Claudia asks about assurance of salvation:
As adults and new believers, my husband and I are trying to learn to be Christians. We found a good church (______ Bible Church) and we are starting to get involved, but how do we live our daily life for Christ? Also, we often have doubts that we have actually believed. What does it feel like? We both struggle with doubt that we believed correctly and just the lack of faith that everything in Christianity is true. I do not want to be eternally separated from God, but I still struggle with the “what ifs” and “I’m unsure.” I know this is a longer question than others on the program, but just a reply to the email to help guide us would be much appreciated. I feel we missed out on what children in church are so blessed with. The elementary kids at the church know more than we do about being Christians.
We get lots of questions from people who have been influenced by modern Evangelical theological confusion about faith in Christ. This email does not give any theological concerns. Claudia just seems to wonder where assurance comes in.
It is great to want to learn how to live your daily life for Christ. But that starts with certainty that you are His forever. If you doubt you are secure in His love, then you cannot live for Him.
Being a new believer is a great thing, for there is so little to unlearn. From what you say, you and your husband may not be believers yet. Believers are those who have come to faith in Christ for everlasting life. By your question, you are dealing with doubts.
Keep in mind that believing in Jesus is not belief that He existed, belief that He died on the cross for our sins, belief that He rose bodily from the dead, or even belief that He is coming again. In verses like John 3:16; 5:24; 6:35, 47; 11:25-27, to “believe in Him” means to believe His promise that whoever believes in Him for everlasting life has everlasting life.
Until you are convinced that you are eternally secure, based simply on faith in Christ, you will lack assurance of everlasting life. But it is so simple. Read John 3:16 prayerfully. What does Jesus promise? “Shall never perish and has everlasting life.” And to whom does He promise that? “Whoever believes in Him.”
You are in a solid Bible church. You will get plenty of confirmation that the promise of everlasting life is true. Once you see it for yourself, you will be a believer. You may have believed and become confused. But, either way, you need to be sure. I am praying that you become sure.
