Can I be assured that I have received eternal life? Did I really understand what the gospel was?
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
~I Corinthians 15:3-4:
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
We cannot add works to this gospel or it is another gospel and another Jesus (Galatians 1:6-8; II Corinthians 11:3-4) and turns us away from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.
1. GOD’S LOVE FOR US
God’s love is far more than we can ever comprehend and He desires to give us eternal life through His Son who was resurrected from the dead.
John 3:16:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Romans 5:8:
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (AMP)
Ephesians 2:4:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
2. SIN SEPARATED MAN FROM GOD
Sin means missing the mark of perfection.
Isaiah 53:6:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Romans 5:12:
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
3. MAN’S EFFORTS CANNOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE CREATED BY SIN
Neither good works, moral lives, religion, baptism, church membership, confirmation, philosophy, can bridge the gulf which separates us from God.
Romans 3:20:
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his own sight:”
Titus 3:5a:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done…”
4. JESUS CHRIST IS GOD’S REMEDY FOR SIN
Acts 13:38-39:
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Ephesians 1:7:
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
I John 2:2:
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
5. HOW TO ACCEPT GOD’S FREE GIFT OF SALVATION
There is nothing that you can do to earn eternal life; you are saved by God’s grace and grace alone. He has completely forgiven all your sins. If you sincerely turn to Christ Jesus in faith and trust Him for what He has done for you, God will save you and give you His Holy Spirit.
John 1:12:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
John 6:47:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
Romans 6:23:
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness”
Ephesians 2:8-9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
It is not a prayer that saves you; prayer is only evidence of your faith and trust in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The following is only a sample prayer, but you can pray in your own words.
Sample Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need you in my life. I believe with all my heart that you died for me and that your blood has paid the price for all my sins. I believe you rose again from the dead to offer me your righteousness and resurrected life. I now place my faith in you as my personal Savior and ask you to come into my life. Thank you for forgiving me and thank you for your mercy. Thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life.
Believe that God has heard your prayer and that you have received the Holy Spirit, the life of God, which gives eternal life to you. You are now His child and your salvation is settled once and for all. Live by faith and grow in your understanding of His grace and love. The blessed Holy Spirit will be with you forever comforting you and teaching you the things of Christ.
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Ephesians 1:6-7:
“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
Ephesians 1:13:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
John 10:28:
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
John 20:31:
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Philippians 1:6:
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
I John 5:13:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”
Related Material:
My Position in Christ (accepted and secure forever)
Can We Ever Lose Our Salvation?
The Law of Moses and the Grace of God
Recommended Ministry:
Bob George Ministries with Bob George (1933-2018)
Timeless teachings on the complete forgiveness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ.
Recommended for Further Reading:
Belief implies trust in Jesus and by this faith you are saved by Don Koenig [offsite article]