The question is rather simple: Can a person really know if they have eternal life? In other words, can we know if we will spend eternity with God in heaven? I have heard it said that no one can truly know. We do our best on this earth and pray it has been good enough to grant us entrance into the Kingdom. If our good outweighs the bad we are in. If our bad outweigh the good, well, it is going to be a very long and hot eternity. I strongly disagree with that viewpoint. In fact, I believe that a person can know they have eternal life and should know they have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.” The apostle plainly states that he wrote this book to give us the assurance we need in this life. The following are a few tests that John lays forth so we might know we have eternal life.
1. Are you convicted of sin? (1:6)
2. Do you confess sin? (1:8, 10)
3. Do you keep His commands? (2:4) See 3:23 for His command.
4. Do you walk like Jesus? (2:6)
5. Do you love the brethren? (2:10-11)
6. Do you sin less? (3:6,9)
7. Are you more loving? (4:7)
8. Do you acknowledge Jesus is the Son of God? (4:15)
9. Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? (5:1)
10. Do you overcome? (5:4)
Assurance breeds confidence. Confidence brings about spiritual victories. Spiritual victories bring glory to God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to life a life that continually brings glory to God? Do you know you are saved? Is your assurance based upon an event that happened many years ago? Are you seeing evidence of Jesus in your life today? You can know if you are saved and secure in Christ. Look at your walk objectively. If you have any questions, drop me an email. I would love to walk you through the process of being certain of your eternal state.
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