Christians are commanded to affirm the validity of their conversion in 2 Cor 13:5… “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
How can a person know that they know that they know that they know they are for 100% certain they are saved? Is there anything that is completely, absolutely, perfectly indisputable proof a person has been converted?
Here are some suggested contenders: Belief in God (Christ, Holy Spirit), Baptism, Following Christ (Discipleship), Local Church Membership, Spiritual Giftedness, Seeing Angels, Being a Godly Parent, Preaching (The Ministry)
Belief In God Fails The Test. James 2:19, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-8, 11:12-13). He was pious, prayed, raised his family in church, did good works, and saw an angel while praying. But was lost…
Simon (Acts 8:9-24). Simon heard the Gospel, believed, and sought spiritual gifts. But was lost…
Judas (Matthew 7:21-23, John 17:12). Lived with Jesus, cast out demons in Jesus’ name, led people to Christ, preached the Gospel, and performed miracles. But was lost…
Baptism And Believing Fails The Test; Simon of Acts 8 believed, was baptized… and wasn’t saved.
Spiritual Giftedness Fails The Test; Judas displayed spiritual gifts (Preaching, casting our demons)… and wasn’t saved.
External signs of being saved fails the test; Cornelius was pious, prayed, raised his family in “church,” gave to the poor… and wasn’t saved.
If all those things don’t pass the test… WHAT DOES? Indwelling…!
Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
John 14:19 Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 17:20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
1 Cor 3:16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Col 1:26 The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
THE proof of salvation is… CHRIST IN YOU.
How do you know if Christ is IN you? The fruit of The Spirit are present and are increasing in your life. What is the fruit (Singular… as a package) of the Spirit? It’s found in Galatians 5:22-24…
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.