We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
1 John 5:18
People often ask me how a person can honestly know that they have been saved. Can we really know? I believe God answers that question in our Scripture today, and John is confident that we can know this reality.
Those who are born again stop habitually sinning
“It’s just the way I am.” “I can’t stop.” “I was just brought up that way.” “I just have no filter.” These are all reasons wrapped in a lie of excuses. It seems to me that anyone can justify anything. Do you know how I know? Because I’ve tried to say the same things. We must realize that an internal change in our lives affects the most profound areas of sin and begins to work on those areas which have become sinful habits.
I know it continues to be a struggle for many, but the internal change that occurs is a real and significant change that we cannot afford to overlook. At the moment we place our trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. He makes our hearts a forever home for Himself. With that said, this is the immediate change that happens in our lives at salvation. The Holy Spirit becomes a kind of spiritual conscience that guides us to right things and right behaviors. While we still have to make the right decisions, John is clear that salvation breaks down the wall of habitual sin in your life, and that’s an incredible thing. If you are involved with habitual sin and aren’t bothered by it, you may not be saved.
I’m not trying to scare you, but encouraging you to look at one of the truths from God’s word about sin and the nature of it in the believer’s life. We should not continue to sin habitually. 1 John 3:6-10 explains this well.
But here’s the problem. We have so-called believers who claim to know Jesus, but their outward behavior shows no internal change. This confusing behavior is a problem, and I can see how we might feel torn about whether or not we’re saved. And you know, that must be a scary feeling.
Those who are born again are protected
Another great truth about our salvation is that Jesus protects us. The phrase means Satan is not able to touch us. Those are great words. Satan cannot touch us because we do not belong to him. We belong to Jesus. Jesus, the One who secured our salvation on the cross, protects us.
I look at it like a father and a son relationship. There is nothing that I would not do to protect my family. I would do everything I can to secure their safety. Now think about Jesus. He redeemed us from the slavery of sin so that we could live lives that would point others to Him. The good thing is that we cannot be touched because we are internally changed and reborn! The Holy Spirit is our protector, guide, and shield.
Those who are born again are so blessed
Can you really know? John says we can. He says that proofs of our salvation are our lack of habitual sin and His providential protection in our lives. Regardless of where you are today, you can know for sure that you are saved. I would love to talk more with you about this most critical decision in your life. You can never make a more important decision. Choosing your spouse, house, and occupation are important things, but the most crucial decision in your life is whether or not to trust Jesus as your Savior. Habitual sin does not keep us from experiencing salvation but is evidence that we need Jesus. We need to surrender our hearts to Him and allow Him to clean us up.
If you want to talk further, please email me at [email protected]. It is no accident that you read this post this morning…