Jesus warned that not everyone who claims to be a believer is one. Only the one that does the Father’s will, said Jesus, is a true believer (Matthew 7:21). The Bible actually gives a number of different tests you can apply to yourself to see if you are a true follower of Christ. Since Paul challenges you to test yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5), you should. It is far better to know for sure now than to be mistaken in the judgment. Ask yourself these questions and be entirely honest because nothing in your life is more important than your salvation.
Questions to Ask Yourself to See if you are Saved
1. Do I agree that sin is any thought, word, or action that displeases and dishonors God?
2. Do I have genuine sorrow for my sin, not just remorse because I have gotten caught doing wrong or have suffered from wrongdoing?
3. Have I humbly confessed my sin, both to God and to those I have injured?
4. Do I have an intense hatred of sin to the point where I flee from it whenever I am tempted?
5. Do I return to God when I sin because I trust that he is a gracious Father who will forgive me?
6. Do I look for my joy in God through Christ instead of in the things of this world?
7. Do I have a genuine love for God and others to the point where I find my greatest delight in serving them?
8. Do I look to God first and foremost when I need guidance, provisions, comfort, self-worth, or anything else?
9. Do I have a burning desire to know God through his Word so that I can love and obey him as I ought?
10. Can I see spiritual growth in my life as I compare where I am now in my journey of faith with where I was six months ago, a year ago, five years ago, etc?
There are some signs that may or may not be proof that you possess genuine saving faith.
1. You can point to a specific time and place when you made a decision for Christ (Luke 8:13-14).
2. You have been baptized.
3. You attend church regularly and perhaps are even involved in ministry (Matthew 7:21-23).
7. You feel assured of your salvation (Matthew 23).
8. Other people think of you as a converted person.
This information is adapted from Anthony Hoekema, Saved by Grace (Grand Rapids, MI:Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1989), pp. 113-114 and John MacArthur, The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN:Word Publishing Co., 1997), p. 2191.
