Unsure Of My Salvation

As crazy as it sounds, I never fully understood the gift of salvation until after I was born-again.

Despite trusting Jesus as my Savior and my life radically changing overnight, I still struggled in my relationship with God early on.  I was so fearful of doing something “wrong” and afraid Jesus would cast me into hell for it that I was hindered from growing spiritually.  It was like being stuck at the starting line of a race, unable to move, just waiting for the black flag to appear and disqualify me.

About two years into my relationship with Jesus, I was sitting in my living room watching TV.  As I flipped through the channels, a program called “In Touch with Charles Stanley” grabbed my attention.  Within a few short minutes of listening to his sermon, I burst into tears on my couch.  Dr. Stanley’s message was on salvation and the security we have in Jesus by His grace through faith – not faith in what we do, but faith in what Jesus already did for us!

At that moment, a massive wave of relief washed over me.  It finally clicked!  I realized there was nothing I needed to add to what Jesus did on the cross to make my salvation more complete or secure.  It was purely God’s gift to me, in full, when I trusted Jesus for it by faith. 

That day was a huge turning point in my growth as a believer.  I went from a fearful, self-focused, baby Christian who was always worried about making Jesus mad to a strong and steadfast believer with unshakable faith in Jesus who was standing firm on the Bible’s promises.

What about you?  Have you struggled in your walk with Jesus, being unsure of your salvation?  What are the things keeping you from moving forward, full-steam-ahead with Jesus?