God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19 ESV)
Feelings
I do occasionally change my mind, but my feelings are usually in flux. Take Star Trek, for instance. At times I feel excited about the next new episode. At times I look forward to watching Star Trek at lunchtime. Other times, I am tired of the Star Trek universe. And occasionally, even considering an episode that I used to consider exciting and fun, I really just do not want to watch Kirk, or Picard, or Sisko, or Janeway, or even Spock.
While I might become lost in the spiral of feelings towards Star Trek (or my dog, or my car, or my phone, or my meals), how we feel about salvation has nothing to do with whether we ARE saved.
God saved Christians because He is gracious towards His people. That is an absolute. God’s methodology, God’s promises, God’s Grace do not change over time. God’s Grace is as sure as… well, nothing is as sure as God’s Grace!
But I do not always feel saved. I doubt my reaction to God. I doubt my growth in the Lord. I doubt my devotion to Him. I doubt that He is doing good in my life. I doubt He is doing good in my community. Sometimes I feel afraid, or insecure about God. Even though I know that Christ has promised never to leave me or forsake me, at times I feel alone. Even though I am cognizant that God saves by Grace, not as a reward of works, I wonder if Grace is strong enough to overcome the darkness of my history, or my today, or my tomorrow.
But those feelings do not change God’s saving work in my life. Those feelings, as legitimate and understandable as they are, do not matter the tiniest bit in determining my salvation. Those feelings are important in determining peace, joy, contentment, and understanding… but those feelings are not important in determining salvation.
God saves by Grace, not feelings.
And His Grace is absolute and sure, towards His people.
Grace alone.