Can Catholics Know They’re Saved? 18+ Bible Verses to Highlight for Assurance of Salvation

Can a Catholic really know they’re saved? If you’ve ever had a non-Catholic Christian ask you, “Are you saved?” or “Do you know you’re going to heaven?” — this post filled with Catholic Bible Highlights is for you.

Many Protestants, especially those who practice “sinner’s prayer salvation,” claim that assurance of salvation comes from simply praying a prayer and believing in Jesus. But is that really what the Bible teaches?

Start with 1 John 5:13 — But Don’t Stop There

Protestants love to quote 1 John 5:13:

I write this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13, RSV-2CE)

But notice what John actually says — he’s writing to believers so that they may know. And what has he written? The rest of the letter of 1 John lays out 17 powerful “ifs” — conditions for Christian assurance rooted in love, obedience, and perseverance.

Highlight These 17 “If” Statements in 1 John

Here’s a quick overview of the 17 verses from 1 John to highlight:

• 1 John 1:6 — If we say we have fellowship but walk in darkness, we lie.
• 1 John 1:7 — If we walk in the light, Jesus cleanses us.
• 1 John 1:8 — If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.
• 1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, God forgives us.
• 1 John 1:10 — If we say we haven’t sinned, we make God a liar.
• 1 John 2:1 — If anyone sins, we have an advocate in Jesus.
• 1 John 2:3 — If we keep His commandments, we know Him.
• 1 John 2:15 — If we love the world, the love of the Father isn’t in us.
• 1 John 2:19 — If they had belonged to us, they would have remained.
• 1 John 2:22 — Who is the liar, if not the one who denies Jesus?
• 1 John 2:24 — If what you heard remains in you, you remain in God.
• 1 John 2:29 — If you do right, you are born of God.
• 1 John 3:19-20 — If our hearts condemn us, God is greater.
• 1 John 3:21 — If our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness before God.
• 1 John 4:12 — If we love one another, God lives in us.
• 1 John 4:20 — If someone says “I love God” but hates his brother, he’s a liar.
• 1 John 5:5 — Who conquers the world? The one who believes in Jesus.

Assurance the Catholic Way: Faith Working Through Love

True assurance of salvation isn’t about presumption — it’s about perseverance. Catholics absolutely believe that we can have confidence in our salvation, but only by living a life of loving obedience, walking in the light, repenting of sin, and holding fast to Christ.

As St. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:6:

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.

Bottom Line for Catholics

When someone asks, “Are you saved?” you can boldly answer: “I believe in Jesus. I follow Jesus. And, as the Bible teaches, I am saved, am being saved, and I will be saved… IF! Would you like to see what I mean by, “IF?”

Keep Highlighting Your Bible!

This is what biblical assurance of salvation looks like — Catholic to the core. Keep learning. Keep highlighting. Keep following Jesus.