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?? (2 Cor. 13:5)
1. I feel convicted when I sin so I repent and feel sorry that I grieved Him
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:6)
2. He disciplines me and I respond to His correction, even if it sometimes takes a while!
If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. (Heb. 12:8)
3. I make it a practice to obey His commandments, though I am a work in progress.
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:3-6)
4. I abide in His word (want to know His will, pray about things, and follow what He says to me as I understand his will) as a normal course of life.
Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:14, 27)
5. I bear fruit for Him
“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (John 15:8 NLT)
6. I deny myself, pick up my cross, and follow Him
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24 NLT)
7. I love Him more than I love the world
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)
8. I love my brother
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:20-21)
9. I forgive others and hold no grudges
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (John 6:14-15)
10. I love my enemies
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (John 5:43-45)
This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all the signs of salvation, but a summary. Nor is this meant to be a laundry list of works one can do to be saved or stay saved. We are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). They are “signs” that one IS saved. In other words, when one is saved by Christ, these signs come forth in their life. That doesn’t mean that all these signs always appear at once or we always walk in them, but that one desires to grow in them and as a result of God working in our hearts they do increase in us. Others will be able to look at our lives and see the “signs” of Christianity working in us.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Tim. 4:15)
What’s important to note is that these “signs” come forth because Christ is in us and working in us. These “signs” show forth the work of His Spirit in us. So, they come forth as we allow Him to work through us. It’s the Spirit of God producing the fruit of our salvation in us. Our role is to be obedient and cooperate and be led by the Spirit of God.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal. 2:20)
May these “signs” of Christ’s life in you abound more and more as you depend upon Him and persevere in His will.