Read: Titus 3:3-8

You serve the Lord, don’t you? That means that you believe the Bible, and that you love the Lord. You believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, and you want to live for the Lord every day. But how can you know that you will always serve the Lord? Do you sometimes wonder if you will still be serving the Lord when you are an adult? Do you sometimes doubt whether Christ died for you?

The new believers that Paul writes to in this letter to Titus would have had the same thoughts. They too may have wondered how they could keep serving the Lord and not go back to their sinful lifestyles.

But God tells us in these verses that we can be sure of our salvation because our love for the Lord doesn’t come from ourselves. We serve the Lord because God has chosen us, and Christ has come and worked for us. The Holy Spirit has been poured out and is working in your heart. It is only because of Christ’s work and death and the Holy Spirit that you belong to the Lord. You serve the Lord because he chose you and made you love him. This is a miracle, but it is true.

If you look at your own life and see your own sins and your own doubts, and then wonder if you are good enough to belong to God, the answer is this: no, you are not good enough. Verse 5 says that our works can’t save us. But thankfully we are saved because of God’s work in us. That is exactly why Christ had to come to earth. He came to save us because we can’t save ourselves.

So whenever you have doubts, or wonder if you are saved, go to God’s Word and read about God’s love for sinners like you. Know that your works can’t save you, but God’s work in you is what makes you love and serve him. God will never, ever let go of his own children!

Reflection with your child:

How can you be sure that you are saved?

Source: Sermon by Rev. R. Vermeulen