Know That You Know

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 John 2:3

Have you ever had anyone ask you, “How do you know you are saved?” or have you even doubted your own salvation? Sometimes doubting is a good thing because it makes us examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). The Bible tells us how we can examine ourselves and know beyond a shadow of doubt we are followers of Christ.

Here are five questions to ask examine yourself:

1. Have I experienced godly sorrow that produces repentance? Repentance is required for salvation, and it comes from godly sorrow over our sin: 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly sorrow produces death. There is a difference in worldly sorrow and godly sorrow

Basically, worldly sorrow is regret or shame, not because of the sin itself, but because of the consequences. It has no redemptive value. Godly sorrow on the other hand involves sorrow over the sin, because there’s understanding the sin was committed against a holy, loving God. Godly sorrow desires victory over sin, and as a result it produces a change of mind about the sin; a turning from it. Repentance.

2. Has my repentance produced fruit? Good fruit is that which is produced by the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 gives us a starting place, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The more we allow the Holy Spirit free rein in our lives, the more this fruit is evident (Galatians 5:16, 25). Jesus told His followers, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Righteous fruit has eternal benefit.

3. Has my faith persevered through trials? While none of us enjoy trials (which is why James 1:2 commands us to “count” them as joy versus “feel” joy), one of the blessings from them is the greater confidence they can give us in our salvation. James 1:3 says trials “test your faith.” In what sense? To see if it survives trials. In 1 Peter 1:7 we learn that trials “prove” or “reveal” the “genuineness of our faith.” When our faith survives trials we can rejoice regarding our faith being tested and proved. On the other hand, in Matthew 13:21 Jesus said the seed that fell on rocky ground didn’t survive when trials arose. Just as trials reveal the sincerity of faith, they also reveal when faith is insincere.

4. Is my life characterized by obedience? “Keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3) The term does not refer to the Mosaic Law but the commands of Christ. Under the new covenant God accepts believers loving and sincere, albeit imperfect obedience and He forgives our disobedience. God honoring obedience is really reflective of genuine love. Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep My commandments.

5. Do I practice sinning? Scripture does a tremendous job providing balance, and sin in a believer’s life is one of those balanced areas. John writes in 1 John 1:8, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We never stopping sinning completely and to believe differently is a lie, but at the same time Scripture makes clear that believers can’t have lives characterized by sin (1 John 1:6). John continues, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:3)” and “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him (1 John 3:6).” What John means is that a Christian cannot establish a pattern, or lifestyle of sin. That’s an impossibility for believers. We cannot practice sin.

These are just five ways to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. There are many other ways that I did not write here, but these five questions are a good way to assure you that you belong to Jesus Christ.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark