First off, this is a valid question. It is good that you are asking this, because it is very important, with eternal ramifications (consequences). Every one of us are in 1 of these 4 categories. There could be a 5th—namely one who does not even know what Christianity is; therefore Not a Christian and doesn’t know it—but we will limit this post to these 4:
- Not a Christian and know it.
- Believe they are a Christian but are not.
- Are a Christian but are unsure about it.
- Are a Christian and know it.
Let’s look at these 4 states (conditions) in which humanity finds themselves (whether we realize it, admit it, or not):
Not a Christian and know it
This person knows they are “lost” and do not profess to trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. They would not ask themselves “Am I really saved?” in the Christian sense, because they admit they do not (currently) believe in such a gospel.
Are a Christian and know it
This person knows (or fully hopes and believes) they are saved (born again) because they remember the day (even if not an exact date) when they not only surrendered to God, but had a genuine conversion experience by the Holy Spirit which involved a remorseful repentance of sin, a child-like faith put in Jesus Christ, with an open confession and profession of the new birth—and currently have a relationship with the Savior both inwardly and outwardly through prayer, the Bible, and obedience (good works).
Notice that usually persons in both of these above categories know they are lost or saved based on their own thoughts, words, and deeds. More importantly, by their relationship (or lack thereof), specifically with the Lord Jesus Christ.
In contrast, those who “Believe they are a Christian but are not” have no true relationship with Christ but believe they do (thus fool themselves), while those who “Are a Christian but are unsure about it” have an adoptive relationship with God through Christ but do not embrace it (thus doubt it).
An example of those who “Believe they are a Christian but are not” is found in Matthew 7:21-23. These are not persons who somehow lost their salvation, but those who were never truly saved at all.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
If you are asking yourself “Am I really saved?” it is most likely for one of two reasons: The Holy Spirit is convicting you because you are really lost, or the Holy Spirit is convicting you because you are not in a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares we are not saved by works (that is we cannot earn salvation in and of ourselves), but verse 10 proves we are not to simply believe (or that putting faith in) praying a prayer, making a decision, or asking Jesus to come into our hearts—at one moment in our lives—secures or is the end of our salvation and obedience to Christ.
James 2 tells us that “faith without works is dead” just as “the body without the spirit is dead.” No, works (even our “good” works) do not save us nor keep us saved, but they are our fruit which we bare before the world, ourselves, and God. Matthew 7:10 says “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Our fruit (our works) will expose us for who we really are. This is both our spiritual works (which others may not see) and our physical works (which others may see). Our lack of godly fruit (the living out biblical obedience) is a sign, a proof, of our lack of spiritual rebirth or spiritual obedience.
The call to the lost (the unbeliever) is:
Repent and believe! Bring forth fruit that shows your repentance and faith.
The call to the saved (both to those who doubt and those who know) is:
Repent and believe! Bring forth fruit that shows your repentance and faith.
Repentance should not stop until we sin no more, which shall be at our death or the coming of Christ. Believing should not stop until our faith is made sight, which shall be at our death or the coming of Christ. Our fruit (bearing the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23) should not stop until we can no longer work the works of God, which shall be at our death or the coming of Christ.
There is no reason to doubt.
Walk in the fellowship of the Lord daily, in heart, soul, mind, and strength.
No comments:
Post a Comment