No one should presume they’ll go to heaven, as many who identify as Christians or believe they’re heaven-bound may not actually be (Matthew 7:21-23).
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Simply saying a prayer does not guarantee that a person is truly born again and saved if their life shows no evidence of transformation. Scripture teaches that true salvation results in a changed heart and a new way of living. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Jesus Himself warns in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” While salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), genuine faith is always accompanied by repentance and a desire to follow Christ (James 2:17). If a person claims to be saved but continues to live in unrepentant sin and embraces the ways of the world without conviction or transformation, it raises serious questions about whether their faith is genuine (1 John 2:3-4). True believers will still struggle with sin, but they will also have a growing desire to turn from it and live in obedience to God. The evidence of salvation is not just in words but in a changed life that seeks to honor Christ (Galatians 5:22-24).
A born-again believer can have assurance of their salvation because Scripture repeatedly affirms that those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation can know with certainty that they are saved. In 1 John 5:13, the apostle John writes, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” This verse emphasizes that salvation is not based on personal feelings or fluctuating emotions but on the unchanging promises of God. Jesus Himself declares in John 10:28-29 that He gives His sheep eternal life, and no one can snatch them out of His hand. Moreover, Romans 8:16 affirms that “the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,” indicating that the Holy Spirit provides inner assurance to believers. Salvation is a gift received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and because it is grounded in Christ’s finished work rather than human effort, believers can trust in the reliability of God’s Word. While doubts may arise, the believer’s confidence ultimately rests on God’s faithfulness, His promises, and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit, not on subjective experiences or personal merit.
A person can know they are saved by examining their faith in Jesus Christ and trusting in the promises of Scripture. The Bible clearly states that salvation comes through faith in Christ alone, not by works or personal merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). Romans 10:9 affirms, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This means that salvation is secured by trusting in Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Assurance of salvation also comes through the witness of the Holy Spirit, as Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Additionally, a transformed life is evidence of genuine faith—those who are saved will bear spiritual fruit and desire to follow Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-23). While emotions and doubts may come, true assurance is based on God’s promises, not feelings. Those who trust in Christ and see His ongoing work in their lives can confidently rest in the certainty of their salvation, knowing that God is faithful to keep His word (Philippians 1:6).
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