One of my favorite questions we received for our Q & A series was, "How do I know I'm really a Christian?".  Having asked this question myself on a number of occasions, I thought I'd respond to it here on my blog.

To begin with, here are some common reasons people doubt their salvation:

1. They want to feel something.
Being a Christian does not require that you always feel like a Christian.

2. They are struggling with certain sins.
Being a Christian does not require perfect performance.  It is by grace, through faith that we are saved.

3. They can't recall the exact date, time, and place.
I know many great Christians who can't point to an exact experience, but who are clearly followers of Christ.

4. They feel like they haven't done enough.
We're not saved by what we contribute, but by what Christ has done.

So how can you really know?  I'm convinced that Scripture tells us we can know that we are saved.

I write these things to you who believe in the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13


John clearly suggests that we can know for certain that we are Christians, and that we have eternal life.  Earlier in 1st John he gives us three keys telling us how we can know.

1. We have remorse for sin, and desire holiness.
No one who has been born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him...
1 John 3:9


John's not suggesting that we will never sin again, but that we will not continue to live in patterns of unconfessed sin.  He suggests that because God's seed lives in us we will desire what God wants rather than what we want.

2. We are growing in our love for God & others.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8


This is a theme that is throughout the New Testament.  Christians love others.  How is your love for others?


3. We sense it inside.
And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
1 John 3:24

 
While you might not always feel like you're a Christian, you can have an assurance that you are.

I'd simply say that if you lack these in your life to ask youself if the following is true:

1. I've confessed my sin, and understand that it separates me from God.
2. I've trusted in Jesus alone for my salvation.
3. I've put my faith in Jesus, and am not relying on my works or good deeds to save me.

How about you?  Have you ever questioned your salvation?
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