7.  HOW TO KNOW FOR SURE!

IF I TRUST CHRIST  AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR, WHAT  WILL HAPPEN INSIDE 
ME TO TELL ME THAT I AM SAVED? 
    If you  mean some mysterious feeling  or emotional experience, 
then it is quite probable that nothing like that will occur. 

HOW THEN WILL I KNOW THAT I AM SAVED?
    In  a  very  simple  way.   God  says  that He saves those who 
believe  on the Lord Jesus.  Whenever  you believe on Him, you can 
know that you are saved because God says so.  1 John 5:10-12.

YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT I MAY NOT FEEL IT IN MY BODY?
    That  is correct.   The real  act of  salvation takes place in 
heaven.   That is where the fact  is recorded.  When God sees your 
faith, He justifies you.

BUT SHOULDN'T A PERSON FEEL DIFFERENT WHEN HE IS SAVED?
    Certainly, he  should, but feelings  are not the  proof of his 
salvation.  A person will not really feel happy until he  knows he 
is saved.  The order is this:
    Salvation through faith in Christ.
    Assurance through the promise of God.
    Joy because of this assurance.

THEN A PERSON KNOWS HE IS SAVED THROUGH THE PROMISES OF GOD IN THE 
BIBLE?
    That is  the first and  foremost way by  which he knows  he is 
saved.  1 John 5:13.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT FEELINGS ARE NOT A DEPENDABLE GUIDE?
    The trouble with feelings is that they are so changeable.  One 
day a person may feel he is saved and the next he may not.
    The Word  of God never varies.  How much better, then, to have 
our assurance of salvation based upon the Word of God.

IS THE BIBLE THE ONLY WAY BY WHICH WE CAN KNOW WE ARE SAVED?
    No, there are several others.
         1.  A love for our fellow Christians.  1 John 3:14.
         2.  A new love for holiness.  Romans 7:22
         3.  A new hatred of sins.  Romans 7:24.
         4.  A steadfast continuance in the faith.  1 John 2:19.  
         5.  The  witness of  the indwelling  Holy Spirit.  Romans 
             8:14,16. 

MAY A PERSON BE SAVED AND NOT KNOW IT?
    It is possible  that a person may really  have been born again 
and  yet not  know it,  either because  of inadequate  teaching or 
because of doubts place in his mind by Satan. 

MAY A PERSON THINK HE IS SAVED AND YET NOT BE?
    Certainly,  many  think  they  are   saved  because  of  their 
character  or  works,  but  they  are  not  saved at all.  Matthew 
7:22,23. 

IS IT NECESSARY TO KNOW THE DAY AND HOUR OF ONE'S CONVERSION?
    No,  it is not.   Many people have  such a distinct experience 
that  they  can  tell  the  exact  time and place.  Others may not 
remember when they first trusted the  Savior.  The important thing 
is  to be  able to  say, "I  know I  am saved right now because my 
faith and trust are in the Lord Jesus Christ alone."

DO MOST CHRISTIANS HAVE  DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR SALVATION AT  ONE TIME 
OR ANOTHER?
    Most Christians  are probably subjected to Satanic doubts some 
time after their conversion.

WHAT SHOULD ONE DO WHEN HE IS PLAGUED WITH DOUBTS?
    The  best  thing  to  do  is  to quote Scripture to answer the 
doubts.  When Satan insinuates that the believer is not saved, the 
latter  should  quote  Gospel  promises,  such as John 5:24, which 
assure  salvation to all  who receive the  Lord Jesus. Just as the 
Lord  used  the  Word  to  repel  the  temptations of Satan in the 
wilderness, so we should use the Bible to drive  away his doubting 
lies.  Matthew 4:4,7,10.

IF I AM NOT SURE WHETHER  I HAVE EVER REALLY ACCEPTED CHRIST, WHAT 
SHOULD I DO?
    You should get it settled right now by saying form your heart, 
"Lord, if I have never trusted Thee before, I here and now receive 
Thee as my only Lord and Savior."

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