HOW MUCH DO YOUR FEELINGS CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SALVATION?

SCRIPTURE:
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, 
no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  
(John 3:3)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m saved, but I don’t feel saved”?
Maybe you have even said it yourself.
We have to remember that we are saved by trusting in the finished work
of Jesus on the cross, and not by our feelings.

Does that mean there is no place for feelings in a saving faith?
There is always room for feelings in our faith, but we are not saved by them.
We may have feelings as a result of our saving faith, 
but feelings have never saved anyone.

Feelings may or may not lead to our salvation, 
but they are not the ingredients of our salvation.
Love is a feeling; joy is a feeling; inner peace is a feeling; 
love for others is a feeling; concern for the lost is a feeling; 
guilt is a feeling; being lost is a feeling.
However, salvation is not a feeling, although feelings may follow being saved.

Salvation is based on an experience – the experience of believing in Jesus Christ.
Satan would love to try to convince us 
that if our feelings are not there, then we have not been saved.
The scriptures do not mention anything about feelings being a part of salvation, 
so we must not let Satan succeed in causing us to doubt our salvation, 
when we have followed God’s requirements for being saved.

ACTION:
Have you followed God’s Word to receive His salvation?
If you have, then don’t get discouraged 
if you do not “feel” like you think you should feel.
Always remember that Satan will use whatever he can 
to try to cause you to doubt your salvation.
When he does, always turn to God’s Word and if necessary, 
repeat the scriptures to Satan.

Jesus recited scriptures in order to turn away Satan.
If it worked for Jesus, then certainly it will work for you.
If you have received God’s salvation, then hopefully you are experiencing 
an inner peace and you have noticed an increase in your capacity to love others.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me Your salvation. Help me to 
resist the negative thoughts Satan tries to generate in my mind to cause 
me to doubt I have been saved. Reveal to me the “fruits of the Spirit” in 
my life as confirmation that I have been saved and the Holy Spirit is living 
within me. God, I thank You that Your gift of redemption does not fluctuate
like my feelings. Thank You Jesus for making my salvation available!”