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Feelings, Assurance of Salvation, and the Bible


Feelings as Assurance of SalvationSome people say, "I know I'm saved because I feel so good about it. If I were lost, I just know I wouldn't feel so sure that I'm saved!" Others say that we should pray to God to give us a "burning in the bosom" so we can be assured about the truth. Many who say this are sincere. But can a person be certain he is right religiously simply because he feels right?

Do you just follow your feelings in other areas of life? Have you ever felt sure you were driving on the right road, only to find out later that you were on the wrong road?

Suppose a man had never studied the human body, but he still felt sure he could perform brain surgery. Would you let him operate on you? Would you board a jet airplane if you knew the pilot had never studied or practiced flying, but he just had a feeling he could do it?

No, in all these matters we demand facts, not just feelings. But your soul is of far greater value than your health or your life. So why not decide to learn the facts about your eternal destiny?

Matthew 7:22 describes some people who felt completely sure they were teaching and practicing the things Jesus wanted, but at the judgment they stood condemned. Why? In verse 21 Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in heaven."

Here is the answer to our question. No, it is not enough just to feel right. We must know and do the will of the Father. 1 John 2:3 says. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

Feelings are not an adequate assurance of salvation. We must know the will of God and obey it. Do you know God's will? Are you keeping his commandments?

For more information about related topics, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at /instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the importance of Bible study, how to study the Bible, and the danger of human authority in religion. 


(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2017; gospelway.com

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