Feeling Saved

I’ve heard some people say things “I know I’m saved because I feel good about it,” or “If I were lost, I would definitely feel like I was.” I’m sure we’ve all heard people talk or pray to God to give us a “feeling” so that we can be assured about the truth. I would say most of these people are sincere, but can a person really know and be completely sure they are right with God simply because they “feel” right?

How often do we follow our feelings in real life? How much progress or how much good does that do for us most of the time? For example, say you’re driving down a road, and you come to a split. You’re not entirely familiar with where you are, but you have a really good feeling about which way to go. You head that direction, only to find out later that is was the wrong way after all.

Or suppose that someone had never studied to become a surgeon, but they felt really good that they knew enough about the human body that they wanted to crack you open and perform heart surgery. Would you let them?

What if you were planning to travel by plane, but once you got there you realized the pilot had never studied or practiced flying, but he felt really good about his ability to wing it; would you still get on the plane?

Clearly, in all of these matters in life, our common sense demands facts, not just feelings. If you take decisions like these so seriously, then why not your soul – your salvation – your eternal destiny?

We read in Matthew 7 what will happen on the day of judgement to those who simply “feel good” about their salvation.

Matthew 7:21-23

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

These people were completely sure that they were right with God, but it turns out, their feelings were wrong. Jesus even says that He never knew them! Only that those obey the will of the Father will receive eternal salvation.

So – the answer to the question – No, it is not enough to have a “good feeling” about your salvation. We must know God and we must do His will if we want to enter into the glory of Heaven.

Feelings are not a valid indication or assurance of salvation. We must know God follow His commandments. Do you know God? Do you know His will? Are you keeping His commandments?