Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I truly saved?”
It’s such an important question, and if we’re honest, most of us have wrestled with it at some point.
You might not remember the exact moment of your salvation, or perhaps a season of sin has left you feeling uncertain.
If that’s you, don’t worry—you’re not alone!
Recently, Jonny Ardavanis asked Pastor John MacArthur this very question during an interview.
Pastor John’s response was both practical and deeply encouraging, and I’d love to share what he said with you.
First, let’s clear up a major misconception: Salvation is eternal.
Jesus Himself said in John 6:39:
This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
This means if you are truly saved, it’s a forever kind of thing. You don’t have to live in fear of losing your salvation.
It’s not something you earned, and it’s not something you can lose.
As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, salvation is a gift from God:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
This means your salvation doesn’t depend on you—if it did, it would be based on works.
Instead, our salvation is an undeserved gift from God.
Pastor John outlined four tests that can help you evaluate your faith:
When you become a Christian, your heart changes.
You begin to love the things of God.
While your love won’t be perfect, it will be evident:
Take a moment to reflect. Do you see these new affections in your life?
One of the hallmarks of a true believer is humility.
You’re keenly aware of your sin and the incredible grace of God that saved you.
Instead of feeling entitled, you’re overwhelmed by gratitude.
You know you didn’t earn your salvation—it’s all because of Jesus.
Let’s be real—none of us obey perfectly. Even the apostle Paul admitted in Romans 7:15:
I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
The question isn’t whether you’re perfect.
The question is, do you desire to obey God?
Is the trajectory of your life moving toward Christ?
Do you want to live in a way that honors Him?
This one is huge.
Trials have a way of revealing what’s really in our hearts.
When life gets hard, do you cling to Jesus, or do you walk away?
Genuine faith doesn’t crumble under pressure—it endures and grows stronger.
Pastor John gave the example of Job, who lost everything yet declared:
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him
Faith that withstands trials is a sure sign that it comes from God.
Here’s some good news: The very fact that you’re struggling with sin is evidence of your salvation.
Before you were saved, you didn’t care about sin.
But now, your sin grieves you, and you long to change.
That’s the Holy Spirit working in you!
Remember, salvation isn’t about perfection—it’s about the direction of your life and the ongoing process of sanctification, becoming more like Jesus each day.
Even the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:
I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
If salvation depended on us, we’d all lose it. But here’s the beautiful truth: God holds us.
He’s the one who gave you faith, and He’s the one who will sustain it. Philippians 1:6 promises:
He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
If you’re questioning your salvation, take heart!
The very act of asking shows that your heart is seeking God.
Genuine faith is marked by love for Christ, humility, a desire to obey, and perseverance in trials—even if it’s imperfect.
If you see evidence of love for Christ, humility, a desire to obey, and perseverance in trials—even if it’s imperfect—you can be confident in your salvation.
So take heart, dear friend! Your salvation is secure, not because of what you’ve done but because of what Christ has done.
Press on in faith, knowing that God will hold you fast.
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