How to know if you are a Christian

Have you ever thought "Am I really saved"?  I guess at some point, lots of folks have questioned their salvation or faith.  I will say this, without getting too preachy, your salvation is a very personal issue.  You are the only one who knows if your faith is real.  No one else can tell you, if you're saved.  Just because your Mama, Daddy or Grandma is a Christian doesn't mean you are, its a life changing decision that you personally make.

Evidentally, many people question their salvation because the John McArthur Study Bible has 2 lists for you to consider.  The lists are as follows...

List One

  Evidences that neither Prove or disprove ones faith

A.  Visible Morality  Matt. 19:16-21 and 23:27

B. Intellectual Knowledge  Romans 1:21 and 2:17

C.  Religious Involvement  Matt. 25: 1-10

D. Active Ministry  Matt. 7: 21-24

E.  Conviction of Sin  Acts 24:25

F. Assurance  Matt. 23

G.  Time of Decision  Luke 8: 13-14

List Two

The Proofs of Authentic Christianity

A.  Love for God  Romans 8:7

B.  Repentance from Sin  1John 1:8-10

C.  Genuine Humility  Matt. 5: 1-2

D. Devotion to God's Glory  1 Corinthians 10:31

E.  Continual Prayer  James 5: 16-18

F.  Selfless love  1John 2:9, 3:14, and 4:7

G.  Separation from the World  1John 2:15-17, 5:5

H.  Spiritual Growth  Ephesians 4: 12-16

I.  Obedient Living   1Peter 2: 13

J. Hunger for God's Word   1Peter 2:13

K. Transformation of Life  2 Corinthians 5:17

If list One is true and List Two isn't true in your life, there is cause to questions the validity of one profession of faith.

If List Two is true, then the 1st list will be also.

There are lots of folks in churches that are very active, involved, there everytime the door opens,  leading Sunday School classes and ministries that realize "they aren't saved".  Some sit there for years, Sunday after Sunday, and know they don't have a relationship with the Lord.  It takes lots of courage for these people to humble themselves before the church and the Lord, and make a Profession of Faith.  I've seen this happen in our church 2 times in the last 9 months.  

Here is a little bit more from Thomas Watson (a Puritan Pastor/Writer)

1.  Do you cry out at sin, being burdened with it, as an exceedingly bitter thing?

2. Do you fly from sin, as from the face of a deadly serpent?

3.  Do you cry out from the insufficiency of your own self-righteousness?

4.  Have you cried out to the Lord Jesus to save you fully & completely?

5.  Do you see more worth & more merit in 1 drop of Christs blood to save you than in all the sins of the world to damn you?

6.  Are you tender of sinning against Jesus Christ:

7.  Would leave all the world for His sake?

8. Are you willing to give your life for Him?

9.  Are His Saints (fellow believers) precious to you?

10.  Is Jesus precious to you?

We watched both of these messages on "Wretched".  

It does give you cause to think...ponder...pray!