Many Christians struggle with doubts and questions about their salvation. They may wonder if they are truly saved or if they have done enough to earn God’s grace. While it’s normal to have some doubts occasionally, ongoing questioning of one’s salvation can lead to anxiety, fear, and a lack of assurance. The Bible offers guidance on how to find confidence in your salvation and stop constantly second-guessing it.
Remember that salvation is by grace through faith, not works
The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by God’s grace, not by our own good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). No one can earn salvation – it is the free gift of God to all who put their faith in Christ. Good works and obedience have their place, but they flow out of salvation; they do not secure it. If you have sincerely repented and believed in Jesus as your Savior, you can be confident in your salvation, regardless of how good or bad you feel your works are.
Focus on what Jesus did, not your feelings
Our feelings go up and down. We may feel close to God one day and distant from him the next. But feelings are not the true measure of salvation. What matters is trusting in Christ and what He accomplished for us. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). Salvation depends on Christ’s work, not ours. So you can have full assurance of salvation even when your emotions are telling you otherwise (Hebrews 6:17-20).
Remember God’s promises and provisions
God has made many promises that provide security for believers. He has promised to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless before His glory with great joy (Jude 1:24). He has promised to complete the work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). And He has given us His Spirit to confirm we are His children (Romans 8:15-16). When you feel uncertain, claim these promises. Ask the Holy Spirit to reassure you of your salvation.
Renew your mind with Scripture
Combat doubt by memorizing and meditating on Scriptures about salvation assurance: John 10:28-29, 1 John 5:13, Ephesians 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5. Feed your faith with the truth. Satan wants you to feel insecure, but God’s Word says you can know you have eternal life.
Examine the fruits of faith in your life
While works don’t earn salvation, they give evidence of true saving faith. Reflect on your life since believing in Jesus. Do you see spiritual growth and fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Is there increasing victory over sin? Do you have a new heart desire to obey and serve God? These are signs of salvation to give you confidence (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Confess any known sin in your life
Doubt can set in when we tolerate sin. Examine your heart for any disobedience or compromise with the world. Confess your sins to God and repent. Cleansing yourself of moral defilement can help you regain assurance (1 John 1:9).
Rely on Jesus, not your feelings
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you rely on Christ alone for your salvation – not on your emotions. Feelings come and go, but God’s Word endure forever. Let Scripture’s assurances of salvation be an anchor for your soul when doubts arise. Trust that the Holy Spirit has sealed you for eternity (Ephesians 1:13).
Remember that some doubt is normal
Even long-time believers can sometimes struggle with doubt. Thomas doubted until he saw Jesus face-to-face (John 20:24-29). Famous Christian author C.S. Lewis struggled with assurance his whole life. Having some questions and doubts at times does not mean you are not saved. The key is not to let them fester.
Talk with a pastor or mature Christian
Other believers can help you gain perspective when you are doubting. A pastor can answer your questions about salvation and provide biblical counsel. Or talk with a mature Christian friend who can help you remember God’s faithfulness in your life. Getting guidance from the wise can steady your faith (Proverbs 11:14).
Trust that God will complete His work in you
If God has begun a saving work in you, He promises to bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Lifelong salvation is secure because it depends fully on God’s faithfulness, not ours. He offers salvation by grace as a gift. When doubts arise, trust that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
Keep seeking and pursuing Jesus
Make sure you have an ongoing relationship with Jesus – not just a past decision. Keep seeking Him through prayer, Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and obedience. Ask Him to help your unbelief (Mark 9:24). Talk to Him honestly about your struggles and doubts. Pursuing closeness with Jesus is the best way to grow in assurance of salvation.
Focus on who God is, not who you are
Our feelings of savedness can fluctuate based on how we view ourselves. But turn your focus to how great and faithful God is, not how worthy you feel. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,” says Psalm 56:3. God is 100% faithful even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13). Rest in His trustworthy character rather than your own instability.
Ask God to renew your mind and give you assurance
Pray and ask God to fill you with confidence about your salvation. Trust Him to guard your heart and mind and bring stability. “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me,” says Philippians 4:13. Ask Him for a spiritual renewal that moves you from doubt to assurance. God delights to set our feet on solid ground (Psalm 40:2).
Understand that immature faith can still be saving faith
A new Christian’s faith often resembles a mustered seed (Matthew 17:20). It has room to grow. Don’t expect full maturity right away. Uncertainty in a young believer is normal. But small faith, if it is genuine, will blossom over time into steadfast assurance. So be patient with yourself if you are a new Christian.
Trust God’s promises, not your feelings
Since feelings fluctuate, anchor your faith in God’s unchanging promises. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Let the sure word of Scripture – not your unsure emotions – be your guide. God’s Word stands forever! (Isaiah 40:8).
Remember that salvation is God’s work, not yours
There is no need to constantly question your salvation when you recall that it is God’s work from first to last. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them” (John 10:27-28). God saves sinners by His power (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation depends on His faithfulness, not ours.
Talk to someone if intense doubt persists
Normal doubts come and go. But if questioning your salvation persists at an intense level, and biblical solutions don’t seem to help, talk to your pastor or a Christian counselor. They can provide guidance and check for other issues that may be fueling chronic doubt.
Ask God to increase your faith if you have weak faith
If you feel you have weak faith, don’t despair. Ask God to strengthen it! The disciples once cried, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5). As you pursue Jesus, read Scripture, and fellowship with believers, your faith will grow. Small faith is still saving faith if it is genuine. God accepts us where we are.
Remember you became a new creation in Christ
When you trusted in Christ, God gave you a new heart and placed the Holy Spirit within you (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:9-11). His Spirit confirms you belong to Him. This profound spiritual change means you are His forever. Let it give you confidence even when emotions waiver.
Trust that nothing can separate you from God’s love
When doubts about your salvation arise, remember nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Once He saves you, no one and nothing – not even your feelings – can snatch you from His hand (John 10:28-29). His grip on you is sure.
Remember that God isn’t surprised by your doubts
The Bible shows that great heroes of faith – like David, Elijah, John the Baptist and Thomas – sometimes doubted. Your questions don’t shock God. He isn’t wringing His hands in heaven wondering about you. He already knows your struggles and will help you in them if you rely on Him.
Look back at key moments to trace God’s hand
If you are questioning your salvation, look back on your life for evidence of God’s work and presence. Make a timeline of key moments when you encountered God or grew spiritually. Seeing signs of His fingerprints on your life can renew your assurance.
Trust that salvation is meant to be secure
God designed salvation to provide eternal security to believers. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish,” Jesus said (John 10:28). Biblical assurance of salvation is not arrogance but rather confidence in Christ’s finished work. Let the certainty of God’s promises dispel doubts.
Embrace your weakness and ask God for help
Admit to God you don’t have perfect faith and ask Him to help your unbelief (Mark 9:24). Humility paves the way for Him to renew your mind. “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Let your very weakness drive you to deeper dependence on the Lord.
Remember that God gives the gift of assurance
Eternal life comes as a gift from God, not wages to be earned (Romans 6:23). And assurance of that gift also comes supernaturally from Him. Ask God to “grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). Rely on His Spirit to confirm adoption.
Ask other Christians to pray for you
Don’t underestimate the power of asking fellow believers to pray for you about your doubts. Their prayers can help guard your heart and mind. And their encouragement can renew your hope. We all need each other in the body of Christ.
In summary, questioning your salvation from time to time is normal. But you can overcome ongoing doubt by remembering the basis of salvation (Christ’s work, not yours), renewing your mind with Scripture, relying on God’s promises, examining your spiritual fruit, confessing any sin, talking with other Christians, and pursuing closeness with Jesus. God wants you to have full assurance!