This three part test will answer your question

PART 1 – We Need to Erase the Board

Before you can answer the real question of whether or not you are saved, you need to clear up a common misunderstanding. Most people feel they are saved because they believe in God, and because they are basically a good person who does good things. Unfortunately, this is not Biblically correct. In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that these people will spend eternity in hell. But I believe in God … So what? The devil believes in God and the devil is doomed to hell. [Revelation 20:10] And I’m really a good person … The real question is not whether you are a good person – it is whether you are a good enough person. And the Bible clearly teaches that the answer is NO. This is because you, like everybody else, have sinned. God has seen your every thought, watched your every action and heard your every word. If you have ever done anything wrong, or if you have ever not done something you should have, then you have sinned. And if you have ever sinned, you cannot get into heaven on your own. [Romans 3:23] And I do lots of good things … Again, the Bible clearly teaches that’s not enough. We simply cannot do enough good deeds to “earn” our place in heaven. [Ephesians 2:8-9]

PART 2 – We Need to Erase the Board Some More

There are several other things that people think will save them. While they do indicate the person is on the right track, they neither prove nor disprove a person is saved. Seven of these ideas, and the Bible passages which explain them are: Visible Morality – Matthew 19:16-21, 23:27 Intellectual Knowledge – Romans 1:21, 2:17ff Religious Involvement – Matthew 25:1-10 Active Ministry – Matthew 7:21-24 Conviction of Sin – Acts 24:25 Assurance – Matthew 23 Time of Decision – Luke 8:13,14 Did you notice that a lot of the items on this list are things that some people who attend church regularly think will prove they are saved? Things like praying a "sinner's prayer" and answering an altar call (Time of Decision); singing in the choir and attending church (Religious Involvement); serving on committees and going on mission trips (Active Ministry); regularly studying the Bible (Intellectual Knowledge); not cheating or stealing (Visible Morality); and "feeling saved" (Assurance). Unfortunately, these people are just as lost as the people who failed the first part of the test.

PART 3 – Finally … We Need to Get Down to the Real Test

So what is proof of authentic, true Christianity? Well, again turning to the Bible, you will find that ... Saved people have the following eleven characteristics: Love for God – Psalm 42:1ff, 73:25; Luke 10:27; Romans 8:7 Repentance from Sin – Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 7:14ff; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10 Genuine Humility – Psalm 51:17; Matthew 5:1-12; James 4:6,9ff Devotion to God’s Glory – Psalm 105:3, 115:1; Isaiah 43:7, 48:10ff; Jeremiah 9:23,24; 1 Corinthians 10:31 Continual Prayer – Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18ff; Philippians 4:6ff; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16-18 Selfless Love – 1 John 2:9ff, 3:14, 4:7ff Separation from the World – 1 Corinthians 2:12; James 4:4ff; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:5 Spiritual Growth – Luke 8:15; John 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:12-16 Obedient Living – Matthew 7:21; John 15:14ff; Romans 16:26; 1 Peter 1:2,22; 1 John 2:3-5 Hunger for God’s Word – 1 Peter 2:1-3 Transformation of Life – 2 Corinthians 5:17 People who are saved also exhibit these three elements of Genuine Saving Faith Mental – Their minds understand the gospel and the truth about Christ to the extent of their mental abilities [Romans 10:14-17] Emotional – They embrace the truthfulness of those facts with (a) sorrow over sin and (b) joy over God’s mercy and grace [Romans 6:17, 5:13] Volitional – They recognize they are sinners and submit their will to Christ and trust Him alone as their only hope of salvation [Romans 10:9] You should note that if the things in Part 2 are true but the things in Part 3 are false, then there is cause to question your profession of faith. On the other hand, if the things in Part 3 are true, then everything in Part 2 will be true also.

Would you like a copy of this test for future reference, or to share with a friend? We have prepared a version in pdf format – which can be saved to your hard drive, or read any time using the Adobe Reader, or printed out as you desire. You can obtain your copy of the document by clicking here.