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Feb 25, 2025 18:00pm

How Can We Know That We Are in Christ?

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Is it possible to confidently know that you are a true believer? That you are in Christ, and Christ is in you? That you will go to heaven eternally?

Many people struggle with the assurance of their salvation, which is one reason an entire book of the Bible (1 John) is devoted to this theme. Here is John’s statement about why the Holy Spirit wrote 1 John through him.

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

If you are struggling with this issue, read 1 John over and over again, asking the Spirit of God to open your eyes to your true condition. Study it carefully and cry out to God for the clarity and conviction that only He can give.

AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION

Before you read, it’s important to know that John speaks in a way (even in the tense of some verbs) that describes the overall condition and direction of one’s life, not just momentary acts. For instance, he is not saying that a believer doesn’t ever sin, but that he does not “continue habitually” in sin with no desire for repentance. A moment or even a season of sin and failure does not indicate a whole life turned in that direction.

If we take a lamb and a pig and throw them both in a pig pen, the lamb may be curious, but he will struggle to get out. It’s not his nature to stay there. But the pig will remain with no thought of escape. One loves that environment; the other does not.

Every believer struggles with the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is our continual battle. We fail (many, if not most, days), but if we are true believers, we have sorrow about that failure and a desire to do what the One within us desires. We have a new nature and Christ dwells in us. We are foundationally and eternally changes. A true believer cannot live habitually in sin without a desire and willingness to change. There is a hunger for righteousness because we are structurally different.

In this light, John gives these eight indicators of true salvation. Read and study the passages carefully and prayerfully.

What is true about one who has been born again, born from above as Christ speaks of in John 3?

(Holiness) We keep his commandments and do what is right. 2:3-6; 2:29-3:10
(Love) We love our brothers and sisters 2:7-11;3:14-18; 4:7-12, 16
(Affections) We do not love the world 3:15-17
(Perseverance) We do not leave the church 2:18-19
(Confession) We don’t deny the Son 2:23; 4:15 (See Luke 12:8-9)
(Holy Spirit witness) We have the inner assurance/witness of the Holy Spirit that Christ remains in us. 3:24; 4:13 (see Romans 8:9-17)
(Faith) We believe that Jesus is the Christ. 5:1-5
(LIFE!) We have the Son of God and the life of God in us. 5:12 (see also 2 Corinthians 13:5)

The final test is perhaps the greatest. If we are true believers, we have Christ living in us. His Spirit has come to live with and in us, just as Christ promised (John 14:16-17). His presence in us is evident. The fruit of His Spirit is seen in us, not perfectly but genuinely (Galatians 5:22-23).

Some true believers struggle with assurance more than others for various reasons. But it is essential to wrestle through this issue until you come to “know that you know that you know.” The Spirit led John to write his first letter so we could KNOW.

Many “professing” believers do not genuinely know Christ. Christ Himself told us this would happen (Matthew 13:24-30). They need to recognize their true condition and cry out to God for salvation and the assurance that only He can bring. What could be more important?

God is not playing games or hiding from us. He has promised that those who seek Him will find Him. He has given His blessed assurance to millions.