Hello Friends,
Someone recently brought to my attention that I’ve never officially shared my salvation testimony here on the blog. After four years of blogging… it’s definitely time to fix that.
So, today’s post is all about how I came to accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. You will also read about my past struggle with doubting my salvation and how I gained victory in that area. I hope this post will be a help and a blessing to you – as well as give you just another peek into my life and walk with the Lord!
My Personal Salvation Testimony
In many ways, this story starts with my parents! As newlyweds (and born-again Christians), they began attending a Baptist church and became committed to living for the Lord. As my brothers and I were born, they took us to church, taught us about God, and set a godly example for all three of us. When I was a baby, my parents joined a new Baptist church plant in the area and four years later my dad became the assistant pastor. (P.S. it was at this same church where Adam and I met 18 years later!)
Being born into a Christian home, going to church, and being the daughter of a pastor did NOT make me a Christian. I soon began to realize my own personal need of salvation. Hearing the Gospel at church and at home (and also seeing some of my friends trust Christ as their Savior) I began asking my mom if I could get saved too. I was five years old at the time and my mom wanted to make sure I was truly ready. So, she waited a little bit… and I kept asking!
Finally, one Sunday afternoon, after asking my mom again, she took me up to my bedroom and there on my bed explained God’s simple plan of salvation. I realized that I was a sinner and needed Jesus to save me – so I prayed and accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and life! I still remember the excitement of sharing with others that I had finally gotten saved. ♥
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
A couple years later, at the age of seven, my dad baptized me at our church. I do not believe that Baptism is necessary for salvation, but I do believe it is the next step of obedience as a Christian! In some ways, I wish my Baptism would have happened closer to the date I got saved, but it took me awhile to work up the courage. 🙂
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…” Acts 2:41
Doubting my Salvation…
As a young girl (and during my early teen years) I began to struggle with doubts about my salvation. Maybe it was because I got saved at a young age (and my recollection of that day is a bit fuzzy) or maybe it was because I’m a naturally worrisome and anxious person. Whatever the reason, Satan was really after my heart and mind in this area. I remember lying awake at night, worrying that the rapture would happen and my whole family would be taken without me! Every time I heard a message on Hell or the rapture, I would wonder deep down inside, ‘am I truly saved? Am I really on my way to Heaven? What if…?’ And on and on the questions and worries would go.
My mom was amazing at reassuring me and helping me work through this struggle. At one time I prayed again with my mom for reassurance of my salvation, but unfortunately, I continued to worry and doubt.
Sometime during my teen years, I finally had enough with the doubts and questions. There were also a couple of books and one Scripture verse in particular that helped me gain victory in this area… but the main thing that made all the difference?
I realized I had a choice.
I realized that I could continue to doubt and question my salvation, OR I could CHOOSE to take God at His Word and believe that my eternal future was safe in His hands (and had been since the day I trusted Him!).
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28
Another verse that really helped me was 1 John 5:13 (which is written to those who are already believers)…
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:13
God wants us to know with full assurance that we are saved and on our way to Heaven! It was never His plan for believers to doubt their salvation. I believe the Devil uses fear and doubts about our salvation to cripple us as Christians and hinder our service for the Lord.
The above verses, as well as making the choice to take God at His Word, made such a big difference for me. I knew I had already confessed my sins and placed my trust in Christ, so there was nothing left for me to do. The solution to the problem was realizing that my Heavenly Father was (and still is!) keeping my soul safe in His hands.
This is not to say I’ve never once doubted my salvation since. However, every time the ugly face of doubt and fear begins to creep into my heart and mind, I just remember what Christ has done for me, and what God has promised in His Word! There’s an eternal home in Heaven waiting for me!
And trust me, my friend, there is nothing like knowing with absolute certainty that you are saved and on your way to Heaven!
I no longer need to live in fear of death, or Hell, or the rapture, but can live my life in peace with full assurance of my Salvation.
How About You?
How about you, my friend? Are you 100% sure that you are saved and on your way to Heaven? Was there a time that you confessed your sins to God and accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?
Not one person is exempt from sin – we’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory! That means none of us is exempt from the penalty of sin – which is separation from God and an eternal destiny in a horrible place called Hell.
But God…
He loved us in spite of our sin that He sent HIS SON (His only Son!) to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16). Christ took the penalty that we rightfully deserve.
Because of what Christ did on the cross, all we need to do, is realize we are a sinner, confess our sins to God, and accept the free gift of Salvation.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Because it’s a gift, we don’t need to work or do anything special in order to receive salvation. We simply need to accept the gift!
Those who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation can know with full assurance that they are saved and on their way to Heaven someday. What a wonderful and merciful God we serve! ♥
Final Thoughts
Friend, if you would like to chat more, either about salvation or how to gain victory over doubting your salvation, PLEASE feel free to contact me here. I would love to chat with you more! Don’t hesitate to reach out! ♥
If you have already accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior (and I know that many of you already have – praise the Lord!) then I would LOVE to hear how YOU got saved. Please leave a comment below and share your salvation testimony with all of us! ♥ I love hearing from my readers, and what better thing to hear than how you came to know the Lord?!
Salvation Resources
Here are two simple books that have helped me further understand salvation and Christ’s work on the cross. I would highly recommend these resources!
- Done: What Most Religons Don’t Tell You About the Bible – a very small yet insightful book about Christianity and Salvation by Cary Schmidt.
- Settled and Strong: What It Takes to Have Assurance of Salvation – another very small but VERY helpful book on the subject of assurance. This book was a big help to me!
I hope and pray this post was a help and encouragement to you, dear friend! Once again, don’t be afraid to reach out to me here OR leave a comment below! ♥
With Love,
Your testimony was SUCH an encouragement to me!! I have a very similar story and also had doubts. It is so comforting to know I’m not the only one! I also was saved at 5. I remember being super excited, going to my bedroom one night, and praying on the edge of my bed. I don’t remember the words, but it was simple. I struggled with assurance for years and years and there wasn’t a ton of growth.
After a couple difficult years fighting cancer, I was able to attend a Christian camp one summer, and although the overall experience was not the best, God convicted me of my desire to know Him, and put a love in me for His Word. I eagerly began to dig into the Bible on a regular basis, reading lots of devotionals, and paying attention attention in church. However, more doubts arose. I also understand the lay-in-bed-at-night-worrying about whether or not I was truly saved. And it was taking God at His Word that helped me, too. I got to the point where I prayed, “Lord, if I’m not saved, than there is no way I CAN be saved. I have asked you to forgive me, and I’ve believed that your Son died and defeated sin so I could be saved. If I’m not already saved, there is nothing I can do. I am hopeless.” My conclusion was this: either God did not choose me as His elect, or He is a liar. I knew that neither was true. God has worked so closely in my life. I’ve seen His hand so much. Romans 10:13 hit me between the eyes. It’s not MIGHT be saved, or will PROBABLY be saved – it’s WILL be saved. It’s a promise. And I had called on the name of the Lord, therefore being a recipient of the promise. I finally trusted that He held my salvation even when I didn’t feel like He did.
The lyrics of the hymn He Will Hold Me Fast spoke to me. “When I fear my faith will fail, He will hold me fast.” I sing that one phrase all the time, whenever I am tempted to doubt. I’ve chosen to believe and not worry. 💚
Hi Grace,
I am so glad this post was an encouragement to you! There definitely are quite a few similarities to our stories. I wanted to include a section about assurance of salvation because I know this is something a LOT of people struggle with (or have struggled with in the past). So no, you’re certainly NOT the only one! Thank you for sharing your own salvation testimony! ♥
Rebekah
Hello
Hello
Grace, I prayed a very similar prayer to God in desperation at one time, that if I wasn’t saved now, I never would be because I knew nothing else to do! And I also LOVE that hymn and sing it to myself a lot 😉
You’re testimony was such an encouragement to me! I love it!Thank you for sharing!♥️
Hi Kiara, I’m glad it was an encouragement to you! Thanks for reading! ♥
I got saved at the age of 6. I knew I was a dinner so I came to my mom and I told her I wanted to be saved. We read verses on salvation and we prayed together. I was very excited!
Aww that’s great – thanks for sharing! ♥
I got saved when I was seven after learning about salvation in Vacation Bible School. My Sunday school teacher read through some of the verses you mentioned with me and then we prayed together. I was baptized a couple months later (I was kind of scared to go underwater, so the pastor’s wife held my hand the whole time 😊). Overall, I remember being excited knowing that Jesus was my Savior and my friend 🙂
That’s so neat, Rosie! Thank you for sharing! ♥ I know quite a few people who have gotten saved through Vacation Bible School and I think that is so neat!
Sinner not dinner. I’m sorry about that.
Thank you so very much for this post today. It is exactly what I needed to read.
My husband said the Saving Prayer and trusts Jesus for his salvation, in June 2009. He said the prayer when his mom and grandmother tried to separate us. I absolutely do not believe in divorce at all. After I told him how it made me feel and that I was thinking about leaving with our toddler daughter at the time, which caused him to get saved.
After quite a bit of mild discussions with my husband and always having our daughter around to watch, things improved between us. My husband and I made a promise to not ever argue in front of children, which by Jesus’ grace we have managed to keep our promise. Within 6 months we had saved up and bought a house that was next door to a Baptist Church. We got settled into our new house and new life away from our unsaved family. We started attending and became members of the church next to us and that is when I got saved in June 2010. I am so very thankful that my husband and I had to go through what we did so that we can be where we are now…God fearing Christians.
About 6 years after going to the church next door, the Elders at the church decided to relocate to another location. The church is still nice and there are some new families attending who are very nice. Unfortunately it seems like some things have changed as far as doctrine that is taught now. I am a firm believer in the fact that salvation is free and we are to do good works because we are saved. Now our church is preaching that Salvation can be lost, which according to my KJV Bible that is not true.
I have to be completely honest here and say that I have doubted my salvation here the past year. I fully whole heartedly know that I am a born again Christian and Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose on the 3rd day, but I have been struggling with the new gospel being preached at our church.
My husband who is very well read and researched many things within the Bible. He has gently talked to our Pastor about it and at that time he does agree with what my husband says, but yet a few services later he politely states the fact that Salvation is works based and can be lost and is not a free gift. This breaks my husband and my heart knowing that a false Gospel is being preached at church now.
Please keep us in your prayers and how we should continue our walk with the Lord, whether it would be to continue attending our home church or to seek a new church. My husband and I have had our church in our prayers.
Thank you so much for the reassurance of my Salvation. Jesus knew exactly what I needed to read today. God bless you sister in Christ.
Hi Michele,
Thanks for sharing your testimony! It was so neat to read how you and your husband both came to know the Lord – and how Christ has transformed your lives since then! ♥
Also, I am so sorry to hear about the changes taking place in your church. I am sure God will give you both wisdom and direction about the next step to take!
Rebekah
I got saved when I was 17. I was in church and my pastor preached on salvation. At the altar call me and my friend went to the altar and my friend read me verses on salvation and I prayed the prayer of salvation. I believed that Jesus died for my sons and rose again on the third day. I got baptized two weeks after that.😊♥️
Hi Cindy,
What a wonderful memory for both you and your friend! Thanks for sharing how you came to know Christ! It’s been so neat to read everyone’s testimonies!
Rebekah
Sins. Not sons.
Reading your post was almost a carbon copy of how I became saved. I too, accepted Jesus early in my grade school years and as I approached preteen and teenage years, I started doubting. What’s also amazing is I was afraid the rapture would happen and I would be the only one left in my family. My dad is also a Baptist pastor and he spent many times with me praying and convincing me through scripture that I AM born again. As an adult, I’ve had a few times of struggle, but I KNOW that I’m saved through His grace. Thank you for your testimony
Praise the Lord for the wonderful peace of assurance! Thanks for sharing your testimony!
Hi Rebekah! God bless you 🙂 I totally relate to your story because I was also born in the Christian Faith because my parents had recently committed to Christ when I was born. During my childhood I heard about Jesus and knew He loved me a lot but I felt I didn’t have him in my heart! I also became afraid if He came back, He would leave me. But I also knew I wanted to be with Jesus. Jesus was my best friend during very lonely times in school so I knew I wanted to accept him! One day at camp, someone was giving a sermon about accepting Christ & not just depending on knowing Him through our parents. I cried during the whole sermon. I was about 14 years old. After the speaker was done, I went to 2 leaders I did not know and asked if they can pray for me because I wanted to be saved. I explained I was born in a Christian home but I never confessed Jesus as my savior. Let me tell you, it was the best decision I made at a very young age. I am 26 and still madly in love with my best friend, Jesus! Thank you for sharing your story. May you continue to pursue Him all the days of your life!
Thank you for sharing your testimony! I am so glad you came to the realization that being born into a Christian family does not make one a Christian! And how neat that you accepted Jesus at camp. 🙂
I love that you shared your testimony! It’s so similar to mine. I also used to struggle with doubts for so long! I think part of it was that I, like you, have always been a worried and anxious individual…ha! But I think another part of it is that I was raised in a lot of churches that talked about salvation being this big emotional experience or these huge overnight changes. Yes, my life did change overnight! But I didn’t have a “grand” salvation “experience” to tell about. I was convicted of my sin, prayed for God to save me, and that was it. And then I also felt like maybe I wasn’t saved because of how much I still sinned. Anyway, something that really helped me was when I read Pilgrim’s Progress. I can’t even remember what they were specifically talking about. But it was something about how to have assurance of your salvation and how it was as simple as asking yourself what you were trusting in. I realized that I am trusting completely in God’s work and nothing of my own. That is all we need! Anyway, just a bit of my testimony but I could go on lol
Yes, I know what you mean! Many people base salvation on an emotional experience or a “feeling” – or even a huge life change. You’re right, our life does change but it’s not always this grand and obvious life transformation – nor should it be based on how we “feel” in the moment! Those ideas definitely set one up for doubting….
I love how Pilgrim’s Progressed helped you understand assurance in a new light! And praise the Lord that we CAN have complete and total assurance of our salvation!
I’m not sure about this.
I’m sorry – is there something you would like me to clarify or explain?
What does it mean when you doubt your salvation?
It’s when someone questions whether or not they are truly saved. Many times it’s due to a lack of faith or lack of memory about the time they received Christ. Other times, it may be because a person was never saved in the first place.
I loved this, Rebekah! I have a very similar story. It seems like it’s similar for many who are born in Christian homes! Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. It’s very encouraging!
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony! I am also a pastor’s daughter and made two professions of faith before I finally excepted Christ as my savior at 11 years old December 8th 2015.And I praise God he never left me or forsake me all those years I doubted.❤️🙏🏻
Thanks for sharing! ❤️ I’m so glad you received Christ at the age of 11. That’s wonderful!
I keep doubting my salvation and I don’t know what to do. Is there ways you can help me???
Hi Amy, I would encourage you to reach out to a Pastor’s wife or an older lady you trust! I’m sure they can share some wonderful advice to help you. Also, continue to read and meditate on God’s Word about salvation and assurance (like the verses I mentioned above). Also, prayer is really important too – talk to the Lord about your doubts.
Can you tell me how I can be saved? I’m not saved and I want to be saved.♥️
Hi Alice, I sent you an email 😊
Thank you for leading me to the Lord. I got saved yesterday!!!! I am so happy!!!!♥️
That’s wonderful! ❤️ So happy for you! And I’m glad you got the email.
I followed the verse in Acts 2:38 I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savor Repented of my sins was baptised in Jesus name and recieved the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues
Hi Rebekah, Thankyou for sharing your testimony. I really enjoyed it.
I was bought up in a Christian home, a family of eight. I remember Dad would read the Bible each morning before we ran up to the gate, to catch the school bus. I remember mum reading bible bedtime stories and we all barred to sit on her lap. Poor mum!
I don’t remember listening too well, but I knew it was absolute truth. I look back now and know what a blessing that was. Knowing the Bible was God’s Word. Knowing heaven and hell were real and that Jesus Christ was the way, the truth and the life.
None of us kids loved school. We had lots of days off. We could all drive the tractor and the trucks, before we could see over the steering wheel. The best present you can give a kid I reckon is farm life. Growing crops, Baling hay, rearing calves, trying to rear ostriches, growing watermelons and pumpkins, fixing and making things, motor bikes, swimming and fishing. We had a wonderful life. But in all that, I knew there was more to life.
Satan wants us to think we are ‘all- right’ the way we are, but God wants us to be ‘all righteous’ (1 Peter 1v1) through His Son’s finished work and I knew I wasn’t that. It troubled me that in eternity I would have to answer to God.
I remember a couple of times at the farm house all alone, quiet, by myself. The nearest house a few km away and I’d think, what if the rapture has come and I’ve been left behind.
You know Satan doesn’t want us to have these quiet, still moments, when we start thinking about life and important stuff. He likes us to have the tv blarrring, music, the radio, or an ipad in our ears and eyes, filling up our mind or if we’re older maybe working all the time, BUSY, hanging out with the wrong crowd, Whatever! – just so you don’t start thinking about God. You see I knew I was not a Christian. I knew if I died, I would go to hell. I hadn’t made my peace with God. I was nearly 16, wanting my own way. ‘No one! was gonna be the boss of me’. SELF was on the throne.
There were some words my parents told me not to say. Get lost, shut up and mungrel! , ‘Get lost- I was told that Jesus came to seek and save the lost sinners, shut up – I was told nice girls shouldn’t talk so rough, , Mungrel – When the cow you were milking booted your hand and knocked the milk bucket flying, the bull smashed your fully laden fruit trees down to a stump or the horse you wanted to ride wouldn’t let you catch it, they perhaps silently could have been mungrels. People were definitely not!
My rebellious heart frequently loved to string all three forbidden words together whenever my brothers crossed or teased me. I knew I was a sheep, fast going astray. (1Peter 2v25)
I remember doing mail box bible club lessons and a section at the end had a box to tick, I am saved, I am not saved and I’m not sure. That was pretty confronting. Sometimes I’d leave them all blank. Other times I’d tick the,’ I’m not sure box’ and then other times I’d tick the I’m saved box. In my heart, I knew I wasn’t.
Sometimes I’d win the wishbone in the chicken and I’d wish for some silly trivia thing out loud and in my head I’d wish, that I could be saved. Wishing didn’t make me saved.
A visiting preacher from the UK, Peter Brandon was having special gospel meetings in Toowoomba. We’d often travel in the 3 hr drive and stay a night with our grandparents and get grocery supplies and boxes of fruit and any parts Dad would need to fix something. There’s always something to fix on a farm! Dad kept a long row of old broken stuff – he called it the ‘machinery mile’, us kids caked it the ‘junk line’! It reminded me of me. It was high time, I needed fixed. To have my broken relationship with God mended, to give meaning to my life.
That day was the 23rd of April 1989. I knew I just had to get saved because this was the last night’s message. Up the back of a packed Herries street Gospel hall, I listened intently. The preacher gave an illustration about how as a little fellow, he was on holidays at the sea and how he had a life ring all around him but he refused to take his feet off the bottom and trust it to hold him, So while all the other kids had fun, he’d just sat on the sand glum. The next year, he didn’t want to miss out, and how he had taken his feet off the bottom and trusted the life ring and how happy he was as he began to float in the ocean.
He read John 5v24, “Verily verily I say unto you, he that heareth my Word and believeth on Him that sent me HATH everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life.”
Well I’ d just heard Gods Word again, I’d heard it all my life. I knew, I was a sinner, in need of a Saviour- Jesus Christ. At last it clicked, the lights came on. (Isaiah 9v2) “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined.” I came just as I was, guilty, no good. I knew I couldn’t save myself. I believed He would and I took my feet off the bottom and by faith trusted God’s Word and started to swim in the ocean of God’s love. I received the free gift He offered.
We sang,’ Just as I am without one plea, But that thou bids me come to thee, O lamb of God I come.’ I returned to the great shepherd, lover of my soul!
We slowly exited the hall. I wanted to tell the preacher, ‘I got it”, but I just shook his hand like everyone else and said, ‘goodnight’. In the car, mum said, ‘that was a great message’ and I just burst into tears. No! they weren’t tears of sadness, they were tears of joy!
That night, I found peace with God. I found refuge in His amazing grace. He had given me His righteousness. I knew if anything happened to me, my soul was right for eternity. To this day, it’s the greatest thing, that has happened in my life! I’d got free from the chains of sin, death and hell. I put my trust in the greatest man in history. Jesus who had no servants, yet was called master. Had no degree, yet was called teacher. Had no medicines, yet was called healer. Had no army, yet kings feared Him. Won no military battles, yet conquered the world. Committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. Was buried in a tomb, yet LIVES today! I had passed from death unto life.
I felt very happy, but happiness didn’t last. That week that old accuser, Satan began to put doubts in my head. I didn’t feel saved. Surely I had to do something!
I’m glad my Dad liked driving. He’d clocked up a million km in one car. I’m glad he wanted to see his children saved too and as a parent I can now say, There’s no greater joy than to see your children walking in the Lord.
The next weekend dad loaded the family into the car and we drove to Brisbane to another gospel meeting. There were six of us kids across the back seat- packed in like sardines in a tin, all wedged in for 5 hrs. I must say that is a good way to learn brotherly love!
Would you believe it, that message, was just for me. I heard the same illustration again. I needed that and I don’t look for feelings any more. God said it. I believe it.. He said HATH everlasting Life, not might!
We sing ‘, I take Him at His Word.’ We sing, ‘His Word, my hope secures’. That’s not like anybody’s words. That’s Gods Word and I know He fulfills ALL His promises.
Since then I’ve rested in what Christ has done for me, in what I couldn’t do myself and I don’t have doubts anymore. The bible does not say he . that “FEELETH” shall be saved, but he that “BELIEVETH. Having assurance of salvation is so Important. Don’t let that bad thought, doubt or worry have a second in your mind, take it captive and toss it.
It goes with the saying, “You can’t stop birds from flying over your head, but don’t let them build a nest in your hair.”
I was baptized the following year on 14 October 1990 in a swimming pool and the following Sunday fellowshipped at the Dalby gospel chapel.
A lot of years have passed since then but I remember a tough time in my life, was when I was expecting a baby. The joy that gives and the expectation and then I went for a routine checkup and the doctor couldn’t find a heartbeat. God used this time to stretch and grow me. Just like I’d trusted Him to save me, I learnt that I needed to trust Him in everything that life throws. There were ultra sounds and more appointments, a night in labour and I had a miscarriage at 3 months.
In my distress I remember saying ‘ I’ll never be happy until I hold another little baby in my arms and later that week, saying, ‘God you are in the driver’s seat. I am not! I trust you.’ This is something I’ve needed to remember every day of my life.
I liked my brothers bowling straight balls to me in cricket, but I didn’t like those curved spinning balls or when the ball would hit a rough patch and send my stumps flying. Life can be like that! All sorts of things get tossed at us.
I’ve read a few books, they may have informed me, but there’s only one book that’s transforming me and that’s the Bible.
I’m still learning to let go of the reigns, to change the things I can and leave the things I can’t in God’s hands.
To say,’ I trust You today’ and know He cares,
To know that our disappointments are actually His appointments and allowed by Him to change us.
To be ‘still and think on true, honest and lovely things. To cultivate a thankful heart. Any goodness you see in me, is not me! It’s the Lord Jesus. I still think people are mungrels. I know I’m one of them. My stinking thoughts, my selfish actions. They testify there is no goodness in me.
But, today I can tick the,’ I’m saved box.’ I’ve been given a gift. I’m forgiven, my name is written in heaven and it’s my eternal home. I’m going there because of His righteousness , not my own. By His grace my sins are no longer mine to pay for and He can do the same for you. Nothing in your life is more important than your eternal destiny. He is the answer! He has put peace in my heart, satisfaction and a sure hope. “He has put a new song in my mouth, He is my rock and in Him do I trust. I will praise His NAME.”
Wow…I was Very much able to connect with your testimony!
I was brought up by parents who were (and are) believers in Jesus Christ, and loved and taught us from God’s Word from an early age. I don’t remember all of the details, but my parents helped lead me to the Lord when I was six, and I was baptized not long after at our church in a horse trough outside (since our sanctuary was under construction) <3
Life went on. Good days and bad days. Even though I was homeschooled and was surrounded by Christian, conservative/biblical influences, I had a rebellious streak as a child and struggled with honoring my parents. When I was twelve, the Lord really began working on my heart, and I began seriously doubting my salvation. After tons of talks with my parents, I rededicated my life to the Lord. I grew TONS in my walk with Christ after that…and still struggled off and on when I was 16 and 17 with doubting my salvation, but the Lord has provided such reassurance through Scripture, answered prayers, talks with siblings/parents/friends/relatives… He is so faithful and I know I belong to Christ. Now to keep living for Him!!
Thank you for sharing this! I feel like a lot of individuals who get saved as youngsters often struggle with doubting their salvation as they get older. God is so good…Thank you again!
I doubted my salvation lately and I felt like a terrible Christian. I didn’t know who to open up to. I didn’t want my family, friends and pastor to think any different of me. I finally couldn’t take the struggle alone and I opened up to my husband about it. My husbands response was so loving. His response wasn’t bitter or judgmental. He wanted to make sure I knew 100% where I was going to spend eternity.
Being 9 months pregnant at the time, my hormones were not helping my real spiritual problem I was facing. I knew my emotions were heightened because of being pregnant. I did not want to go into Labor without knowing 100% of where I was going to spend eternity. I was on a time clock and I started to get scared. I couldn’t sleep and it was constantly on my mind.
I grew up in a Christian home, my Mom took me to church every Sunday and Wednesday from birth all the way till I moved out of the house. She taught me to love the Lord and to put God first in my life. At 7 years old my family was in the living room talking about Heaven and Hell..it was right after 9-11 happened. They were all talking about how they were glad they were saved and going to Heaven one day. I remember sitting on the floor and it hit me..I didn’t want to die and go to hell. I wanted to go to Heaven! I cried, cried some more, and even cried more. I remember asking my Mom how do I get saved and go to Heaven. I can’t remember everything she told me but we waiting till Wednesday evening to talk to my Sunday school teacher. I was so upset to wait because I wanted to know I was going to Heaven. I walked into church crying and I went to a quiet room with my Mom and Sunday school teacher and they talked with me. I remember crying and saying the sinners prayer I believe. I say I believe, because I can’t remember what I said. I was young and my memory is foggy. I just knew so bad I wanted to go to Heaven and not Hell. I remember after the prayer I was so happy I was going to Heaven. I told everyone about it, even my cousins.
Most people would say that’s a great salvation testimony. So, why was I doubting my salvation? I doubted because I couldn’t remember what I said in the sinners prayer.
On March 6th, two days before Little one was born I went down to the alter in tears. My husband met me at the alter and I just cried for awhile. My heart was heavy. I was struggling with not remembering what I said at 7 years old and not knowing if I was saved then. I know the prayer itself doesn’t get you to Heaven. It’s believing the Gospel and putting your faith in Him.
I believed the Gospel!
I Loved the Lord!
I wanted to share the Gospel with others!
I want to serve Him forever!
My Faith was in Christ!
I took spiritual tests and it pointed that I was saved!
I produced the fruit as of a saved person!
BUT, I couldn’t get pass not remembering what I said in the sinners prayer.
I cried out to God and said you know I’m struggling with my salvation. I then asked God to forgive me of my Sins and to save me If I wasn’t saved. I received the assurance of my Salvation that I needed before going into the hospital.
Was I wrong to call out to God since I hadn’t worked out if I was truly saved or not? No, I would rather of asked God to save me even if I was already saved at 7 then NOT ask God to save me and go to Hell one day. Eternity is forever..and I didn’t want to have even the smallest doubt.
After March 6th I really started to study about Assurance of Salvation. Personally, I don’t think it’s taught enough in churches. Doubting is real and I never new how real it was until it happened to me.
Was I saved at 7..Yes I was!!
At 27 I learned what true assurance was!
Just because I can’t remember what I said in the prayer doesn’t make not saved! I believe and put my faith in Jesus Christ and that He died for my sins. I was lacking in my faith of what Christ did in my life at the age of 7 and it made me doubt.