I think I am saved, but how do I really know for sure?

Huldah's answer:

Several years ago, I was told that to be saved I needed to pray for God to forgive me and ask Jesus into my heart. I did that, but I didn't think too much about it right away. However, GOD thought MUCH of it and I wasn't getting off that easy. When I finally picked up my Bible and started to read it alone in my room, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. In the pages, it was if I was holding up a mirror, and God was showing me that I had sinned against Him in ways that I hadn't considered. It brought me down low. I realized just how wretched I really was. This time, I got on my knees and asked Him with deep regret to forgive me. And forgive me He did! I felt a burden lifted off of me that was indescribable. I could actually feel His forgiveness.

At the same time I had been suffering with a painful illness that I was told I would have to live with for the rest of my life. One morning, I woke up, got down on my knees, and told God that there was no way I was going to be able to serve my family when I could hardly get out of bed because of the pain. Just then I heard a voice say "Throw your pills away." I did, and I have never taken another since. Over the course of a few months my pain was completely gone.

In addition, all my life since childhood, I had bad dreams several nights a week, always something chasing me that I could never see. Finally one night the dream was so frightening, I woke up in a sweat. I cried out to God and told Him I couldn't take these dreams any more...then they vanished.
God was showing me at every turn that I was truly His and that He loved me.

Today, I no longer struggle with doubt about salvation and here is why...

First, God says He disciplines those that He loves. Heb 12:6 "FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."

When I do sin, the Holy Spirit convicts me. It's like a burning in my bosom, but I know it is for my own good.

Second, God teaches me so many things in the Bible that I could not ever have figured out on my own. I'm not talking about good preaching/teaching on Sunday, though it has its benefits. I mean He teaches me the Bible when I read it with Him alone. Every time I read a Book in the Bible a second, third, or more times, He is faithful to show me something new EVERY time. Getting alone with Him is when He speaks the loudest to me.

Third, He has taken away a lot of the sinful desires I used to have and replaced them with desires that align with His. I no longer take pleasure in the sins I used to commit for fun. I get more enjoyment now running my own Bible study and a Christian Help website, not to mention I am a much better wife and mother than before I was saved.

Finally, God uses me to lead others to Christ, and I love every minute of it. People are hungry to know God, yet so many are so very far from any kind of joy in their lives.

Walking with the Lord is not always easy, and sometimes it is quite hard, however, what baby doesn't struggle to stand, or fall and get hurt sometimes?

One thing I am sure of is this:

Rom 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you really want assurance of your salvation, let nothing come between you and your alone time with the Lord. He will, over time, show you Himself, that you are His...forever.

Maidservant Huldah

Tongue-Tied Testimony

Hello,

Recently I gave my life to Christ and I am learning a lot from my bible. I now take my bible to work and read it on my breaks. Two people have taken notice of it on my desk, and they ask questions about my faith. For some reason I get tongue-tied when it comes up. I know I'm supposed to be open about my faith, but it's a lot harder than I thought it would be. 
Thanks for taking my letter.

Dave S.

**********

Hello Dave,

Thanks for writing in, especially about a subject that hits home with many of us Christians. The scriptures say:

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you...1Peter 3:15

That being said, you can only give what you know, however, the more you know, the more you can give!
When we start off as "baby" Christians, we have faith (without seeing), and believe (place our trust in), yet we don't have a full grasp on"why". This makes it difficult for new believers to obey the command in 1Peter 3:15.

Notice he says, "Be ready". No infant born is ready to walk or talk. God understands this, so for new believers it can be interpreted, "Get ready".

Your first duty is to keep reading the scriptures and ask God to teach you Himself. You'll be amazed at how much He teaches you and how quickly! It is His ultimate desire to get you ready. Over time you will see your testimony evolve and get even better than when you first began.

Now, where does that leave you with your co-workers who are asking you now? The only thing you can do then is to share what you know. You may or may not be able to recite scriptures yet, but you can share your testimony.

1. How has Christ changed you?
2. What convinced you to turn from the path you were on?
3. Why do you read the Bible?

Any of this you can share with your co-workers. Prayerfully ask God to help you use the tools that you have now to share with others.

Just be yourself Dave, and simply "share what you know."

May God bless you Dave, and welcome brother in Christ!

Maidservant Huldah