Most people have convinced themselves they’re going to heaven when they’re not. While God has freely offered salvation to all who respond to His provision, Jesus said that few will (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus also warned us that there would be many who consider themselves Christians who will be surprised to learn at the judgment that they are lost (Matthew 7:21-23). It is wise to evaluate our own salvation while we can still take corrective action (2 Corinthians 13:5). The little book of First John provides twelve tests so "that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13)...
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Having eternal life is a matter of continuing "to believe in the name of the Son of God" (1 John 5:13). Believing is more than an intellectual acknowledgement of the facts, it is having faith that Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross paid in full the penalty for your sins (Romans 5:8).
Do you fellowship with God? If you have a relationship with Him, you will have "fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3 see also verse 7). People who have a relationship communicate with each other. Likewise, true Christians talk to God in prayer and God speaks to them via His Word.
Are you sensitive to sin? "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). True Christians confess their sins and seek the cleansing that only Jesus can provide (1 John 1:9).
Do you obey God’s Word? "By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3). True Christians study God’s Word to know Him and His commandments so that they may apply them to their lives.
Do you reject the world? "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). The world is a system of selfishness, materialism, errant philosophies, and godlessness that is pervasive today. While Christians are in the world, they are "not of the world" (John 17:14-15).
Do you long for Christ’s return? "When He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself" (1 John 3:2-3). True Christians long to be redeemed from their imperfect condition so that they may be closer to the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Is sin decreasing in your life? "Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him" (1 John 3:6). If you are saved, the Holy Spirit is in you convicting you of sin so that you can take corrective action. If your life is not continually changing for the good, the Holy Spirit is not in you.
Are you rejected because of Christ? "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you" (1 John 3:13). If you are truly not of the world, those in the world will persecute you emotionally, verbally or physically.
Do you love other believers? "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). Christians participate in church activities because they want to be with the ones they love. If you are not involved in a church, you need to question your salvation.
Are your prayers answered? "Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments" (1 John 3:22). If the Holy Spirit is in you, you’ll know when God answers your prayers.
Can you discern truth from error? "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). Those who are of God know what is of God and those who are not of God are easily deceived.
Is there evidence that God is in you? "He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself" (1 John 5:10). The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit bears fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).