True Believers

Greg Laurie

Thursday, January 18, 2018

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

—1 John 2:19

When someone who has made a profession of faith suddenly walks away from it (seemingly out of nowhere), the question is often asked, “Did he lose his salvation?”

But the question I would ask is, “Did he ever have it to begin with?” Really, the only way to tell if a person is a genuine Christian is whether that commitment stands the test of time. So how can you tell if you are really saved? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Is Jesus Christ Lord? (See 1 John 4:15.) Christianity is Jesus. And if you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, then I don’t know what you are. You may be religious, but you’re not a real Christian.

Do I obey Christ’s commands? (See 1 John 5:3.) This doesn’t mean that if you are a Christian, you will be sinless. But it does mean that if you are a Christian, you will sin less . . . and less . . . and less.

Am I unhappy or miserable when I’m sinning? (See 1 John 3:9.) If you continue in a pattern of sin without remorse, without conviction, then one would have to ask whether you really are a Christian.

Do you keep yourself from the devil? (See 1 John 5:18.) Or, are you sort of going as close to the edge as you can get? A really bad question to ask is, “How much can I get away with and still be a Christian?”

Do I love other Christians? (See 1 John 5:1.) When you love God, you will love His children. If you find yourself not wanting to be around other Christians, it’s an indication that something isn’t right.

The true test is where a person winds up. And a true believer always will come home.
The only way to tell if someone is a true believer is to see whether their commitment will stand the test of time!

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I have started reading Greg Laurie's devotions in the mornings. I thought this one was a good one to have available. Sometimes those who are new in their walk wonder if they are truly saved. These are good questions to help someone discern where his/her heart is with the Lord. 

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