Have You Ever Doubted Your Salvation?

I hope your answer to that question is “Yes,” that at some time in your Christian experience you’ve questioned whether you are really one of Christ’s.

Why? Doubt can be a sign of health.

Charles Spurgeon brilliantly explains:

“I do not believe there ever existed a Christian yet, who did not now and then doubt his interest in Jesus. I think, when a man says, “I never doubt,” it is quite time for us to doubt him; it is quite time for us to begin to say, “Ah, poor soul, I am afraid you are not on the road at all, for if you were, you would see so many thing in yourself, and so much glory in Christ more than you deserve, that you would be so much ashamed of yourself, as even to say, ‘It is too good to be true.'” – Charles Spurgeon

I’m doubting. What now?

In one of my favourite quotes, Robert Murray McCheyne offers some simple yet very applicable advice for the doubting Christian:

“For every look at self—take ten looks at Christ!”

But what does that look like in practice? I believe Martin Luther illustrates this well as he offers advice to those feeling the accusations of the devil:

“When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means. For I know One who suffered and made a satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Where he is, there I shall be also.'” – Martin Luther

The call for one in doubt is to look to Christ, contemplate the Gospel afresh, and strive to take Gospel motivated baby steps of obedience.