This soteriological question (theology of salvation) usually falls under the particular doctrine known as “The Assurance of Salvation.” Most specifically, as an epistemological question (theology of knowledge or faith) it can be stated as, “How do I know I am saved?” You know you are saved, first of all, by knowing what salvation is. You cannot know you “are something” if you do not know what that “something” is. If you know what salvation is then you can know whether or not you received it. Salvation is accepting that you need God to solve your problem of sin and that God provides you with the solution to that problem. In response, you give your life to God. Salvation is confessing that you are not your own provider of your own salvation or forgiveness/you are not your own boss but, instead of you, Jesus is accepted as your Lord, and that when Jesus was raised from the dead, He achieved the victory over your sin for you that you could not win for yourself (Rom 10:9-10). In a logical response, you give yourself completely to Christ and now focus your life on living for Him (Rom 12:1).

You know you are saved, not so much by assurance in yourself and your own actions, but by your confidence in God and His actions. (Eph 2:8-10) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship….

Confidence in the nature of God = grace

Confidence in the activity of God = gift
No confidence in your own works but, instead, in God’s work = not by your works but by His workmanship

You know you are saved because you have a relationship with God. Faith (which is relationship with God) is the assurance of things hoped for (Heb 11:1) Eternal life (salvation) is to know God (John 17:3) You know you are saved in the spiritual, the experiential, and the evidential.

Spiritual = The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom 8:16).

Experiential = Your testimony of what God has actually done in your life (Titus 3:3-7)

Evidential = There is fruit in your life (not perfection but a moving forward in your salvation as in John 15:8).

You know you are saved because you desire Jesus to be the focus of your life (1 John 5:11-13). You know you are saved because you know the ability and determination of Jesus to keep you in His fold. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord (Jude 1:24-25). My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand (John 10:27-29). “How do I know I am saved?” is, perhaps, best answered in a question you ask yourself: “Do I know the Savior?”

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:16

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

A systematic study of the doctrine of salvation (soteriology) and the doctrine of the Church (ecclesiology). Special attention will be given to the plan of redemption and the contents of the gospel message as it is seen in the incarnation, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Special emphasis will be on the nature and working of the kingdom of God. The Gospels and Jesus’ teachings will serve as the specific source of the study.

The Assurance of our Salvation
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones