You Are Saved I Jn. 5:11-13

INTRO.: Robert Shank, in his book, "Life In the Son" tells of a successful business man of Kansas City who was an earnest Christian. He was greeted by his banker with the question, "What do you know for sure, Pete?" He immediately replied, "I know the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin, I’m a child of God by faith and I’m on my way to Heaven."

Surprised and impressed, the banker said, "Wait a minute. Come into my office. I want to talk to you." The man had the exciting experience of talking at length to the banker concerning the grace of God and the glorious things He has provided for all who will believe and trust Him.

There is very little we humans crave more than certainty. We want to be certain about our health. We want to know our car can be depended on. We want to know we can pay our bills and we can afford to retire someday. We want to know we are forgiven for our sins and we want to be certain of eternal life.

Yet, there are few who are certain. If you ask, "Are you saved?" many folk won’t know what you are talking about. Others will say, "I hope so," "I guess I am," or "I don’t know." Some will say, "I go to Church, etc." Some follow the very dangerous practice of relying on their feelings.

Some say we can’t be sure of salvation because we don’t know the future. That’s not quite true. I can reasonably predict what the future holds for you and me. I’ll get up tomorrow morning and make a pot of coffee. It’s reasonable to expect I’ll eat breakfast and then go about all the normal activities of the day. It is extremely unlikely I’ll rob a bank, murder anyone, or convert to Islam. I probably won’t curse God and it’s doubtful I’ll win the lottery even if I buy a ticket, which I don’t intend to do.

Technically, I suppose we don’t absolutely know the future, but that isn’t the issue. The issue is: "Am I saved now?" and "Can I have reasonable assurance of eternal life?" I want to assure you that you can. John states this is his reason for writing his epistle in 5:13. He gives us 7 tests by which we may assure our hearts before God:

I. Test #1: Do you believe Jesus Christ is God’s Son and are you trusting Him for your salvation?

A. Only believers have assurance of eternal life. 5:13

1. We must have a firm faith that He is God’s Son. "If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God." 4:15

2. There is no other Name under Heaven that has the power to save our souls.

3. It is this faith that overcomes the world and gives us second birth.

B. But, be careful. To confess this faith is not just a glib expression of mental assent. It involves serious conviction if it means anything at all.

1. We must be willing to live according to our faith. Faith that does not change lives is no faith at all. James 2:19, 20, 24

2. In John’s day, such a confession might endanger one’s life. In many lands this is true today as well.

3. Making a profession of faith may seem easy for you but don’t do it unless you consider its implications and you are serious about it.

II. Hebrews 5:8, 9: "Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him"

A. Jesus told the Jewish leaders they could become His disciples if they would hold to His teachings. John 8:31

1. He said if anyone would keep His word, he would not see death. John 8:51

2. Are you keeping His commandments? I John 2:3-5

3. We are liars if we claim to know Him and do not obey Him.

B. Love for Jesus is demonstrated by obedience: John 14:21-24

1. If we love Jesus, we will obey Him. Then He will love us and the Father will love us and abide with us.

2. Those who don’t love Him don’t obey Him because they follow their own inclinations and desires of the flesh.

3. If we love someone, we do what he asks. Many "Christians" show no evidence of love for Jesus.

III. Do you follow the example of Jesus?

A. He has set an example for us and calls us to imitate His integrity and faithfulness to God. I John 2:6

1. If He is our Savior, He must be our example.