I'm scared of being a false convert. How do I know I'm not one?
I decided to answer these two together, since they're essentially asking the same thing. The following is from a post I made several years ago that I think may be helpful to you:
2 Corinthians 13:15
"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?"
Christians aren't perfect. We're still living in a fallen world and contending with a fallen nature that craves sin (the desires of the flesh). All of us need the grace of God continually. All of us are still able to fall into sin (whether by ignorance, or by succumbing to temptation). But Christians are nevertheless indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and given grace by God to resist sin. Despite our imperfections, the Bible teaches that truly born-again Christians will possess certain characteristics by virture of the Holy Spirit in them. And these characteristics will become more and more prevalent in the Christian's life as each one gets closer to God (the process we call sanctification).
We are taught by the Apostle Paul to examine ourselves to determine whether we're actually in Christ, or merely think we are. If your faith is real and the Holy Spirit is in you, you will display at least some of the traits described below, and be able to see when you look back on the time between your initial profession of faith until now a steady, progressive development of these traits. Â
The following is a helpful 15-point self test adapted from an episode of Todd Friel's Wretched TV to see whether you're in the faith:
1. Do you do good works? - James 2:17-27
Good works can't save you; but if you're actually saved, you'll do good works.
2. Are you obedient? - John 14:15
If you're truly born-again, you will strive to keep God's commandments; you may not always succeed, but you'll never stop trying.
3. Do you seek holiness? - Hebrews 12:14
Being holy (not perfect) is an absolute must for the born-again Christian, for without holiness, no one will see God. A true Christian seeks Christ-likeness.
4. Do you practice forgiveness? - Matthew 6:12-15
A genuine Christian shows mercy and is willing to forgive; the command of Jesus to His followers to be ready to forgive a brother 70x7 times a day is meant to illustrate God's abundant forgiveness towards His children.
5. Do you deny your flesh? - Galatians 5:24
The sinful habits of the past have no place in the Christian's life; forsake them. When an evil desire rises up, crush it quickly.
6. What is your attitude towards wealth and material possession? - Luke 14:25-33
A truly born-again Christian will be relatively indifferent towards wealth and material goods. Keep money in its place; have it or not, love God and put Him first all the same.
7. Is your love for Jesus real? - 1 Corinthians 16:22
A genuine Christian will passionately desire the presence of God. Craving His presence is the motivation behind obedience; obedience and holiness create an atmosphere conducive to God's presence. Claiming to love God while rejecting His commands makes one a liar (1 John 2:4).
8. Is your love for others real? - Matthew 25:40-46
Preferring others over yourself; giving of your time, effort, and resources to help with no thought of payback; favoring others to the point of disregarding personal gain; all of these things show love for others. Above all, the greatest love for others is displayed by telling people the hard truths that they need to hear, even if it costs you their favor/relationship; even if it earns you their hatred and persecution, and the hatred and persecution of others. Love does not sit idly by while others throw themselves headlong into Hell.
9. Do you love the truth? - 2 Thesselonians 2:10
Any true Christian will seek the truth in all things, especially God's Word; true Christians treasure the Bible and will never stop studying it, digging for the deep truths of God. Also, Christians will seek to avoid willful deception, and will look for and promote the truth in every area of life.
10. Are you child-like in your relationship with God? - Matthew 18:2-3
A person who is born-again will have a trusting faith in God, as a child trusts their parents. Although understanding may not immediately come, faith and obedience will always be present.
11. Do you control your speech? - James 1:26
A true Christian will work to keep his or her mouth under control; refrain from perverse language, slander, lies, and gossip; a true Christian will not be verbally abusive to others.Â
12. Perseverance - Mark 13:13
Real Christians will not forsake Jesus. No real Christian can live in open, unrepentant sin; any back-sliders whose salvation is real will have no pleasure in sin, and will come home again. If anyone can walk away from Jesus for good, it is doubtful that one ever really knew Him in the first place.
13. Do you walk in the Light? - 1 John 1:7
A true Christian develops sincere love for goodness, purity, and righteousness, and their life will reflect that. They will seek to be characterized by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24).
14. Do you live a lifestyle of repentance? - Luke 5:23
Upon real salvation, the Christian will commit to abandoning sin. This is not only a commitment made once, but also a day by day process; going forward, the believer will acknowledge faults and ask God's forgiveness as circumstances dictate, and will seek to remove sinful elements of their life as they become aware of them, judging themselves by the Word of God daily.
15. Are you willing to fight for the faith? - 2 Timothy 4:7
Christians are fighters, soldiers in an on-going war. Every single day, Christians will fight against the worldly philosophies and demonic lies of this age, against the constant attempts by those outside (and within) the Church to distort/butcher/abandon sound doctrine, and against their own fleshly desires. If you think you're in Christ and you're not fighting, something is wrong.
