How Can I Know?

 

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV).

 

Many times through the years I have been asked the question “How can I be sure that I am saved?” It is not uncommon for people to worry about whether or not they are saved. They wonder how they can know if they will actually have eternal life with Jesus. I fact, that may be one of the key proofs that one may have that the Holy Spirit is indeed working in their life.

 

The author of Hebrews reminds us in our reading today of God’s justice. And this passage is not saying that on the basis of our works we know we are saved. Rather, our work and the love that we have shown to God are the result of being saved already through the outpouring of his Spirit living in us—all because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. The only way for us to truly produce good works is through faith.

 

Jesus assures us of this truth in Matthew 7. He says that a good tree can only bear good fruit. He’s saying that the work that we do is not earning our salvation; it is evidence that we are already saved and that Jesus is living in us. Likewise, James 2:17 tells us, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

 

So, if you have wondered about your eternal life, remember, as the author of Hebrews says, “God is not unjust.” God sees and will remember the work that you do and the love you have shown him. If you have trusted in the source of eternal salvation—that is, Jesus Christ—your good work and the love that you show are the works of God himself through you.

 

If you wonder whether your work is enough, remember that salvation is not based on your work. It is based on the finished work of Jesus, our great High Priest. Continue in your journey of growth and be willing to do as He instructs you. That will produce a great harvest of good work!