Are You Sure You're A Christian?

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’”
Luke 7:18-20

ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE JESUS?

John the Baptist was essentially saying, “Are you sure you’re the Jesus we’ve been looking for? Are you sure you’re the Jesus? The Christ?” John might have asked this question because, from his tiny jail cell, things aren’t looking so great. John was no stranger to heavenly happenings, as  this is the same John whom the angel spoke these words to his parents before his birth:

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:13-16

John was prophesied by an angel to be great before the Lord, was filled with the Spirit from the womb, and walked in the spirit and power of Elijah. This is the same John who baptized people and prepared hearts for the coming of Jesus. This is the same John that baptized Jesus himself (Matthew 3:13-17), marking the beginning of Jesus’ ministry of miracles on earth. And yet, he asks, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Just double-checking, Jesus.

Jesus kindly responds to John in this way:

In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Luke 7:21-23

Jesus is essentially saying, “Yes, I’m the one, I’m the real Jesus, the real Christ, and I have come,” by confirming the prophecies about himself (Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 61:1). In the Old Testament, the sign of a true prophet was when their prophecies actually came true. The difference with Jesus is that He is the one fulfilling the prophecies, and others got to bear witness. Some rejoiced, and others were offended by him (hence the reason John is in jail). In spite of persecution, blessed is the one who is not offended by Jesus. Blessed is John in jail. Blessed are you, Christian, if you believe the message of John, receive the works of Jesus, and walk in the grace of God.

ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE A CHRISTIAN?

John had a point in his life where he needed some confirmation about his calling. He didn’t ask his friends or his rabbi. He went straight to Jesus. And Jesus responded with the Word. Jesus reminded John of the scriptures and prophecies that John already knew by heart. Jesus pointed to his works and miracles and said, “Yep, the whole Bible is about me. I’m your guy.” 

So, if you’re questioning if Jesus is the real Jesus, if your faith is real, or if you’re a real Christian, go straight to the source. Ask the Lord in prayer. Ask the Spirit to remind you of His Word, of God’s work in your own life, and in others’ lives. So, can we ever be 100% full of faith, and 100% sure we are a Christian? Maybe, but not always; especially not on this side of heaven.  The soluction: we need to remind ourselves of Jesus’ salvation that is at work in us, every single day. 

How does God’s word answer the question, “Are you sure you’re a Christian?”:

• Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” Galatians 3:11
• But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18
• Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
• But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
• So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:17-20
• For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:15-17
• And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
• In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
• But that is not the way you learned Christ!—assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

Have you ever doubted your salvation? Why?

Are there any other verses you can add to this list?