How do you know you are a Christian? If you call yourself a Christian, Christ follower, Believer, or whatever other label that is out there, you must answer the question.
Searching the internet I find that some believe they are a Christian because they were born into a Christian family, attend church every Sunday, have been baptized, or walked the aisle. While others believe they are a Christian because they live in the United States, or because they are a good person. Are these adequate answers? I don’t think so. If these answers will not do, then what makes you a Christian?
The book of 1 John answers the question for us. Let’s see what it says.
How Do You Know You are a Christian?
- You know you are a Christian if you walk as He walks (1 John 1:5-7).
- You know you are a Christian if you confess your sins (1 John 1:8-10).
- You know you are a Christian if you keep His commandments (1 John 2:3-6; 3:19; 22-24; 5:2-4).
- You know you are a Christian if you love one another. We cannot be a Christian if we hate others (1 John 2:9; 3:10-15; 4:7-12; 4:16-21; 5:1).
- You know you are a Christian if you do not love the world (1 John 2:15-17).
- You know you are a Christian if you remain steadfast in your faith until the end (1 John 2:19).
- You know you are a Christian if you confess that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 2:22-23; 4:3; 14-16; 5:5; 10; 13).
- You know you are a Christian if you continue in the doctrine you have heard from the beginning (1 John 2:24-25).
- You know you are a Christian if you confess that Jesus is the Christ (1 John 2:28; 5:1).
- You know you are a Christian if your life is not characterized by continual sinfulness (1 John 3:1-9; 5:18).
- You know you are a Christian if you confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2).
- You know you are a Christian if other Christians agree with you rather than the world (1 John 4:5-6).
- You know you are a Christian if you believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world (1 John 4:13).
- You know you are a Christian if you believe that God has given you eternal life through His Son (1 John 5:11-12).
Questions for Reflection
- Can you answer these questions yes?
- Do you believe you have to answer all these questions yes in order to be a Christian?
Christianity Matters 
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I never knew all of that was in First John, good post.
Rick,
Thanks for the encouragement. First John is such a rich book. I had the privilege of preaching through it this last year. It was a blast and very challenging. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Blessings,
Casey Lewis