The Urgency of Salvation: Knowing Your Condition
Before we even ask, “How can I know that I am saved? How can I be sure?” we must first ask ourselves, Why do I need to be saved?
Salvation begins with a recognition of our condition. The Bible teaches that we are born spiritually dead, separated from God by our sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). We are not born in the image of God as we were originally intended, but in the image of Adam—the first man who sinned, resulting in the spiritual death of all humanity (Romans 5:12).
Genesis 5:3 makes this clear: “When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.” Just as Adam was made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26), after his fall, his descendants were born in his image—not the perfect image of God, but the fallen image of Adam. This means we are born into a state of spiritual death, separated from God, with a need for salvation.
This spiritual death is the root of our separation from God. It’s not just a distant concept, but a reality that affects every part of our lives.
Until we realize the weight of this separation, we don’t fully understand the urgency of salvation. We are born into a condition of lostness, unable to save ourselves, and desperately in need of God’s intervention.
When you come to terms with the fact that you are spiritually dead without God, there is a deep ache in your heart. The realization that you’re empty, lost, and unable to fill the void within you on your own drives you to seek answers. This aching leads to a profound search for God, for meaning, and for salvation.
It’s in that search that the gospel message becomes alive. Jesus Christ—through His death and resurrection—offers a way out of this emptiness. He came to fill the God-shaped vacuum in your life, to bring you from spiritual death to eternal life. This is why salvation is urgent.
The Assurance of Salvation
If you’re asking God, “How can I know that I am saved? How can I be sure?” you’re not alone. I’ve asked the same question, too. And in answering it, we must look to what God has revealed in His Word.
The apostle John wrote something that is meant to give us confidence in our salvation. He said, “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.” (1 John 5:13).
Notice the emphasis here: “that you may know”. God wants us to have the assurance that we are saved. He doesn’t want us to live in doubt or fear about our eternal destiny. But how can we be sure?
The first thing to understand is that salvation isn’t based on our feelings or experiences alone. It’s rooted in what God says in His Word. The Bible is clear: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not something we can earn; it is a gift from God. But how can we be sure that we’ve truly received that gift?
Let’s break it down:
1. Do You Believe in Jesus Christ?
Salvation begins with faith in Jesus Christ—believing that He is who He said He is and that He did what He said He did. Jesus came to save us from our sins. He died on the cross for us and rose again to offer us new life.
In John 3:16, Jesus Himself said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
If you truly believe in Jesus—who He is and what He did—you can be assured of your salvation. It’s not about how you feel, but about trusting in the truth of God’s Word.
2. Have You Accepted Jesus as Your Savior?
This is the next step. It’s not just about believing that Jesus exists or that He was a good man. It’s about accepting Jesus as your Savior and Lord. It’s about confessing that you are a sinner in need of His forgiveness and accepting the gift of salvation He offers.
Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The key word here is believe—but it’s not just mental assent; it’s a heart-level conviction that leads to action. You accept Jesus, not just as a concept, but as your Savior and Lord.
3. Do You See the Evidence of Transformation in Your Life?
Salvation isn’t just about what happened at a moment in time—it’s about what continues to happen in your life after that. The Bible says that when we are saved, we are born again (John 3:3). That means there should be evidence of transformation in our lives.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:16-20, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” Salvation should bring about a change in how we live, how we think, and how we treat others.
Do you see a change in your desires, in your heart, in the way you approach life? While we will never be perfect this side of heaven, the Holy Spirit works in us, giving us the power to grow in holiness and love. This growth, or transformation, is one of the ways we can know we are saved.
4. The Assurance of the Holy Spirit
Another sign that you can be sure of your salvation is the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. When we accept Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us, empowering us to live the Christian life.
Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” The Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts that we belong to God. He guides us, convicts us of sin, and comforts us when we face trials.
When you feel the Holy Spirit working in your life—convicting, teaching, comforting—that is a sign that you are saved and secure in your relationship with God.
5. God’s Promises are True
Lastly, we can be sure of our salvation because of the promises God makes in His Word. God is faithful, and He keeps His promises. Jesus promised eternal life to all who believe in Him (John 6:47). And in 1 John 5:13, we are told we can know we have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
You are saved not because of anything you have done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. He offers eternal life freely to all who will believe, and He is faithful to fulfill His promise.
In Conclusion
Salvation begins with recognizing the urgency of your need for God and understanding your condition. When you grasp that you are spiritually dead and separated from God, the search for salvation becomes real. Then, when you trust in Jesus, accept Him as your Savior, and see the evidence of transformation in your life, you can be sure of your salvation.
You can know that you are saved, not because of what you have done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. He is faithful to keep His promises, and the presence of the Holy Spirit confirms that you belong to Him.
Listen to these Grace Coach Podcasts
You Can Not Lose Your Salvation
Romans 5:1-11 – Salvation Defined
Romans 5:12-21 – Saved By His Resurrected Life
Help Us Tell The Whole World – Make a Donation to Grace Coach
