Trump Says He’s Unsure about Going to Heaven — What Christians Can Learn about Assurance of Faith

Spiritual Life

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By Amber Ginter, Crosswalk.com

In light of recent events, one declaration has our nation questioning: Is my salvation sure? In Trump's recent declaration that he's not Heaven-bound, even the best saints are frazzled.

On October 12, 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines after admitting in a public interview that he doesn't believe he will go to Heaven. Appearing pessimistic about his prospects in the afterlife, he spoke to reporters days after losing his long-running bid to win the Nobel Peace Prize:

"I don’t think there’s anything [that’s] going to get me in heaven. Okay? I think I’m not maybe heaven-bound" noted Trump. And when asked about faith and eternity, his answer shocked many: “I may be in heaven right now as we fly in Air Force One. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people,” he went on.

Not only have Trump's comments sparked widespread conversation online, but from Christians expressing concern all over the world. Some are now doubting Trump's ability to lead, but also their own concerns with his honesty. This moment has raised a larger question—how can anyone know for sure if they’re heaven-bound?

How Do You Know If You’re Going to Heaven?

Sadly, many seem to share the same belief system as Trump: They fear they're not really saved, or feel that they have to exemplify enough works to earn or gain salvation.

"If I can save 7,000 people a week from being killed, I think that’s a pretty—I want to try and get to heaven if possible,” Trump reported. Mistaken, Trump has confused free salvation, offered to all through Jesus Christ, with something we can earn: "I’m hearing I’m not doing well. I hear I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole. If I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons.”

According to Scripture, true and eternal salvation doesn't work this way. It's not about "earning" our way into Heaven, doing a certain number of good deeds, or being "good." In fact, the Bible warns against these types of teachings. If we could save ourselves, Jesus wouldn't have had to come and die on the cross for our sins. Again, I digress, assurance isn't about good works or personal merit. And Jesus wants us to be sure of our salvation. 1 John 5:13 says it this way: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (NIV).

In our culture, however, we've gotten this backwards. We've believed the lie that we need to somehow work, earn, or buy our way into Heaven. But folks, salvation is free. It's an act of our will to believe, and while yes, our actions should align with Christ, we're saved by grace through faith.

In Romans 10:9-10, we read these words: "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved" (NIV). Put more plainly, salvation comes by openly stating you believe in Jesus, declaring He's Lord over your life, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. Our heart believes and our actions profess this.

As the passage continues, verses 11-13 confirm this point: "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (NIV). But again, "how can people know this true salvation message if they've never been told?" (verse 14-15).

In 2025, there's a cultural assumption that "good people go to Heaven." I've attended numerous funerals and heard this belief, but biblical truth harshly contrasts this point: True salvation comes by faith through grace. It sounds simple, and it is and isn't. I've wrestled with doubt about eternity for years, and I know other Christians who do as well. So, where does this leave us?

If you live your life according to Romans 10, there are three assurances I believe every Christian can trust in. These biblical truths don't just comfort our souls, but help us look to truth in a world persuaded by political advocates and social media hype.

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Here Are 3 Assurances Every Christian Can Trust In

1. We Can Trust God's Promise

In John 10:28, we're told that if we belong to Jesus, no one will be able to snatch us out of His hand. God keeps His Word, and the Words we read in the Bible are true. God never waivers or changes, and if He says something, it will come true. James 1:17 is one of my favorite passages about His immutability, and it reads this way:

"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled about this. Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created" (ERV).

In times of doubt, these verses encourage me because they remind me that God's salvation is a free gift given to all (Ephesians 2:8-9). He promised that He gives us every good gift, and of those gifts, salvation is His top priority for us. Why? Because as verse 18 reminds us, we've been given His message of life so that we—His children—can be the most important of all that He created.

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2. We Can Trust Faith, Not Feelings

While I'm a firm believer that feelings are signals that can help us understand the world, we should never evaluate or measure our faith on feelings. Assurance in Christ, especially, isn't based on the Sunday high, Holy Spirit goosebumps, or how into the Bible Study you felt. No, biblical assurance is rooted in Christ's finished work on the cross for our sins, not emotion or performance.

As Grace Provoked defines it best: "Faith is not a feeling, but rather something that can be present regardless of how we feel, and it can operate despite the worst of feelings." Again, God is the same yesterday, today, and always. Hebrews 13:8 writes, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV).

Regardless of your bad mood, lack of feelings, or abundance of them, God sees and loves you the same. He doesn't judge your salvation on how you feel, and neither should you. Because while feelings are fickle, come and go, and are unreliable, salvation is rooted in the objective truth of God's promises and unchanging Word.

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3. We Can Trust the Spirit's Testimony

In Romans 8:16, Paul tells us that the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. This passage explaining life in the Spirit explains that if we are in Christ, we, therefore, have no condemnation separating us from God. Sin once separated us, but Jesus is the solution:

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:1-4, NIV).

Friends, eternal life is a promise we can cling to, not a prize we must earn. And contrary to many highly esteemed figures, we know the truth, and the truth can set us free. Billy Graham, a leading evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts featuring live sermons became well known in the 20th century, summarizes salvation best this way:

"Salvation is free to us, but it cost Jesus His life. It will also cost the sinner his or her sins when a person receives His gift. This does not mean that we have to clean up our lives in order to be saved. The Lord knows we don’t have the power to do that. But we must come to Him in repentance, and then His Holy Spirit will take up residence and empower us to walk away from sin. That’s why Jesus paid for our sins with His blood—to set us on a new path."

How to Talk about Heaven and Salvation with Others

As Christians, it's our responsibility to share the truth of this topic with others. Through gentleness and clarity, let us seek to follow the advice of 1 Peter 3:15-16: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander" (NIV).

If you're struggling with assurance, I want to remind you that you're not alone. I would also highly recommend the book Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart by J.D. Greear. It sounds controversial, but it is truly one of the best-versed books on this topic. Finally, I want you to know that not only are your doubts normal, but your doubts don't disqualify faith; they invite you into deeper trust.

For ministering to non-Christians, be open to answering their questions. If you don't know the answer, seek to find it. Focus on grace and not guilt. Share your personal testimony and show them Scriptures about God's love. Because while events like Trump's candid comment may open doors for more honest spiritual discussions in our culture, it's important to know the truth and share that truth with others. Be prepared, in and out of season, to have these conversations and watch lives be radically changed and redeemed.

At the end of the day, friends, only God knows the heart, but Scripture invites all people to find peace in Christ. Yes, all people means everyone. Even Trump, and even those you don't like.

Let 1 John 5:13 be our closing prayer: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life" (NIV). I quote these words so that you may know. Examine your heart, trust in Jesus' promise, and then share that hope with the world.