In a world where opinions are plentiful, it’s not uncommon to encounter individuals who, with misplaced confidence, declare who is or isn’t saved. Such statements are often made in response to doctrinal disagreements, cultural differences, or even personal preferences. However, the authority to determine salvation belongs solely to God. No pastor, teacher, or layperson has the right to proclaim with certainty whether someone else is saved. People, sometimes well-meaning, take it upon themselves to decide who is or isn’t going to heaven. They’ll point to what someone believes, how they live, or even how they interpret certain parts of the Bible as proof that they’re not “really saved.” But when we look at Scripture, it’s clear that salvation is not something humans have the authority to judge. That decision belongs to God alone.

The Bible teaches that salvation is a matter of the heart. It’s not about what others see on the outside, but about what God sees on the inside. In 1 Samuel 16:7, when Samuel was sent to choose the next king of Israel, God reminded him, “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” This truth doesn’t just apply to choosing a king—it applies to salvation, too. Only God truly knows who belongs to Him. Paul explains in Romans 10:9-10 that salvation comes through believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. No one else can see or judge what’s in your heart. That’s why no person, no matter how spiritual or knowledgeable, can rightly declare whether someone else is saved or not.

Unfortunately, people often confuse salvation with things that are outward—like specific practices, behaviors, or even misunderstandings of cultural or biblical commands. For example, in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul talks about women wearing head coverings during worship. In the culture of Corinth at the time, head coverings were a sign of modesty and respect. Paul wasn’t giving a universal command for all Christians everywhere to wear head coverings forever. He was addressing a cultural issue of the time to help Christians honor God and one another in their context. But some have taken passages like this out of context and turned them into rigid, legalistic rules. Worse, they’ve used these misinterpretations to judge whether someone else is truly saved. This kind of legalism completely misses the heart of the gospel.

Jesus faced similar issues in His ministry. The Pharisees were experts in the law and loved to point fingers at anyone who didn’t follow their rules. They judged people harshly and claimed their way was the only way to be right with God. But Jesus constantly challenged their self-righteous attitudes. In Matthew 7:1-2, He warned, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged.” When people start acting like gatekeepers of salvation, they’re stepping into a role that belongs to Christ alone. Jesus is the only one with the authority to save or condemn. In John 5:22, Jesus said, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” Declaring someone “not saved” is essentially claiming to know what only Jesus knows.

Salvation is simple, but we often make it complicated. At its core, salvation is about faith—believing that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is the only way to eternal life. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” No one earns salvation by being good enough or by following all the right rules. It’s a gift from God, freely given to anyone who believes in Jesus. This simplicity can be hard for some people to accept. They want to add extra requirements—rules about how to dress, what to say, or how to worship. But none of these things save us. They may be important expressions of faith, but salvation itself is entirely a work of God.

What, then, is our role as believers? If we’re not supposed to judge others’ salvation, what should we do instead? The answer lies in the Great Commission. Jesus gave His followers a clear mission: to go into all the world, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Our job is to plant seeds, share the good news of Jesus, and trust God to do the rest. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul wrote, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” We’re called to be faithful in sharing God’s Word and living it out, but it’s not up to us to decide who’s saved. That’s God’s work.

When we take it upon ourselves to judge someone’s salvation, we risk causing harm. Instead of encouraging others in their faith, we create division and discourage people from seeking God. Imagine a new believer who’s still learning and growing in their walk with Christ. If someone comes along and says, “You’re not really saved because you don’t do this or that,” it could lead to doubt, fear, or even turning away from faith altogether. That’s why Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:1 to correct others gently and with humility: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Our goal should always be to help others grow closer to God, not to tear them down.

Ultimately, our role as Christians is to point people to Jesus, not to play judge and jury over their salvation. We’re called to love others, speak the truth in love, and trust God to do the work in their hearts. Only God can see the whole picture. Only God knows the heart. And only God has the authority to save.

So, the next time you hear someone claim that another person isn’t saved, or you’re tempted to make such a statement yourself, remember this: It’s not your place. Your job is to share the gospel, live it out, and leave the rest to God. Salvation belongs to Him alone.