Is it possible for a person to know of a certainty, they are saved?

To be unaware of the possibility of having a home in heaven is to be unmoored and adrift from the dock of salvation. In order to be assured of Heaven one must be in possession of eternal life. Without eternal life, it is impossible to live in Heaven forever. 

Do you have eternal life? Are you sure? If you don’t have eternal life, what is the alternative? There is no alternative to eternal life. Every human being has eternal life, the concern must be; where will an individual spend eternal life? Everyone will live forever, just because the body dies does not mean the soul dies with it. The soul goes on living, but it will go to either one of two places. 1. To Heaven or 2. To Hell. To go to heaven is to spend eternity there in absolute bliss. To go to hell is to spend eternity there in unending torment! No one ever goes to heaven and then is transferred to hell, likewise, no one goes to hell and later can be transferred to heaven or to any other place. Both are forever.

Two questions will be posed. 1. How does a person obtain Salvation? 2. How does a person lose salvation? Is such a loss possible? What is the answer? 

How does a person obtain salvation: If I share only one verse from the bible that literally came from the lips of Jesus, and clearly states the true issue of salvation, would you believe the statement?  Alright, let’s examine the statement. John 6:47. Verily, verily, I say unto YOU, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Pretty straightforward and unambiguous! Yes, indeed. This clear verse can be trusted, if you believe the words that came from his holy mouth. He again spoke with no ambiguity in reply to the question posed in John 6:28, just a few verses before John 6:47. Then, said they to him, what must we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus immediately replied with absolute clarity in verse 29, this is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he hath sent. Again, all that comes from his lips is authentic and absolutely true and he stated the truth in vs 28, and 47. The words are identical. Believe, Believe. Believe on him vs 29, believe on me vs.47. If someone only knew to turn to these verses, yes, either one and read, understood and then believed either of them. What would be the outcome? The outcome in vs 28 and vs 47 is the same, to believe on him is to have eternal life. He that believeth not is clearly condemned. Notice the life and the condemnation in John 3:18, He that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already BECAUSE he hath not Believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. Let’s take a quick look at another clear verse that is recorded in John 10:28-29, And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. How could anyone ever contemplate plucking someone out of the hand of an omnipotent God? How is such a blasphemous thought possible? It is not!

After reading this powerful and clear statement about the security of the soul, some continue to doubt it. When I first read this verse in 1961 my heart swelled with confidence as these powerful words cascaded from the lips of Jesus Christ, personally. I was fully assured and totally believed that no human has the power to take from God that which he holds in his hand. I had believed in Christ a few days earlier and was thrilled to learn, I would never perish, no one could pluck me out of the hand of Jesus and no one is able to pluck anyone out of the Father’s hand. I needed the strong assurance that came from these living words. I thought… I have believed in Christ, totally and completely, and have been GIVEN eternal life.

Jesus clearly stated, and I give (it is a gift and a gift cannot be called a gift if any kind of payment could be made for it) … And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall NEVER perish. The giver of this eternal life stated in no uncertain terms, and they (that’s me) shall never perish, (that’s now and forever) neither shall any man, man here must include all men who may threaten this eternal life, I am a man, it must include me also.

Even more certainty follows in Vs 29, my father which gave them me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck then out of my father’s hand. I trembled as these powerful words coursed through my tender soul. Let’s slowly contemplate this blessed word! And I give, the source is Jesus, he is and always has been the giver! What does a giver do? He gives! And I give unto them (that’s you and me) ETERNAL LIFE. Eternal life, not temporary life, because temporary life can end. Eternal life does not end… it goes on forever and ever. This eternal life from Jesus, was not given because of human effort, good behavior or the best performance from weak and helpless humans. Therefore, it cannot be lost by any kind of human behavior whether good or bad. What we do whether good or bad cannot alter what he has done perfectly and completely in Jesus. Otherwise, our standing could never be more secure than our feeble and vacillating human efforts. 

You may be thinking, oh, it can’t be that simple! Then, how complicated must the issue of salvation be? The simplicity of truly believing in him has already become a quagmire of controversy and unbelief when in fact the simple and clear statements in the above verses stand out like blasting trumpets and yet remain simple. Let me share with you a few simple incidents from the Old Testament and some from the new. Adam was given, by God, a covering of skin and the blood that was shed by innocent animals to be the representative atonement that would later be reality when Jesus actually became the atoning sacrifice on Calvary’s tree. What God did for Adam was simple. God showed he was the provider of salvation and his work could be trusted. 

Abraham simply believed God and that was enough! He is called the father of faith because he simply believed God. Abraham believed and it was credited to his account as perfect righteousness. Abraham believed God would bring back Isaac from the dead even though he was to be sacrificed on a mountain alter. Hebrews 11:19, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

 Rather than sacrificing Isaac, a ram was provided by God, as a substitute in his stead. A beautiful picture of the substitutionary work of Jesus on the cross is clearly indicated here. 

The incident in the wilderness where a serpent of brass was lifted up before the people so that anyone who simply looked at the brazen serpent would live. And everyone that is bitten, when he looks upon it shall live. Numbers 21:8-9, if a serpent had bitten any one, when he simply beheld the serpent of brass he lived. How simple and how gracious. There are many types and shadows illustrative of the truth delineated in the New Testament to simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains 135 verses that clearly state believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. The thief on the cross hanging next to Jesus was facing death and separation from God in a fiery hell but then there was Jesus, suffering, bleeding, and dying himself. This condemned thief looked at Jesus and saw the incredible injustice that was occurring in crucifying a completely innocent person. This was his final moment and what did he do? He believed Jesus was the son of God, simply lifted his head, beheld him and believed in him in a moment of time. What was the immediate response from Jesus who was in agonizing pain with certain death at the door. 

Jesus acknowledged this desperate plea which has been recorded in the word of God for centuries by stating in no uncertain terms…THIS DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. In seconds, this desperate thief, now a believer in Jesus, would realize the truthfulness of these words of life and would be in paradise. Remember me when you come into your kingdom; that was enough no pleading, no agonizing, no promises he couldn’t keep. He simply looked at Jesus and believed in him. 

NOW

What was the immediate response? This day you shall be (not might be) but you shall be with me in paradise. There is no difference here in looking to the brass serpent and living and a lost sinner looking to Jesus in a moment of time and living forever. There is No difference in the incident of the Philippian Jailer who asked Paul, Sirs what must I do to be saved? The answer was immediate, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

The result is always the same, you must believe in him and if you do, he will do what he said he would do and that is save your eternal soul, it will be immediate and it will last throughout life and all of eternity. This is what occurs when anyone simply places total trust in Jesus Christ. The unbeliever fully believes and Jesus fully saves. If this statement is not true, then Jesus was wrong when he stated in John 6:47, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. If this statement is not true then Jesus is not God because God cannot lie.

I submit to the reader, believing totally in Christ is all I have done to appropriate salvation and I assure you, I am on my way to heaven. It is this simple and unsurpassed truth that gives eternal life and that absolute truth is, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Jailer, what Jesus told the Galileans, what Peter told the Gentile seekers and what is conveyed by 150 New Testament verses that state the identical thing. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. It is not a flimsy statement that you might be saved, it is clear and it is certain…you will be saved.   

Fifteen New Testament verses of scripture contain equivalents to these 135 verses with the wording receive, call on or other equivalents. A total of 150 verses can be read, trusted, memorized and claimed. If you are thinking it can’t be that simple, I ask, just how complicated should it be? To this I say, I wouldn’t give a fig for the simplicity on the near side of complexity, but I’d give my right arm for the simplicity on the far side of complexity. In other words, don’t tell me something is simple, just because you understand it, you have gone to complexity from simplicity and now you understand it really is simple, it only appeared complex on first hearing but now that you understand, it really is simple. This statement appears complex only because it is worded in such a way that makes it appear complex, when it is not. The word of God makes declarative statements and these statements are presented to give clarity and understanding to the reader and not to frame clear statements in fuzziness or ambiguity.

Our yeses should be yes and our no’s should be no’s! A fish is a fish and not a tree. A tree is a tree and not a fish. Neither can be the other and neither can be what they are not. They are what they are and will always be…their names may be changed but a different definition does not make a new creation.

When clear statements concerning salvation are presented from the ultimate source of truth (Jesus) those statements are words of truth that can be believed. If someone scoffs at this source of truth, then they do so to their own condemnation. Truth is truth, Jesus is truth. If you do not believe Jesus is truth you are a lost and unbelieving fool. Psalm 14:1, and Psalm 53:1, The fool has said in his own heart there is no God. God answers here by stating, this statement comes from those who are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity.

This reminds me of the clear statement in John 3:18, He that believeth on HIM is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the ONLY begotten Son of God. If you read the word of God with a desire to know truth, you will be reading truth in declarative statements. You are free to scoff, doubt, and disbelieve but you do so at your own peril and damnation. Examine this small portion of God’s word, Psalm 68:11, the Lord gave the word, (the ultimate source), John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth.

I submit to the reader; I have reached as high as I know to reach to obtain objective truth concerning God’s so great salvation. This holy truth stands against every opposing force that seeks to defile its very foundation and no one has been successful in invalidating or overturning this holy and inexhaustible word.

Please take note, there is no word here concerning, clean up your life, forsake you sins and then come to Jesus. Why? Does God not want your good behavior; of course, good behavior should be performed by every believer in Christ. However, the very best behavior from an individual who has never believed on Christ is classified by God as filthy rags and can be no part of his perfect plan of salvation, which is centered exclusively in the perfect righteousness of Christ. This perfection that will take you all the way to heaven at death can only be appropriated by faith in him and not by performance from you. 

If you are uncertain about where you will spend eternity there is a ready reference that will change your life and the outlook you have about your eternal destiny. Let’s pretend for a few moments you hear an audible voice that declares…I am God, listen to my words! You do not doubt that this is God because your soul is struck with such truth and force that it is undeniable.

Perhaps, for the first time in your life you are ready to listen. What will he say? Turn to 1 John 5:11-13. And this is the record that God hath given to us (that’s me) eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

The words that could have been expressed audibly are no more authoritative or powerful than the words that are written here; because these words are the words of God and were sent through the Apostle John by means of inspiration. There is no difference in audible words spoken by God or angels that are more authoritative than the words recorded here in 1 John 5:11-13. You can believe them because they are from God and he wants you to know the depth of truth that was recorded by the Apostle John. Can you know you are going to heaven by simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, you can, it is declared here in God’s written word and can be believed because it is from the very mind of our living God.

God could have said it audibly but didn’t, because he wanted it to be available in a written record, we rightly call this record the Bible. 1 John 5:11, And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life IS IN HIS SON. Wonderful, powerful and absolute truth. You must stop, look and listen to a power outside of you so that you are not looking at the wrong source for acceptance and entrance into Heaven.

You are not the way to Heaven, Jesus it the only way. I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to Heaven, but by me. John 14:6, Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given whereby we must be saved. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men…the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5. This is truth because it comes from the source of truth and this truth is from the original author of truth…God himself! You can trust him; you can believe him because his very character stands behind his word! His word indeed is truth. 

I have attempted to write here, in simple and summary form, only a minuscule portion of truth from scripture. Of the 150 verses which address salvation in Christ I have only referenced a few. To expand fully on portions of the 150 verses that address salvation in Christ would require more space than is allotted in this message. The essence of what I wish to convey is…if you have totally believed in Jesus Christ as personal Savior, you may know of a certainty that he has saved you. 

Your responsibility was to come to him…his responsibility is to Save you when you trust in him. You call, he answers, you believe, he saves. Yes, it is that simple…. Please do not complicate what he has made simple. Acts 16:38, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:13, For whosoever (that’s you) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

Suppose you list all the good you have performed in your entire life. How will it look. Yes, the good will be good but it will fall short of perfection. All of your good, your very best, has been defined by God and is termed, filthy rags. Isa 64:6, But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags and we all do fade as a leaf and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away. There is none righteous, no not one. This is God’s truth, believe it and cast all of you concern and care on him…he will hear you and he will most certainly save you!

We have nothing to offer God that will cause his heart to soften or become more willing to save sinful humanity. His heart is already mollified by the sacrificial death of his son on the cross, where he became sin for us and purchased in full, our redemption.

Believe on Him and you will immediately possess eternal life. This is what he declares in Acts 16:31 What have you got to lose? Your doubts, your uncertainty, your lostness, and your damnation. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved! This salvation invitation came from the lips of the apostle Paul, who received it from our immutable and Loving God. Stop, look and listen to his invitation, it is just for you! Why not NOW, in the quietness of your own soul? 

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Shall be Saved. Romans 10:13