Ways To Give

How to be Sure You are a Christian (Part 6)

Written by Dr. Bill Bright

This is part 6 of a 6 part series – How to Be Sure You Are a Christian

You can be sure

3. Changed Life

Your changed life is a witness to the fact that you are a Christian. Paul records, “When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!” John says, “How can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, ‘I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.’ But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. This is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did.”

I remember well the night I prayed, “God, what do You want me to do with my life?” It was a simple, quiet prayer. But I meant what I prayed, and God heard me.

My life began to gradually change as I studied the Scriptures with other believers in the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. With the passing of time, I began to feel the assurance of God’s love and forgiveness. My relationship with Him became the most important experience in my life.

If you have never personally received Jesus Christ, or if you have any doubts about your salvation, you can receive Him right now through faith. You can open the door of your life to Christ by expressing your faith to Him in prayer. The following prayer may express your desire:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal and abundant life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

You do not become a Christian by simply praying this or any other prayer. You become a Christian by faith and by faith alone. Faith is putting your trust in God and His promises. I encourage you to say this prayer aloud in faith, for it is through prayer – talking to God – that you can express your faith in Christ and the promises of His Word.

If you have invited Jesus Christ into your life, you can now have confidence that He is in your life and has given you eternal life as He promised.

Jesus would not deceive you. You can be sure, if you asked Him into your life, He now lives inside you and will give you the abundant, eternal life He promised.

I encourage you, right now, to thank God for His faithfulness to you and for His presence in your life. Do not depend on your feelings. God’s Word is your authority. Faith and obedience always results in the awareness of our Lord’s presence.

Begin to spend some time each day in Bible study and prayer. It is best to set aside a particular time each day to do this and to make it a habit. This will help you grow and mature in your faith.

Become associated with vital Christians. If you do not belong to a local church, don’t wait to be invited. Take the initiative; call the pastor of a nearby church where Christ is honored and God’s Word is preached. Make plans to start this week and to attend regularly. If you have not already been baptized, plan to be baptized as an outward expression of your identification with Christ.

Now that you are sure you are a Christian, I encourage you to experience the joy of helping others receive Christ. Share your faith in Christ with your friends and neighbors at every opportunity. The apostle Paul was so excited about Jesus that he exclaimed in Colossians 1:28, “Everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen.” Take the initiative to tell everyone you meet about the person and claims of our Lord Jesus Christ and the revolutionary way He can change their lives – and how they, too, can be sure they are a Christian.

Remember, How You Can Be Sure You Are a Christian is a transferable concept. You can master it by reading it six times; then pass it on to others as our Lord commands us in Matthew 28:20, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” The apostle Paul encouraged us to do the same: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Self study guide

1. Why do some Christians lack the assurance of their salvation? (See “Millions Are Not Sure”)
2. What do you believe intellectually about Christ? By what evidence do you know these beliefs to be true? (See “Intellectual Commitment”)
3. According to the following passages, who is Jesus Christ?

a. Mark 1:1
b. John 1:1,14
c. John 10:30
d. John 14:6

1. Why were Jesus’ miracles recorded for us? (See John 20:30,31)
2. Why did Jesus have to die?

a. Hebrews 9:22
b. 1 Peter 1:18,19
c. 1 Corinthians 15:3

1. In John 1:12, what is the relation between the words “receive” and “believe”?
2. What does knowing who Jesus Christ is mean to you?
3. What scriptural assurances do you have that your salvation is more than emotion (based on the following verses)?

a. Romans 8:16
b. Ephesians 1:3-11
c. l John 5:11-13

1. What emphasis do you think Christ placed on emotions during His earthly ministry? What do these two Scripture passages show?

a. Mark 8:12
b. Luke 10:21

1. How can emotions deceive you? (See “Emotional Commitment”)
2. What happens as you begin to know God better? (See “Volitional Commitment”)
3. What does God’s Word say about faith? (See Romans 1:17; 14:23; Hebrews 11:6)
4. Why does becoming a Christian involve an act of the will? And why are some people reluctant to accept Christ? (See also 2 Corinthians 4:2-4)
5. What kind of confirmation should you have that you have become a Christian? (See “You Can Be Sure”)
6. How can you give God control of your life?
7. From Matthew 16:26, Mark 8:34-38; 10:21,29,30; and John 3:1-21, explain Christ’s advice and promises to those who hesitate to accept Him as Savior.
8. How can you be sure of your salvation and position in Christ? (See John 3:16; 10:28,29; l John 5:11-13)
9. How would you relate Matthew 21:22 to salvation and a Christian’s assurance of his salvation?
10. Think of someone who is unsure of his salvation. What will you do this week to help this person gain assurance of his salvation and realize his position in Christ?

Group study guide

1. Christianity is built on biblical and historical fact. Discuss what facts are most important in making a commitment to Christ.
2. Why is Christianity different from all other religions? What does this difference mean to you personally?
3. The Christian life is to be lived by faith, not emotions. What place does emotion have in your Christian life? How and when can emotions be misleading? Share with your group a time in your life when you especially had to apply this truth.
4. Some people are reluctant to become Christians because they fear God will change their plans. Discuss an area in your life in which you saw God do this. What were the results?
5. Why is it important that you be sure of your salvation?
6. Church history records no great personal or group revivals that have taken place apart from an emphasis on God’s holy Word. How does this emphasis affect the corporate life and witness of the church today? What role does God’s Word play in your assurance of salvation?

With whom would you most like to share Christ right now? Break into groups of two, discuss a strategy for reaching that person, and pray with your partner for him/her.

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