There are four reasons why people doubt they are Christians and worry they are not going to heaven. Please read each one and take the self inventory test. We pray that you are a Christian.
4 Reasons For Doubt
1) Not confident of what is required to become a Christian. If so, please read Searching for God. The following also describes what a true Christian believes:
• Believes Jesus is God.
Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24 (NASB)
When Jesus said He was the “I AM,” He revealed that He is God. Exodus 3:14 (NASB)
In John 8:58, Jesus said once again that He was God. Also see Titus 2:13 and 1 John 4:1-2.
• Believes Jesus died for our sins.
The apostle Peter said, “We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.” Acts 10:39 (NASB)
The apostle Paul has told us that we must believe, “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NASB)
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit . . .” 1 Peter 3:18 (NASB)
Christ died for our sins. His one-time death was sufficient to forgive all our sins if we believe He died in our place. That is the message of the prophecies (Isaiah 53:5-6, 8, 12).
• Believes Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
The apostle Peter said, “God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible.” Acts 10:40 (NASB)
The apostle Paul wrote, “and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:4 (NASB)
The apostle Paul has told us that we must believe, “. . . and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NASB)
A person must believe that Jesus died for our sins and returned to physical life. His resurrection proved that He was God (Romans 1:4).
• Believes that only Jesus can forgive his or her sins.
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6 (NASB)
“And there is no other God besides Me,
A righteous God and a Savior;
There is none except Me.” Isaiah 45:21 (NASB)
There is only one God and Savior (Titus 2:13). Jesus is the only Savior for the world. If you ignore Him, then you have ignored the only God who can save you (1 John 4:14).
• Believes he or she is a sinner.
“. . . all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NASB)
Jesus revealed that we are sinners when He said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24
In Matthew 19:17 Jesus said that only God is good. That is, we are not good and we cannot do any good to earn us heaven.
• Is repentant of his or her sins.
The apostle Peter said, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away . .” Acts 3:19 (NASB)
In Luke 18:9-14 Jesus declared that He did not come to save those who think they are good people. He came to save sinners.
• Humbly submits to Jesus as Lord.
“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 10:9-11 (NASB)
Romans 10:13 says that you should call on the name of the Lord. That is, tell God that you believe Jesus Christ is God, that He died and was resurrected for your sins, you want your sins forgiven and you want Him to be the Lord of your life. That is the mark of a true Christian.
2) Worried because you have sinned. Some people doubt they are Christians because of some sin or sins they have committed or because of an ongoing sinful habit. They cannot imagine that they are really a Christian. If so, then you are encouraged to read, “Am I a Christian since I struggle with sin?” and “How long can a person sin and still be a Christian?” If you would like to know how to have more victory over sin, then visit “Filled With The Spirit.” and “How to Walk by the Spirit.”
3) Believe you can lose your salvation. Maybe you worry you can lose your salvation. If so, then read the study “Saved Only Once” and listen to the studies “Saved Only Once or Always Saved?” and “Rejoice – Your Salvation Is Secure!”
4) Do not see the evidence that you are a Christian. Maybe you do not see any or very little spiritual growth in your life. If this describes you, then take the self inventory test. The inventory will reveal spiritual evidences that should exist in a Christian. Remember that after a person becomes a Christian, the Holy Spirit will begin making changes in you, but the changes take time. You are encouraged to read “What are the signs that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit?”