“But
I don't feel like I am saved!”
From time to time I have heard this statement. Naturally it can be deeply troubling! Usually it signifies
that a person is plagued with doubts about his/her salvation from the penalty of sin.
Years ago some teachers and I came across
a computer program that told of a person's “bio-rhythms.” We found it to be interesting. In fact, some people
used the information that they knew about their bio-rhythms in their dealings with other people. Could this be part of this
phenomenon about feelings? I don't know. But I do know as Peter said in 2 Peter 1:19 that there is something much more “sure.”
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed.”
In his sermons, my husband
often mentions the three F's: Fact, Faith, and Feelings. It is important to find all the Facts. When
one knows the Facts, one can place total Faith in those facts. Then it follows that the Feelings can come. Faith that is based
securely on Facts is like a solid Rock that stands firm.
Therefore, in order to “Feel saved,” it is important to know
the Facts. 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 states:
“...I declare to you the gospel which
I preached to you,
which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved,
if you hold fast that
word which I preached to you....”
So they heard the word. They also received it and stood upon it! Therefore they were saved. What was
that word that they had received and believed?
“For I delivered to you first of all
that which I also received,
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried,
and that He rose again
the third day according to the Scriptures.”
These are historical Facts. Another apostle stated it clearly and definitely
so I can be sure.
“...God has given us eternal life, and this life is
in His Son.
He who has the Son has life;
he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
These things I have written to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God,
that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:11-13
I have Faith in those
Facts. I know God does not lie. Since I know those Facts are true, my Faith stands firm. Even on those days when the skies
are gray and cloudy and my Feelings don't keep up, I remind myself of the Facts and tell my Feelings to shape up!