Church of Christ Sermon - Can I Know I'm Saved?

Can I Know I’m Saved?

Primary Text: II Peter 3:9

Introduction

Jesus wants everyone to be saved. As Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Salvation has been made available to all. Jesus came to be “the Savior of the world” (John 4:42). Yet even those who follow Him still stumble and sin (I John 1:8). The question then arises: Can I truly know that I am saved? The Bible gives us the answer.

Is Assurance Possible?

The apostle Paul spoke with certainty concerning his salvation. He said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (II Timothy 1:12). Paul had sinned, yet he lived in confident assurance because of his faith and obedience to Christ.

John also wrote to instill this same confidence in Christians. “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life” (I John 5:13). The word know expresses certainty. Salvation is not a vague hope but a confident expectation for the faithful child of God. The one who walks with Christ can face eternity without fear.

However, Scripture is equally clear that the unfaithful Christian has no such hope. “If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26). A Christian can indeed fall from grace. Paul warned the Galatians, “You have become estranged from Christ… you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4). Peter urged believers, “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (II Peter 1:10). Assurance is possible, but only for those who remain steadfast in faith and obedience.

What About Sins of Ignorance or Weakness?

Faithful Christians need not live in fear of being lost every time they stumble. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27–28). No one can forcibly remove the Christian from God’s hand, yet a person can choose to walk away. Salvation is secure for those who continue walking with Christ.

The faithful believer finds comfort in knowing that salvation does not depend on being sinlessly perfect. John wrote, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7). This continual cleansing is the privilege of those whose hearts remain true to God. Cecil May Jr. once explained that if our heart and walk are in harmony with God’s will, He forgives as we walk in the light, not only when we specifically confess each failure. The Christian does not pass from “saved” to “lost” and back again many times each day.

Guy N. Woods taught that this passage describes a state of grace, not human perfection. The blood of Christ continually cleanses sins of weakness and ignorance as we remain faithful. God does not ask us to be flawless but to be faithful. Solomon said, “There is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Yet Peter urges believers to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless” (II Peter 3:14). David declared the blessedness of the forgiven man: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:8). For the faithful Christian, the Lord does not hold such sins against him.

What Does It Mean to Be a Faithful Christian?

Faithfulness is not perfection; it is consistency in godliness. A faithful Christian practices forgiveness toward others. Jesus said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14–15). Refusing to forgive others places our own forgiveness in jeopardy.

Faithfulness also involves honesty before God. David prayed, “Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19:12–13). A faithful person confesses known sins and prays for help regarding those that are hidden or forgotten. God hears that prayer and forgives.

Finally, faithfulness demands perseverance. Jesus said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). The faithful Christian continues to grow, to learn, and to pursue holiness. Peter wrote, “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (I Peter 1:14–15). Faithfulness is the pursuit of holiness through continual obedience, humility, and love for God.

Conclusion

Our salvation rests not on our merit but on Christ’s mercy. No one is good enough to enter heaven by personal perfection. Salvation is by grace through faith. God forgives and saves the faithful child who walks in the light and strives daily to serve Him. Brother V. P. Black said it beautifully: “The man of whom God will not mark up his mistakes, his blunders, his shortcomings, is this faithful, dedicated child of God who is walking in the light, giving his best to the Master, doing his very best to serve God.”

Assurance is not arrogance—it is confidence in the promises of God. The Christian who continues to walk in the light, forgives others, and trusts in the power of Christ’s blood can know he is saved.

Can I Know I’m Saved? Sermon Outline

I. The Desire of God for Salvation (II Peter 3:9; John 4:42)

• God desires that all come to repentance.
• Jesus’ mission as Savior of the world shows the inclusiveness of grace.
• Salvation is made possible for all, yet not all will accept it.
• The question “Can I know I’m saved?” must be answered in light of God’s universal desire for redemption.

II. Assurance for the Faithful (II Timothy 1:12; I John 5:13)

• Paul’s certainty: “I know whom I have believed.” His assurance was rooted in trust, not self-righteousness.
• John’s purpose in writing was to provide believers confidence: “that you may know.”
• To “know” means to rest securely in God’s promises and character.
• Assurance is the birthright of the obedient believer who continues in faith.

III. The Reality of Falling Away (Hebrews 10:26–27; Galatians 5:4; II Peter 1:10)

• Willful sin removes one from fellowship with Christ.
• Falling from grace is possible when faith becomes inactive or disobedient.
• Diligence and perseverance safeguard the soul.
• Assurance must be guarded by continued faithfulness and obedience.

IV. The Comfort for the Faithful (John 10:27–29; I John 1:6–7)

• Jesus’ sheep are secure while they follow the Shepherd’s voice.
• Salvation cannot be stolen; it can only be surrendered.
• Walking in the light means living in harmony with God’s truth.
• The blood of Christ continually cleanses the faithful of sins of ignorance and weakness.
• Faithful Christians live in a state of grace, not perfection—continual fellowship, continual forgiveness.

V. The Nature of Grace (Ecclesiastes 7:20; II Peter 3:14; Romans 4:6–8)

• Human imperfection is universal—“There is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.”
• God’s expectation is diligence, sincerity, and pursuit of peace with Him.
• David describes the blessedness of those whose sins are forgiven and covered.
• Grace does not license sin but motivates holiness.

VI. Marks of a Faithful Christian (Matthew 6:14–15; Psalm 19:12–13; Revelation 2:10; I Peter 1:14–16)

• A forgiving spirit—our own forgiveness depends on it.
• A humble, confessing heart—asking God to cleanse even hidden faults.
• Perseverance under trial—“Be faithful until death.”
• A holy lifestyle—patterned after the holiness of God.
• True faithfulness means consistent growth, repentance, and gratitude.

VII. The Basis of Assurance (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 5:1–2; Hebrews 10:22)

• Salvation rests on Christ’s sacrifice, not personal achievement.
• Faith grants peace and access to grace.
• A pure conscience comes from continued obedience and trust.
• Assurance grows stronger as one matures in faith and holiness.

VIII. Living with Confidence (Philippians 1:6; I John 3:19–21)

• God will complete His work in those who remain faithful.
• Confidence removes fear and doubt.
• Assurance brings peace, stability, and strength in service.
• The faithful Christian can die with certainty of heaven.

Call to Action

Examine your walk with God today. Are you living in obedience, forgiving others, and walking in the light? Assurance is not found in perfection but in faithfulness. If you are in Christ, serving Him daily, and trusting in His grace, you can know—without doubt—that you are saved. If you have wandered, return to His fold while the door of mercy remains open.

Key Takeaways

• Assurance of salvation is promised to those walking in the light (I John 1:7).
• Faithful Christians can know they are saved (I John 5:13).
• Sins of weakness are covered through continual cleansing.
• Faithfulness requires forgiveness, humility, and perseverance.
• Salvation rests in Christ’s grace, not our merit.

Scripture Reference List

• II Peter 3:9 – God desires all to be saved.
• John 4:42 – Jesus is the Savior of the world.
• I John 1:8 – All have sinned.
• II Timothy 1:12 – Paul’s confidence in salvation.
• I John 5:13 – Assurance for believers.
• Hebrews 10:26–27 – Warning against willful sin.
• Galatians 5:4 – Falling from grace.
• II Peter 1:10 – Make your calling and election sure.
• John 10:27–29 – The security of faithful followers.
• I John 1:6–7 – Walking in the light and cleansing.
• Ecclesiastes 7:20 – Universal imperfection.
• Romans 4:6–8 – The blessedness of forgiveness.
• Matthew 6:14–15 – Forgive others to be forgiven.
• Psalm 19:12–13 – Confession of hidden sins.
• Revelation 2:10 – Faithfulness until death.
• I Peter 1:14–16 – Be holy as God is holy.