I John 4: 14-15 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
How can you know that you are saved? It seems like things are changing so much in the world. Things that people counted on as true are being torn down. Blame and guilt are being tossed around like firebombs. A person who doesn’t respond with aggression, may well respond with depression. One could easily question everything and even doubt the substance of the Gospel.
So, how can you know that you are saved? This isn’t just an exercise in religious knowledge, a sort of easy slam dunk for those who confess the Gospel. It is a real question that helps us to sift out the encroachment of pride and self righteous attitudes. If these are allowed to continue in our hearts, we are actually weaker. We are more susceptible to doubt.
God’s Word says something amazing about how you can know that you are saved. I John 4:15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” What does this mean?
First of all, a confession isn’t just a statement of fact. A confession is an “I believe” statement of faith. To confess that Jesus is the Son of God is to confess everything that God tells us about Jesus in the Holy Bible. Jesus, true God and true Man, came into the world to save us. He died on the cross, rose from the grave, and will come again to judge the living and the dead. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved! Whoever does not believe will be condemned. This is the Christian faith.
And it is important to remember that this faithful confession is itself a gift of God.
Do you remember the meaning of the 3rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed which teaches the work of God the Holy Spirit. There we are taught of the truths of God’s Word when we confess, “I believe that I cannot of my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him, but, the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” We believe because God, rich in Grace, has given us faith!
So, how are you saved? You are saved by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus. You are saved because God has created a new heart in you and given you faith. Therefore it is clearly true and joyfully true that, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”
Amidst all the changes and uncertainty of this life, nothing shall change this eternal work of God. As it is written in Isaiah 43:1 ““Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Let us pray, I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me the miracle of faith and allowing me to confess that you are the Son of God. I praise you for abiding in me, and overcoming, day after day, all the powers of the evil one, forgiving my sins and strengthening me in the life of faith. Help me to find comfort each day in this great joy and blessing. Bless us, your church, as we bring the gift of this message to all nations. I ask this in your name. AMEN