Becoming a Christian is the most important decision someone can make, but it can also be confusing to know if you truly are one. The Bible provides guidance on how to tell if someone is really a follower of Jesus Christ. Here are some key things the Bible says to look for:
1. You have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior
The starting point of being a Christian is professing faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Asking Jesus into your life and trusting Him for salvation is what makes you a Christian.
2. You have repented of your sins
An authentic Christian life involves recognizing you are a sinner and turning away from those sins. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Remorse and repentance over sin should mark a believer.
3. You obey God’s commands
While Christians aren’t perfect, someone who is truly saved will demonstrate the fruit of obedience. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” A disregard for God’s moral laws and unrepentant sin is inconsistent with salvation.
4. You love other Christians
Christianity is not just a personal thing. There should be love for other believers. 1 John 3:14 states, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” Loving other Christians is a sign of following Jesus.
5. You experience life change
When someone is authentically saved, there will be tangible life change as a result. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” The presence of new godly attitudes, character, and activities are marks of salvation.
6. You seek to obey the Great Commission
Christians should have a heart to see others come to salvation. Matthew 28:19-20 gives what is called the Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Christians seek to spread the gospel message.
7. You are assured of salvation
Christians have inner confidence and assurance of their salvation. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” The Holy Spirit confirms a believer is saved.
8. You enjoy fellowship with other Christians
Acts 2:42 describes how the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship.” Christians long for community with other believers. The church is where meaningful relationships are built.
9. You bear spiritual fruit in your life
Someone who is truly a Christian will demonstrate spiritual fruit in how they live. Galatians 5:22-23 describes fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities emerge in a Christian.
10. You have victory over sin
Christians are not sinless, but they do have power to overcome sin. 1 John 5:4 states, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” A Christian experiences victory in defeating sin.
While none of these signs guarantee someone’s salvation, together they give strong evidence of an authentic faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lives should demonstrate these realities if we truly know God. The Bible makes it clear how someone should look and act if they are a born-again Christian.
Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who assures Christians of their salvation and gives them confidence before God. But these visible fruits and evidences can confirm that a profession of faith is real. They allow Christians to test themselves to see if they are truly saved. While only God knows a person’s heart, believers should demonstrate these traits.
The Christian life is far more than just a prayer or decision. It is living in relationship with Jesus daily and walking with Him. It is turning from sin and pursuing holiness. It is joining the family of God and being part of His kingdom mission in the world. It is being made new by the power of the Holy Spirit. Examining these Bible truths allows us to evaluate if our faith is genuine.
Our lives should show clear signals of our connection to God. The above signs from Scripture give us ways to look at our hearts and see if we are born again. They are not just facts to know, but realities to live out as disciples of Jesus. If they are truly present in someone, it indicates that they are indeed a child of God.
Becoming a Christian involves a remarkable transformation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 describes it as becoming a “new creation.” There will never be a point when we have “arrived” spiritually. The Christian life is one of growth and maturity. But there should be active spiritual fruit and life change along the way if indeed we belong to Christ. His followers demonstrate a new life He has given them.
These are not things we can or must generate ourselves. A true Christian life only happens as a work of God within us. But the Bible gives us means to reflect on the state of our souls. It helps reveal if the Holy Spirit resides within us. If He does, then we can have assurance that we are genuine believers in Jesus.
While the Christian life has many blessings and benefits, it also involves sacrifice. Jesus said any who wish to come after Him must “deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The path is narrow, although the eternal destination is worth it. Counting the cost is important.
It is essential we examine our lives in light of Scripture to see if we are truly saved. Even after conversion, it is possible to “fall away” through unbelief, neglect or unrepentant sin. There are multiple warnings against this. But our lives should give evidence that we belong to the Lord who saved us.
Paul wrote this exhortation in 2 Corinthians 13:5: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” By looking at what the Bible says, we can evaluate if we are in Christ.
Jesus also warned there will be some who profess His name but are not genuine: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
This is a sobering warning against empty faith. But how then do we make sure our faith is living and real? We must examine if we have repented, live in obedience, love others, are being changed to Christ’s image, and follow His mission in the world. The Bible tells us what to look for.
While reflecting on these things, we must remember our salvation is due to Christ’s work, not our own merits. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” We could never save ourselves. Our hope is in what Jesus has done for us.
It’s worth asking: Have you asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior from sin? Do you rely on Him alone for eternal life? Are you seeking to turn from sin and pursue holiness? Do you love God’s Word and desire to obey it? Is there clear spiritual fruit in terms of character and priorities? Do other believers affirm your profession of faith?
The Bible provides assurance that we can have confidence in our salvation. 1 John 5:13 tells us these things were written so “that you may know that you have eternal life.” But Scripture also gives us tests to discover if our faith is authentic. Examining your life in light of God’s Word can strengthen assurance that you belong to Him.
While feelings or circumstances may change, the promises of God and His word do not. Putting your faith in Christ brings eternal life and transforming power. The Scripture gives “full assurance of faith” that He is able to make and keep His people holy. As we walk in obedience, we confirm that we know Him.
The Christian life comes with struggles and seasons of doubt are normal, but examining these biblical truths allow us to evaluate if our profession is real. God gives His children victory, spiritual growth, obedience, love, and mission. These realities mark the redeemed in Christ.
Our salvation is secure in God’s hands. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). Christ will preserve all who are truly His.
But Scripture calls us to confirm our calling and election (2 Peter 1:10). Examining if we are worshipping Christ as Lord, serving Him wholeheartedly, loving His Word, clinging to His promises, and living differently because of His Spirit – provides assurance that we are in Christ.
While only God sees the heart, the Bible gives us tools to examine if our profession of faith is matched by spiritual fruit. We are new creations in Christ. And by God’s grace, the evidence of this will be clear in how we live.