Ye May Know

“Ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Many believers lack the assurance of their salvation. Oftentimes this is due to a failure on the part of other believers to adequately instruct and follow-up the new converts. It is extremely important after one is saved that he faithfully study the Scriptures so he “may know” he is saved.

One who has sincerely received Christ need never doubt his salvation. The Bible assures us that we “are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:5). This is because God has “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

It seems that the word “know” is one of John’s favorites. He uses it no less than 177 times in his writings. He was not one to dwell on uncertainty—he dealt with facts. We need to do the same. We are not to wonder about our salvation, but believe and thank God for it. Martin Luther was asked one time if he “felt” that his sins were forgiven. “No,” he replied. “I don’t feel that they are forgiven. I know they are because God says so in His Word.”

God’s Word makes it clear that nothing other than the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for salvation. If anyone is to be saved, there is only one way: we must come to God through Christ, and receive salvation as a free gift. It is not what we do that saves us, but what Christ has done. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).

—Adapted from Living Confidently by J. Allen Blair.