Am I Truly Saved?

I’ve been a Christian for about 30 years. No, I don’t have an exact date to point to, but I do have a story. And maybe, if you’re wrestling with questions about your own salvation, mine will help you find clarity and peace.

Playing the Part Without the Heart

Before I came to Christ, I was already married to my husband Jeff—who had been a Christian most of his life. He begged me to let Jesus into my heart, and I can still remember the tug I felt while sitting in church beside him. I wanted to respond. I wanted to go forward and accept Jesus. But I didn’t. I was too embarrassed to let the “church people” know I wasn’t already saved. Funny thing is, they knew.

Still, I played the role well. I sang in the choir, I read Scripture when asked. I looked like a good church girl on the outside. But my heart wasn’t in the right place.

Eventually, Jeff urged me to meet with our pastor. We sat down in my in-laws’ basement, and he explained a few things about salvation. Then he said, “Okay, pray.”

I froze.

I hadn’t grown up in church and didn’t know what to say. I just stared at him, completely blank. He finally said, “Fine, repeat after me.” So I did.

But when I left that night, I knew nothing had changed. I had said words—but my heart wasn’t changed.

A Quiet Encounter with a Life-Changing Savior

A couple of nights later, Jeff and I were lying in bed. He was asleep, but I was wide awake—restless, unsettled. That’s when I knew I needed Jesus, truly and personally. Right there in the dark, without saying a word out loud, I cried out to Him with my heart and mind.

And something happened.

No fireworks. No angel choirs. But I knew deep down—I was saved.

I woke Jeff up and told him. He sleepily said, “You did that the other night.” But I knew this was different. This wasn’t just repeating words. This was surrender.

What Changed?

It wasn’t a dramatic transformation overnight, but over time, I began to see real change. I stopped cursing like a sailor. My anger issues began to fade. My views on things like abortion were completely transformed. I used to think it was a woman’s right. Now I believe every child is a miracle, and God has a plan for both mother and baby.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.”

I wasn’t perfect, but I was different. Changed. And that’s what salvation looks like.

How Do You Know You’re Saved?

One of the most sobering Scriptures I’ve ever read is Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus says:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven… Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

That verse hit me hard. These people did all the right religious things—but they didn’t know Jesus.

That was me once. I was doing all the things for God without having a relationship with Him. But the night I cried out to Jesus in my heart, everything changed.

Faith Is a Choice

Do I understand the entire Bible or how all of God’s plans work? Not even close. But I choose to believe this:

Jesus came to Earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for my sins, and rose from the dead. I wasn’t there to see it happen, but I choose to believe by faith.

Think of it like this: You read online that a Dairy Queen in the next town burned down. You didn’t see it, but you trust the source. Then you drive by and see the building boarded up. That’s your proof.

It’s the same with salvation. You read about Jesus. You hear the Gospel. Then, by faith, you choose to believe it. And over time, the proof shows up—changed thoughts, changed habits, a new heart.

Your Story Can Begin Today

If you’re unsure whether you’re truly saved, you don’t need a fancy prayer or a church pew to make it right. Jesus is ready to meet you right where you are.

Here’s a simple prayer to help guide you—not just words to repeat, but words to mean with all your heart:

Dear Jesus,

I know I’m a sinner and can’t seem to get things right but you don't care about that, You just want my surrender. Because You took all my sin, shame, and guilt to the cross so I wouldn’t have to carry it. I don’t understand a love like that—but I want to. Please come into my life, take my heart of stone, and give me a heart like Yours. I believe You died for me and rose again. I want to live for You and with You.

Amen

If you prayed that prayer and truly meant it, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or come join my Facebook community: Hope and Healing Christian Life Coaching.

You're not alone in your questions, your journey, or your faith. And your new beginning can start today.