"That ye may know that ye have eternal life"

“These things have I written unto you

that believe on the name of the Son of God;

that ye may know that ye have eternal life,

and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

1 John 5:13

Thinking about the time and the events surrounding the day I was saved, I sometimes consider the following questions and I am blessed when I do.  God saved me but:  Why?  How?  Where was I?  What happened in me?

Why?  I may never know the complete answer, but I know He saved me because He loved me, and I knew I was a sinner and called on Him to save me. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and God simply kept His promise: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved… and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (Romans 10:13 John 6:37)

How?  By the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lamb without blemish, by the sinless blood that He shed for me.  By His grace through faith when I called on His name – that is how and the only way any of us can be saved. (John 3.16, John 1.35, 2 Corinthians 5.21, Ephesians 2.8)

Where was I?  I remember “where” I was, as in, I remember the place, but more importantly I remember the places and events that led up to my being saved.  I remember that I was on my way to hell.  I remember that I knew I could not save myself.  I remember seeking the Lord.  

What happened in me?  Things changed.  Some things changed immediately, and some things changed over time. I was clearly aware of right and wrong in a way I had not been before.  I had something in me that guided me and helped me do right.  I had changed and continued to change from the inside out. (Romans 2.4, 7.13, 2 Corinthians 5.17)

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life”