The difference for the believer is the attitude toward sin and the response to it. No one reaches a state of sinless perfection in this world. “We all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). It is important here to recognize that, despite the Christian’s being a new creation in Christ, everyone still sins.

Hebrews 12:1 speaks of “sin that so easily entangles.” Many true Christians struggle against “besetting,” that is, habitual sins, and this may cause them to doubt their salvation. One reason people doubt their salvation is the presence of sin in their lives. So it is not automatic that the presence of doubt indicates a lack of salvation, or that the absence of doubt attests to salvation. Some genuine believers struggle with doubt, while some unbelievers who presume to be saved never have a doubting moment (and they will have a rude awakening someday-see Matthew 7:21–23). If you doubt your salvation, there are some steps you can take to find reassurance, dispel the doubts, and rest in the promises of God.įirst, it is good to know that whether or not you have doubts is not what determines your salvation.

There can be several causes of doubt, some valid and some not. Most believers, at one time or another, have doubted their salvation.

What does beyond shadow of doubt mean