The Bible tells us that very few people are truly saved. Matthew 22:14 states "For many are called, but few chosen." Matthew 7:14 says "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Very few people will make it into heaven; many will be surprised when they don't. So how can you determine if you are saved?
God wants you to know whether or not you are saved. 1 John 5:13 tells us, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
From the Bible here are some ways to determine if you are saved:
Test #1: Profound Change In Your Life
True salvation will provide real change in our lives. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." As the Holy Spirit works in our life, our desires, attitude and actions will change. As an ambassador, representing the most high kingdom of God, we will no longer feel comfortable using off-color language, tolerating sexual innuendos and generally living the life we did before. If there were no changes in our life, then there was no salvation - you are not part of the saved few.
Test #2: Your Attitude Toward Sin
Test #2 goes with Test #1 above. The profound change in your life comes from the Holy Spirit working within you to change your attitude toward sin.
1 John 3:9 tells us, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." This verse means a Christian will not live in sin nor practice sin. It does not mean a Christian will never sin. We all sin but it is our attitude toward sin that tells who we really are.
A real Christian hates sin and when he falls into sin, he wants to get out as soon as possible (think of falling into a septic tank). He's striving to stay away from sin not to be saved but because he is saved and loves God. A Christian may lapse into sin but he doesn’t leap into sin like he did before salvation. A Christian’s desire is to live holy and godly.1
Test #3: Obey God's Word
Do you keep God's commandments? 1 John 2:3 tells us, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." The Greek word translated "keep" in verse 3 speaks of watchful, careful, thoughtful obedience. It involves not only the act of obedience, but also the spirit of obedience--a willing, habitual safeguarding of the Word, not just in letter but in spirit.2
Test #4: Holy Spirit Lives In You
From 1 John 4:13 we know, “Hereby we know that we dwell in Him and He in us, because He hath given us of His spirit”. The proof of the Holy Spirit in you is not the gifts of the spirit but rather the “fruit of the spirit” found in Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”1
Test #5: Love God, Not The World
1 John 2:15 makes it clear that we are to “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him”. Which do you love most: The things of the world or the things of God?
How do you spend your money, time and energy? Where is your heart? The Bible says, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” What you love most is the God of your life. The Bible says, “you can not serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other.”1
Test #6: Love For The Brethren
1 John 3:14 "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." Do you have a great love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you like spending time with them discussing the things of God, or would you rather be with your secular friends and family?
Test #7: Not Ashamed Of Jesus
Romans 10:11 "For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Are you embarrassed when the name of Jesus comes up? Do you ever bring up Jesus with unsaved friends and family?
Test #8: Saved Testify of Jesus
John 5:39 takes it one step further "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." When in a group of unbelievers are you willing to share your faith and tell them what Jesus has done for you in your life? Share the salvation message?
Test #9: God Disciplines His Children
When you sin, is there remorse, regret or a dark cloud hanging over you? When you continue in the same sin do bad things happen to you? Hebrews 12:8 tells us "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons." God will not let his children live in sin. First you will get gentle warnings in the form of remorse and regret, but if you continue in sin. God will ramp up the chastisement.
Test #10: In Christ Alone
Are you trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone? John 14:6 states, "... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." It is through His death, burial and resurrection that redemption is available for all those that will receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is through the gift of grace that our Lord makes this available to anyone who will receive it by faith.
Or, are you trusting in your good works? Romans 3:12 tells us, "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." There is nothing you can do, including saying the 'Sinners Prayer' that can save you. Salvation comes only In Christ Alone.
Conclusion
The test is pass/fail, with only two grades 100% or 0%. So how did you do? Will you be one of the very few that see the kingdom of God? If not, there is good news. God's grace is still available. Click here to learn how you can experience salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
In Christ alone!
Sources:
1 God’s Salvation Test
2 Is It Real? 11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation
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