How can I be sure that I am a Christian?

• It is possible to be sure ?
  • The Apostle John makes this quite clear. 1 Jn 5:13
  • This is why we are called to examine ourselves 2 Cor 13:5
  • The New Testament is full of references to being sure. Rom 8:38-39, Phil 1:6, 1 Thess l:4, 5:9, 2 Tim 1:12, 1 Jn 3:1-3.
  • Much of the New Testament wouldn't make sense if we couldn't be sure. e.g. teaching on soul winning?, being holy longing for heaven etc.
  • Many early Christians were martyrs - they were sure ! 1 Tim 4:6-8.
• Some things that need saying
  • Some people are sure who have no business to be! They do not have a right understanding of what a true Christian is, or, they are counterfeit Christians. See Matthew 7:20-23.
  • Some people who should be sure are not, usually believers who have not had much teaching, or, believers who have something wrong with their lives ( see Psalm 51:11-12).
  • Some people, of course, are not sure because they are just not true Christians.
• How, then, can I be sure??
  • The promises of God.
  • God cannot lie. Titus 1:2,
  • All His promises are true. 2 Cor 1:20, Jn 17:17, Psalm 19:7.
  • Take John 3:16.
  • Do you believe this teaching?
  • Have you put your faith in the Son of God?
  • Then GOD says that you are no longer perishing, and that eternal life is yours.
  • Now take John 5:24. Romans 10:9-10. Revelation 3:20,
  • But even this is not enough.
  • Our hearts are so wicked that we can be self-deceived, and have a false assurance. Titus 1:16.
• There is another way of assurance :-
  • The proof of our daily life.
  • Test 1. Believing the right things ( 1 Jn 3:22-25).
    • Do you believe Jesus to be :- the Christ? 5:1
    • the Son of God? 5:4-5
    • the One who came in the flesh? 4:2
  • Test 2: A changed and godly life. 1 Jn 2:29, 3:10.
    • Do you :- obey God's commands? 2:3-6, 3:24.
    • forsake the spirit of the world? 2:15-17, 5:5,19.
    • cease from habitual sin? 3:5-6,9.
  • Test 3: Love for the brethren. 1 John 3:14.
    • Do you love other Christians? 3:10-18, 4:7-8, 11-12, 20-21.

If you pass these tests you are most certainly a Christian, however unworthy you feel. 3:19.

You may expect, at length, to experience the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, assuring you that you are a child of God, sealed to the day of redemption. Gal 4:6, Rom 8:15-l6, Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Cor 1:21-22.

If you do not pass these tests, you are most certainly NOT a true Christian 1:6, 2:4, 3:6, 4:20.

You need to call on God to save you, without delay.

Once a Christian is sure, his whole life is transformed !
    by joy 1 Pet 1:8, 1 Jn 1:4
    by the absence of wrong fear before God. 1 Jn 4:17-19.
    by new confidence in approaching God. 1 Jn 3:19-22, 5:14-15.