If I could categorize Christians on what they think about the certainty of their salvation, I would have three different groups —
1. The ones who doubt their salvation.
2. The ones who have doubted their salvation but are certain they have it now.
3. The ones who are certain they have salvation.
For the first group, it is such a tragedy to think that some Christians believe in Jesus yet they are still stuck in the shame and guilt from their sin and lifestyle. Christ came to set his people free, but some of his people still believe that they are chained to their flesh. Of course, there is a slight difference, some of these Christians are ashamed of their past life, and some are ashamed of their current life. Regardless, Christ came to wipe clean ALL sin.
For the second group, I believe that most Christians have doubted their salvation at least once in their life, or at the very least, questioned it. Often times when Christians look back on their lives, (or when they look at how they are living in the moment) many of them simply cannot believe that God would save them. Whether they think they haven’t done enough, or they think that they are not good enough, or that they are sinning too much etc. But many of them have come to terms that they do indeed have salvation, yet this tragic doubting can possibly reappear in any Christian’s life.
However, there is another group of people, who think they are certain of their salvation. I honestly believe that not many Christians can go through their life without at least once doubting or questioning their salvation, but regardless, this group can also pose some issues. Some people have an overconfidence in their salvation when in actuality, they may not even be Christians. Before I dig myself in a deep hole, I will state that there is nothing that any human could ever do that would be enough to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift of grace by faith (Eph 2:8). But many people have tricked themselves into thinking that they have salvation when they are actually lost and never knew Christ.
Thankfully scripture provides three clear ways in 1 John to determine with 100 percent certainty whether or not a person has salvation. It is a test that anybody can take to see where they stand on the certainty of their salvation.
The Certainty of Salvation Test
(Inspired from CIU's BIB1120 New Testament Survey course)
1. (1 John 1-2; 5:1, 10, 13)
Do you believe in Jesus?
2. (1 John 2:9-10; 3:13-18; 4:7-8, 20)
Do you love other believers?
3. (1 John 1:5-7; 2:3-5. 29; 3:4-10)
Do you practice righteousness?
How did you do?
Now, however you answered these questions, go back over and read them again. But this time, think of a close group of friends or family. Now imagine that they were reading these three questions and answering them for YOU. Would they agree with you? Would your friends and family say “Yes” to all these questions without hesitation? Or is your lifestyle and how you portray yourself hindering them from answering “Yes” to these questions?
So what if your life does't line up with those previous questions? And what about other people in this world? If your life and other lives don’t perfectly line up with this test are you and they not saved? No, not exactly. This is a test to know with CERTAINTY if somebody is saved. For a Christian who, for example, lives an un-righteous lifestyle, it does not mean they are not saved, it means that they cannot have certainty that they are saved.
That is what it boils down to. Do you want to be certain that you are saved or play the guessing game?
