11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation

I’ve recently been speaking with people who are rather complacent about their ‘faith’. They attend church occasionally, but are quick to say they are “not religious“. They then go on to propose what amounts to a “many roads lead to God” theory.

Although I cannot look at their hearts, these kinds of conversations lead me to conclude that, sadly, these are people with no relationship with God.

I then thought about my own faith. What characteristics are indicative of genuine salvation. Are these characteristics evident in my life? I came across the following list which was useful for me to evaluate the health of my relationship with God. Please understand that we are saved through faith alone and none of these indicators are a means of salvation, rather, they are indicative of the work done by God alone in our lives; they are the outcome not the means.

• You hate the evil in this world. And when tempted, you grieve over that temptation, thanking Him for deliverance from it.

• You crave alone-time with God and schedule specific time to read your Bible. You think about and talk with Him throughout the day.

• When you sin, you are horrified and knowing He has already forgiven you, confess it to God.

• Your heartbeat is to obey God; to gear your life around His Word and His work. You don’t always do what He says, but when you don’t, it causes you great concern. This you confess to God, seeking His enabling guidance and basking in His forgiveness.

• Your heart burns for a close relationship with your Lord.

• You are consciously aware that sin is diminishing in your life. You are more aware of the smaller sins that you had previously brushed off as inconsequential.

• You love the solid Christian men/women in your life. You long to be with them. To study with them. To witness with them. And you despair over your weaker brothers/sisters. You pray for them often.

• You are ‘growing‘ spiritually. You’ve got an understanding for that which God wants you to pray. And you’ve got a passion to pray for people outside His Kingdom.

• Your Bible study is expanding and you are making inroads with people when sharing your faith.

• You are discerning; more acutely aware of spiritual error–in yourself and others.

• And finally–you don’t shrink from the “embarrassment’ of being identified with Christ –You are prepared to, even welcome suffering for Christ.

How did you measure against this list? Are there other characteristics that you think I should have included?

Please let us know your thoughts.

These eleven points are adapted from a post on Fallen and Flawed written by Demian Farnworth.