Have you ever wondered what happens to a Christian who dies while living in a backslidden condition? It's an age old discussion, but what I'm far more concerned about is whether you are saved, and whether you are walking close to God right now! It's important that you know for sure that you have a real relationship with God through Christ. And thankfully you can be sure.

"But Skip," you might say, "I have doubts about my salvation."

Let's look at the things that might cause us to doubt. The most obvious reason a person might be unsure of their salvation is that the person is not saved! Oftentimes this happens when ritual has replaced really knowing the Lord--when ceremony becomes a substitute for true conversion. The question here is, "Does religious ritual mean I have a real relationship?"

Another reason people wonder whether they're really saved is because they've grown up hearing they won't know until they get to heaven. I've always thought, "Wouldn't that be a little late to find out?"

But I think most Christians fall into another category of doubt: We all go through periods when we don't feel the same intensity of emotion that we felt at one time in our Christian walk. Then we begin to question our salvation based on these feelings. The idea here is, "Does not feeling saved mean I'm not saved?"

However, contrary to popular belief you can know beyond a doubt that you are saved. And being secure in your relationship with Christ will make all the difference in your life. It affects your ability to pray powerfully; it makes a difference between victory and defeat in times of spiritual warfare; and it determines whether you are an effective witness for Christ.

So, how do we know who is saved? Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give them eternal life. They shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27). Have you answered Jesus' call to follow Him? Have you asked Him to be the Good Shepherd over your life? Then rest assured; you have received the gift of eternal life. God wants you to know that you are saved. Once saved, all He asks is that you stick close and follow Jesus with all of your heart. This is how you can live your life beyond a doubt.

Now a word to you who have backslidden, you who have wandered away from the guidance of the Shepherd and want to come back into His loving care. You might say, "Skip, you don't know how far off track I've gotten. Surely God won't take me back!" But here are three simple words from Him: "Return to Me" (Jeremiah 3:7). He will graciously restore you into full fellowship with Himself when you choose to repent, return, and remain with Jesus. The prophet Isaiah said to the Israelites, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength, but you would not" (Isaiah 30:15). I pray that God would not say of YOU, "But you would not."