You can be confident of your salvation

Our youth group recently traveled to Eagle, Alaska. At one point the telegraph line ran from Eagle to Valdez. Building the line was a monumental task. Swamps, mosquitoes, bitter cold and harsh terrain made construction difficult. The Army brought in a young Billy Mitchell to build the line.

Billy Mitchell eventually became General Billy Mitchell- the father of the United States Air Force. Mitchell was tireless, strong and goal oriented. The men refused to work at -30. He banned thermometers from the fort!

In Eagle we saw pictures of Billy Mitchell and even his Bible on display. Today Billy Mitchell is dead. I wondered if Mitchell died as a saved man. Jesus died for our sins. The greatest thing is to be saved. The next greatest thing is to know that you are saved.

The Book of 1 John was written to provide assurance of salvation. John writes, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). 1 John contains thirteen tests that provide assurance of salvation.

First, Christians mourn over their sin. 1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanses us from all unrighteousness.” When a Christian sins we confess and repent. Our sin resulted in the death of God’s Son.

Second, believers obey the Word of God. “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). No person is perfect- not even a Christian! However, there is a pattern of obedience in a follower of Christ.

Third, we do not love this evil world system. John says, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). This evil world system- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life- is temporary. John reminds us, “But the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

Fourth, a follower of Christ understands basic Bible doctrine. John says, “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you” (1 John 2:27). The Holy Spirit enables us to understand basic biblical truth.

Fifth, a saved person loves God’s people. 1 John 3:14 says, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” Christians are part of a family. Jesus loves us so that we can love others.

1 John 5:1 says, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…” Jesus is the Messiah. He came to die for our sins. He lived a perfect life and then died a perfect death. He died in our place. Jesus in your heart will make a difference in your life.

Billy Mitchell was a remarkable person. He understood the future was not the battleship but the airplane. Let us be wise. The future is not on this earth. The future is in heaven. Jesus enables us to have eternal life. Please make certain of your salvation!

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.