The evidence of salvation is not that on October 22nd, 19-- you said the
Sinners Prayer.
I feel that well-meaning preachers and evangelicals look back on some incantation as the moment we were saved. Because of this, many have doubts, and show little or nothing from their "Christian walk" besides condemnation and struggle. This is not salvation!
A preacher can pronounce you "saved." They can dip you in water and declare you cleansed. They can praise your faith when you tithe, or in your perfect attendance. The preacher can claim that you are Elect and Predestined from all Eternity, yet he really does not know.. that is not salvation. The only One that can confirm and tell you that you are saved is the Holy Spirit.
Salvation is not just the change of state in heavenly places, but change of nature here and now.
Conversion- can be a change of heart.
Regeneration- implies a change of nature, where you become a new creature in Christ Jesus. Being
Born-Again- speaks of the same, and implies that you are no longer the same as your were before.
Sanctification- is where if we are in the Vine (Jesus Christ) we will bear much fruit. God makes us holy; we can be the failure of Jesus working in and through us, but He is the One that causes us to be holy. (Jn. 1).
"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands." 1
John 2:3.
If our
Confession and Prayer of Repentance did not bring an immediate and radical change of nature from darkness to light, then we should have doubts. People telling you that failure is normal, and that your doubts are unfounded, are actually the one's that are keeping you from seeking the answer in God. No passage in Scripture gives genuine assurance unless God Himself confirms you are one of His!
"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:14-16.
Let no man claim any assurance of salvation apart from the fruit and testimony of the Spirit that they are a child of God.