Radio Transcript

That You May Know You Are Saved

Do you realize the significance of John’s words? We may know with a certainty that we have been saved from our sins. It is possible for us to have the assurance of eternal life. But how can we know we have been saved from our sins? How can we have this assurance of eternal life? Not by feelings. A person can "feel saved" yet still be lost in his sins. Emotions can be deceitful and cause a person to believe something that simply isn’t true.

Notice John’s words, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." How can we know we have been saved from our sins? How can we have this assurance of salvation? By the things John wrote. I ask you to consider several questions. Then, you can determine whether or not you have been saved.

First question, "Are you in Christ?" John wrote that salvation is in Christ (I John 5:11). There have been times throughout history when it was imperative to be in the God appointed place in order to be saved. For example, in Noah’s day, safety could only be found in the ark. Notice from I Peter 3:18-20, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water." Notice the words, "in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water." "In which" is a reference to "in the ark." Only those persons who were in the ark were saved.

Today, that place of safety is Christ. Eternal life can only be found in Christ. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (I John 5:11). In Christ, a person is a new creature (II Corinthians 5:17); has access to all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:1-3); has redemption from sin (Colossians 1:12-14); enjoys the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:12-14); and is a child of God (Galatians 3:26). To be in Christ is equivalent to being in Christ’s body, the church. Paul wrote, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

How is a person placed into Christ? Through baptism. Simply saying a sinner’s prayer will not place a person in Christ. Simply asking Jesus to save you will not place you in Christ. Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3).

Second question, "Are you obeying Christ?" John wrote, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him" (I John 2:3-5). A person cannot have eternal life, the assurance of salvation we all long for, without obedience to Christ’s commandments. Consider the following, "Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us" (I John 3:24).

The commandments of the Lord have been given to us through the writings of inspired men. Paul wrote, "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord" (I Corinthians 14:37). While it is true that Christ died for all men, only the obedient will be saved. "Though he was a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9).

Third question, "Are you following the example of Christ?" John wrote, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (I John 2:6). Jesus taught us how to live. But he also showed us how to live. Luke wrote, "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach" (Acts 1:1). Jesus realized he could not have a significant influence on others unless he did what he taught.

When we examine Jesus’ life, we see a pattern for our own lives. Christ is our example in giving (John 15:13). He is our example in humility (Philippians 2:5-11). He is our example of forgiving others (Luke 23:34). He is our example in enduring suffering (I Peter 2:21-23). He is our example of courage (Matthew 23:13-33). He is our example of concern for the lost (Luke 19:10). He is our example in learning to work (Mark 6:3). He is our example of compassion (Matthew 9:35-36). He is our example of pleasing God (John 8:29). He is an example for the youth (Luke 2:41-52). He is our example in overcoming temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). He is our example of self-denial (Matthew 8:18-20). He is our example in prayer (Matthew 26:36-46).

Because Jesus is our example in all tings, he challenged men to follow him. "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, I am the light of the world, He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12). Light is a real contrast to darkness, both physically and spiritually. Darkness symbolizes danger, uncertainty, and unrighteousness. In contrast, light is symbolic of safety, assurance, and righteousness.

Fourth question, "Does God’s word dwell in you?" John wrote, "I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one" (I John 2:14). The word of Christ is to dwell in us richly, or abundantly. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).

Consider the blessings we receive when the word dwells in us. We become strong in a spiritual sense. Notice again from I John 2:14, "I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one."

When the word of God abides in us, we are able to overcome temptation. In Matthew 4:3, Satan told Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Notice how Jesus responded. "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." When Jesus said, "It is written," he was referring to that which is written in Deuteronomy 8:3. Satan then took Jesus to the pinnacle, or high place, of the temple. Satan told Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down." Notice again how Jesus responded. "It is written again, You shall not tempt the Lord your God." Satan then took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. He told Jesus, "All these things will I give You if You will fall down and worship me." Jesus responded, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." Jesus was here referring to Deuteronomy 6:13. Notice that in every instance, Jesus’ awareness of the scriptures enabled him to overcome temptation, just as an awareness of the scriptures will enable us to overcome temptation today. The psalmist wrote, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).

In order for the word to dwell in us, certain conditions must exist. We must desire the word. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby" (I Peter 2:2). We must study the word. "Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15). We must obey the word. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22).

Fifth question, "Does the love of God rule your heart?" God’s commandments are not burdensome to those who love God (I John 5:3). Love for God dispels a love for the world. John wrote, "Do not love the world, or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (John 2:15-17). Our love for God is a logical response to God’s love for us. "We love Him because He first loved us" (I John 4:19).

Sixth question, "Is the practice of righteousness a way of life for me?" William Barclay said, "The profession of a man’s lips will always be proved or disproved by the practice of his life." Christianity is not limited to one day out of the week, or to certain time during the week. Christianity is to be a way of life. It is described as a way of holiness (Isaiah 35:9). The practice of righteousness is a way of life for us when we keep Christ’s commandments.

Do you know you are saved? Can you answer yes to each of these questions? Are you in Christ? Are you obeying Christ? Are you following the example of Christ? Does God’s word dwell in you? Does the love of God rule your heart? Is the practice of righteousness a way of life for you?