Well are you a genuine Christian?

[baby blue]

I've been pondering this recently, to be honest from a personal standpoint, to find the answer.
On another thread here, someone recommended a book, that answers this question.This just confused me....I like facts to be solid as possible, not cerebral. Saying that, I know Faith is important.I suppose the problem is I am insecure and doubt myself.

What does The Bible say about the question? (subject heading here)
If anyone can add to my thoughts on this,and / or provide scripture, I would be grateful.

[Reformed Baptist]

The bible is very specific about who is and who isn't a christain. The first thing to note is nowhere does the bible say you are a Christain if you feel like one, and nowhere does the bible say you are not a Christain if you don't feel like one. What we feel is often not the reality, feelings and emotions can lead us astray.

The bible is for more objective then that. It tells us that "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Rom 10:9. A Christain then is one who has'confessed Christ' and who believes in his death and resurrection, and who has declared Christ Lord of their life. A Christain then is;

1) one who lives for Christ Jesus
2) one who witnesses for Christ Jesus and,
3) one who believes in Christ Jesus.

Now of course there is much more that we could add, but keeping it simple those three things are the areas we should look at. If you want some reading on this to do off line, you can order an excellent little booklet from the Met tab, it cost me 30p when I bought it. It is called 'seven certain signs of conversion' and is written by P Masters. It looks at how we can indentify if ane is saved or not, ie the things we should look for.

[PSzalapski]

I would just add that understanding whether one is a Christian comes from understanding God's promises. God promised that, if one trusts in the Christ that is revealed in the Bible and repents of one's life of sin and becomes humble before God, you are a genuine Christian and you will be saved. Look at God's promises and see what he promised and how it applies to you.

Our assurance should be based on the word of God--I know because there are many verse like 1 John 5:13 - "I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life." Hope this helps a bit.

[LXX_Septuagint]

I think it's very good that you are taking the time to ask yourself this question. The truth is that many will be knocking at the gate someday and the Lord will say to them, "I never knew you," including many who had a carnal yet unfounded assurance.

My recommendation would be for you to read 1st John. The confesion of Christ, as mentioned before, is essential; and if there is no confession of Christ, then there is no salvation. At the same time, there are many who profess Christ and yet show no fruit in their lives of being a Christian.

Essentially, the book of 1 John goes over the marks of a true Christian. He talks in the first chapter of the essential nature of a Christian, thata a Christian walks in the light as Christ is in the light. He is not perfect, and still falls into sin, but the attitude of his life shows that something truly is different. He then goes on to show that a true relationship with God is marked by the person's characteristics; love, not practicing sin, confessing Christ, obedience to God's commands, etc. I'd say if there's any book in the Bible specifically designed to bring conviction or assurance in whether or not you are truly in Christ, this is the book.

I would read over 1st John, pray and examine yourself in light of it, and ask God to search you. You may come out feeling assured, you may come out feeling convicted, but either way, God will benefit you.

I might have a book recommendation later, but I think 1st John will suffice for now.

God bless you bro!

Jake

[baby blue]

thanks for all that replied.

I think I was going through a doubting time when I wrote that.
But, also it is good to examine ourselves spiritually, and "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" as St Paul put it.
I will go and read 1John .