One of the great truths in Scripture is when God saves a person, He changes them. He doesn’t just give folks a “get out of hell free card” and leave them to their own sinful devices (Romans 6:14). No, He makes them into a new creation. Every believer in Jesus Christ should rejoice in the promise that the Apostle Paul records in 2 Corinthians 5:17, which says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
Those are powerful words because they reflect the transforming power of the Holy Spirit of God who convicts of sin and takes up residency in the hearts of those who have been regenerated or born again (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18). In laymen’s terms, when a person repents of their sin and places their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and in Him alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), there are a lot of new things that happen. Among them, is spiritual transformation. While the new believer will not be sinless in this life (I John 1:8), he or she will desire to sin less and live a life of devotion and obedience to God (John 14:15, 21, 23, 15:10; 2 John 1:4).
While there are a multitude of professing believers, the numbers dwindle quickly when their lives are scrutinized by scripture. The Apostle Paul told the wishy-washy, game-playing Corinthians to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
If you are struggling with the assurance of your salvation, the book of I John provides at least TEN TEST QUESTIONS to assist in your examination:
QUESTION # 1: Do you have a new communion with Christ? (I John 1:1-4)
The word “fellowship” is the Greek word “koinonia”, which carries the meaning of a “partnership, or an intimate communion between two or more people.” There is a difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing someone.
The one who genuinely knows Christ has a personal, intimate relationship with Him. The one who only knows about Christ simply possesses a few historical facts.
QUESTION # 2: Do you have a new concern with sin? (I John 1:5-2:2)
Scripture is clear that while the believer has been made a new creation, he or she will still struggle with the desires of the flesh, which may lead to sin. While the Christian has been justified (declared righteous) he or she has not yet been glorified (perfected). But despite the struggle, there should be a sincere concern over sins committed which should lead to regular confession (I John 1:8-9).
“Confession” means “to say the same thing about sin that God says about sin.” As new creatures in Christ, there should be a desire to confess sin to God so that the sweet communion and fellowship with Him may be maintained.
QUESTION # 3: Do you have a new craving to obey? (I John 2:3-6)
One of the sure ways that a person can know that he or she is “in Christ” is by the regular and consistent desire to obey the commandments of God. Obedience is not the root of salvation, but the fruit of salvation.
QUESTION # 4: Do you have a new compassion for people? (I John 2:7-11, 3:14-18, 4:7-21)
A huge part of the new transformation as a believer in Jesus Christ is a new genuine love for people. It’s easy to love the lovable but what about those who are not so lovable? Loving others as Christ loved us is a mark of a true believer. A mark of the one who has truly been transformed.
QUESTION # 5: Do you have a new collection of priorities? (I John 2:12-17)
Do you love the world or the things of the world? If you do, the Apostle John says, “the love of the Father is not in you.” In other words, your life is void of transformation. The true Christian has a new collection of priorities.
QUESTION # 6: Do you have a new comprehension of the truth? (I John 2:18-27, 4:1-6)
This refers to the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit of God. Illumination doesn’t mean that God gives believers the meaning or the proper interpretation of the Bible. It means that God has opened the eyes and hearts of the regenerate to understand how the Bible specifically applies to them.
Prior to becoming a Christian, a person could read the Bible and even understand some of what it says. But through the anointing of the Holy Spirit, true believers are convicted by the truth of God’s Word.
QUESTION # 7: Do you have a new conformity to Christ? (I John 2:28-3:10)
What does it mean to be “Christlike?” The Apostle John says it means to “practice righteousness.” Since Jesus is righteous, all true believers in Him will conform to His likeness, and practice righteous living.
QUESTION # 8: Do you have a new conflict with the world? (I John 3:11-13)
A transformed life is visible. The world sees a transformed life and they mock it. They loathe it. They hate it. Any true Christian who lives like Christ will have conflict with this world (John 15:18-25).
QUESTION # 9: Do you have a new confidence in prayer? (I John 3:19-24; 5:14-15)
Prayer isn’t a magic incantation. Prayer is essentially bowing one’s will in conformity to God’s will. God hears the prayers of His saints and answers in accordance with His will.
QUESTION # 10: Do you have a new certainty of your salvation? (I John 5:13)
We have come full circle. Why did John write his first epistle? So that his readers would know that they have eternal life. The word “know” is mentioned 35 times in the five chapters of I John. God wants His people to know that they belong to Him.
It is now time to grade your test and see how you did. By God’s grace you can be “Absolutely Sure” of your right standing before Him.
(Resource for this article and recommended reading: “Absolutely Sure” by Steve Lawson)