Amendments and Salvation

Bible Reading: John 10:27-30

Tyler walked into the kitchen where his mom was preparing supper. They were going to a special program at church that night, so they would be eating earlier than usual.

Mom looked up and smiled. “Hi, Tyler. What have you been doing?”

Tyler pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down. “I’ve been reading,” he replied. “I’m learning some pretty cool stuff about the United States.”

“What kind of stuff?” Mom asked as she began mixing up a salad.

Tyler reached for the lettuce and started shredding it. “I found out that once a state approves an amendment to its constitution, it can’t change it. I guess the state has to be pretty sure that it agrees with the amendment!”

“That’s interesting,” Mom said.

“But what’s really interesting is that if a state rejects the amendment, it can change its mind later,” Tyler added. He sighed. Even though he had been reading all afternoon, he had been thinking about something else too.

“What’s wrong?” Mom asked, glancing at him over the salad bowl.

Tyler sighed again. “I don’t really want to go to the program tonight. Speakers at programs like that always make me feel like I’m not saved. I think that when I sin, I’ve lost my salvation and I have to ask Jesus to save me all over again.”

“Tyler, it doesn’t work that way,” Mom said gently. “If you have truly given your life to Jesus and He has saved you, you’re always saved.”

“Really?” asked Tyler.

“Yes. It’s like when you were talking about states amending their constitutions. Before a person is saved, they can reject the gospel over and over again, but there’s always hope that person will change their mind. Once you trust in Jesus as your Savior, there is no way to change it. You’ll still sin, but you just have to ask God to forgive you and He will.”

Tyler thought about that. “But how can I keep from sinning?”

“Once you’re saved, the Holy Spirit lives inside you and helps you follow God,” said Mom. “But you still have to choose to listen and obey what He says. It isn’t always easy, but even when you mess up, God will never give up on you.” – Julia Kicinski

How About You?

Are you ever afraid that you will lose your salvation? Do you feel like you can’t know if you’re really saved? Do you ever think God will give up on you because you sin too much? God loves you and will always forgive and help you. When you trust Him to be your Savior, He will hold you so tightly that you will never be lost again.

Today’s Key Verse:
John 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

Today’s Key Thought:

Salvation is forever