Salvation is rich
Additionally, while I still believe in eternal security, I have also recently come to realize just what an intensely rich gift salvation is - or rather - I've got a hint of that - which has stopped me dead in my tracks. It made me re-think life. It also made me incredibly insecure. How unworthy I am of such a great gift! How little I deserve it. How paltry are all my efforts. Lord, have mercy on my soul, and remember me when You come into Your kingdom.
I've found some verses that have comforted me, regarding eternal security. I hope these help you too, if you struggle with it.
I particularly like the verses in Luke about the crucified criminal. He could do no good deeds to make up for the sins in his life - he was being killed that day - but he looked to Jesus and the Lord told him that he would be with Him in paradise.
How can I know I am saved?
Romans 5:9-10, 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Romans 5:17, 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
1 John 4:13-15, 13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
Luke 23:39-43, 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Ephesians 2:4-10, 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.