What Does It Feel Like to Be Saved?
Can a person really know that they are saved? If you can know that you’re saved, how can you know it? Can you “feel” salvation, is that how you know you’re saved? If you CAN “feel” salvation, what does it feel like? In Acts chapter 8, there’s a story about an Ethiopian eunuch who was saved, and the scripture says in verse 39, that he “went on his way rejoicing”. Is that how we can know that we’re saved? By a feeling of rejoicing?
Philippians 4, verse 7 says; “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So then, is that how we know that we’re saved? By that unsurpassed peace that we feel in our heart and in our mind?
The apostle Paul wrote, in verse 11; “..for I have learned to be content, in whatever circumstances I am.” Is it that contentment then, that lets us know that we’re saved?
The apostle John wrote, in 1 John 5:14; “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” Maybe it’s that confident feeling that we have inside us, that serves as the proof, that we’re saved?
I guess there’s several “feelings” that we can have inside, that are all the result of salvation. But which one of them is the proof that we’re saved? Maybe it’s a combination of all those feelings. If we feel rejoicing in our hearts, and if we feel peace, and contentment, and confidence, then we know that we’re saved, right?
Wrong! Salvation isn’t something you can FEEL. But, salvation IS something that you can KNOW! And that knowledge, can make you feel all those things.
Jesus plainly said, in John 8:32; “You shall KNOW the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Jesus didn’t say; You shall “feel” the truth, He said; You shall KNOW the truth!
The apostle Peter wrote, in 2 Peter 1:3 & 4; “Grace and peace be multiplied to you, in the KNOWLEDGE of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Seeing that His divine power has granted to us, everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true KNOWLEDGE of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Grace and peace, comes to us through knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ. Everything, pertaining to life and godliness, is provided to us, through the TRUE knowledge of God. Where do you find the TRUE knowledge of God? In your innermost feelings? No, you can’t trust your feelings. The TRUE knowledge of God, only comes from the bible!
I imagine that there have been countless numbers of people, who have “felt” completely safe, right up until the very moment, that a deadly accident occurred. And on the other hand, there are people who “feel” deathly afraid, when they are as safe as anyone could possibly be. Why is that? Well, the reason is because neither safety, nor danger, is actually something that can be felt. The thing that actually makes someone “feel” either safe, or un-safe, is knowledge. A knowledge of your true circumstances is what makes you feel either safe, or un-safe.
When the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, I think they said there were over 3,000 people who were killed. But just a minute before that happened, how many people do you think “felt” like they were going to die? Did you ever hear a story from any of the survivors, telling how the could “feel” what was going to happen? NO, no one could “feel” the tragedy that was about to occur. If people could ahve only known, of the plan that was unfolding, that tragedy could have been avoided. Knowledge, could have saved a lot of people that day.
Another tragedy occurred almost two weeks ago, didn’t it? At a high school in Florida. Three teachers, and fourteen students killed. But no one could feel it coming. No one felt like that was going to be their last day of life. No one can “feel” that kind of thing. If they could have somehow KNOWN what was going to happen, they could have done something about it, but they couldn’t “feel” it!
Real life can teach us lessons. One lesson that we can learn from that tragedy in Florida, is that we don’t know what today might bring. Or what tomorrow might bring. It might bring another day of life, or it might not. Life teaches us that, in very graphic ways. But the bible has already taught us that! And the bible even uses it’s own graphic language.. “Your life is but a vapor! That appears for a little while, and then vanishes away.” James 4:14. That same verse says; “You don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow!” Did you ever try to catch a vapor, and hold onto it?
Verse 15 says; “If the Lord WILLS, we shall live, and also do this or that.” But yet we “feel” like we’ve got all the time in the world. A Roman governor named Felix once had the apostle Paul preach to him, and he said to Paul, in Acts 24:25; “Go away for now, If I find opportunity, I’ll call for you.” He must have thought he had all the time in the world.
That’s the attitude of people today. I don’t have time right now. I’m a little too busy for God. Another time maybe. That’s how people feel when it comes to learning about God, and all too often, that’s how WE feel about living for God.
In Luke chapter 12, Jesus told a parable about a certain man, who only lived for this world. And in verse 20, God said; “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you..” How foolish we are, to feel like we’ve got plenty of time, to live for God. How many days do YOU have left?
The bible teaches that there’s no guarantee of tomorrow, and life simply confirms that fact.
Another lesson that we can learn from the Florida tragedy, concerns knowledge. If they only would have had knowledge about what was going to happen, right? Well, if you’ve been listening to all the new reports, they actually did have some knowledge about it. they had a lot of knowledge about it! But all the debate over guns, is overshadowing the issue of the knowledge that was available. You’ve probably heard about how the shooter had posted on social media, his plan to conduct a school shooting. And you’ve probably also heard about all his violent behavior dating back at least a couple of years. And you’ve probably heard about the FBI failing to respond to a warning about the shooter. And you’ve probably heard about how many times the sheriff’s department was called out to his house, with claims of violence.
That’s a lot of knowledge! And what was done with all that knowledge? Nothing! And what do the vast majority of people do with all the knowledge that God gives us? Nothing, that’s what they do.
For example; Jesus gives us this knowledge, in John 5:28 & 29; “..For an hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth. Those who did good, to a resurrection of life. those who did evil, to a resurrection of condemnation.”
And how about this knowledge? 2 Thessalonians 1:7 & 8; “..the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who know not God, and to those who do not OBEY, the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
What are you going to do with that knowledge? What about this little bit of knowledge, from Revelation 21, verse 8; “But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
And how ’bout this knowledge; 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10; “..Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” Do you know anyone guilty of any of those things? In spite of all this knowledge, people continue to live according to ALL of those things mentioned, thereby guarantying, eternal condemnation. Our society is full of people living like that isn’t it? God has given us the knowledge of all these things, but yet people are still too busy for God.
Are you saved right now? How do you know if you are? You can’t “feel” it, no one can! You can’t “feel” your spirit, so how you gonna “feel” if your spirit is saved? If you’re saved, you will KNOW it! Listen to these verses.. this is knowledge! …
1 John 2, verses 3 thru 6; “And by this, we KNOW that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, I have come to know Him, and does NOT keep His commandments, is a liar (are there gonna be any liars in heaven?) and the truth is not in him. But, whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By THIS, we KNOW that we are IN HIM.” If you’re truly IN HIM, then you’re saved, and you know it! “The one who says he abides in Him, ought himself to walk, in the same manner as He walked.” That’s how you know if you’re “in Him”.
1 John 5:13 says; “I have written these things to you, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.” But here’s the scary part. If you do not “walk in the same manner as he walked”, and follow ALL that has been written, then you will KNOW, that you do NOT have eternal life. It’s not a feeling that you’ll have, it’s a fact that you will KNOW. Here’s what the bible calls it in Hebrews 10, verse 26; “..a CERTAIN terrifying expectation of judgment (it’s not a feeling, it’s what you know to expect!) ..and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”
Let’s pray that we can all say; I KNOW that I’m saved, because I’ve done everything that God has told me to do, in order to BE saved! And I’m continuing to do it!
I’ve heard the word, and I’ve believed the word. (Romans 10:17). I’ve repented of my sins (Luke 13:3), and I’ve confessed my faith in Jesus Christ. (Mathew 10:32-33). And I’ve been buried with Him in baptism, and God has washed away my sins. And I know He has, because He said He would! (Romans 6:4 & Acts 22:16). And I am in the process, of remaining faithful unto death. (Revelation 2:10).
If you’re not sure if you’re saved, then BE sure today. And if you have been saved, but you have fallen away, then please know this; “If you confess your sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive your sins, and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1, verse 9.
God invites you to KNOW salvation, through faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, and to His word.
