Can We Know For Sure?

Author: Michael Gott

You will hear different answers from various people about the subject “Can we know we have eternal life?” Yet Jesus said, “I now give them eternal life.” Not someday—but now. Jesus gives it to us; so, yes, we can have assurance. Therefore, I can say with confidence, “I know I have eternal life.”

It is not presumptuous for any believer to say that I am sure I am God's child and will one day be in heaven. In fact, it is possible to humbly say, “I am just as sure that I will be there as I am sure Jesus Christ will be there!”

Now, of course, if I were depending on my merit or on my doing, if I had some part in it; then, for sure it would be presumption and pride. But if salvation is a gift, and it is God's doing based on what Jesus did for me, then it is honoring to God to have confidence in His promise. My boasting is all about Him. Paul wrote these words,

What can we boast about doing to earn our salvation? Nothing at all. Why? Because our acquittal is not based on our good deeds; it is based on what Christ has done and our faith in Him. So it is that we are saved by faith in Christ and not by the good things we do. Romans 3:27-28

Eternal life and forgiveness involve absolutely no merit on our part; all is of God. Forgiveness, eternal life, and salvation are His unmerited gifts to those who humbly come to Jesus.

But make sure that you have actually welcomed Him into your life. If you have any doubt you are a Christian, settle it now. How? By praying and asking for salvation. Here is a prayer to help you:

Dear God, I know I have sinned, and I want to be forgiven. I am sorry in my heart, and I sincerely want to turn my back on life without You. I now open the door of my life to Jesus. I want Him to be my Savior, and I want to confess Him as my Lord. From this time onward I desire to live for Him and to obey Him. In the name of Jesus who died and is now alive, Amen.

How wonderful to pray that prayer—but let me also balance everything with a warning. Do not mistake certainty and confidence with feelings. Salvation is based on promise not on our emotional ups and downs. Don't make that very serious mistake; rather, simply believe what God said. How powerful it is to take Him at His word and believe His promise. Throughout the New Testament we are constantly told that the one who receives Christ as Savior also receives forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.

Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus . . .   Ephesians 2:8-10

Can We Know for Sure?

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