How Can One Know He Is a Christian? (Part 2)

Our previous article was intended primarily to show from the Bible how one can know the exact point he becomes a child of God. Our concern in the present article is how the Christian can have continued confidence.

John made it clear that confidence is possible. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

We can know we have eternal life if we “walk in the light.” “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

This passage is directed to Christians and is very comforting because it assures us that Christ’s blood keeps us cleaned as we walk in the light. It does not stop cleansing each and every time we sin until we come to knowledge of that sin, repent and confess it. Such teaching would mean all are lost (1 John 1:8, 10).

The phrase “walk in the light” is used to denote one’s life or conduct. Faithful Christians strive diligently for perfection (Heb. 11:6; Phil. 3:13; 2 Pet. 1:5; 3:14; Prov. 4:23). It is understood that repentance and confession of sin, honesty, diligence, brotherly love, etc., are all included in the phrase, "walk in the light.” The question is not HOW we walk, but WHERE we are walking. Isaiah appealed to the house of Jacob saying, "Come let us walk in the light of the Lord" (Isa. 2:5).

Certainly God is light, but we are merely imperfect humans. We must walk in the light of the Lord, which indicates the place. No person can live in the sun but all can walk in the sunlight. One who walks in the light is one who has his mind set to follow the instructions of the Lord.

God said, "I show mercy on whom I will" (Ex. 33:19). Those whom he forgives are said to be “blessed.” Paul wrote, "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Romans 4:6-8). The man whose sins are covered is the man who walks in the light (1 John 1:7).

The scriptures [My book says to cap scriptures: Scriptures] are not only clear regarding the point that one becomes a Christian but also teach that we can know if we are continuing “in the faith” (Col. 1:23). Others can judge us by our fruits (John 15:2) but we should examine or test ourselves daily to assure we are faithful in Christ (2 Cor. 13:5). “But I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected” (1 Cor. 9:27 ASV ).

One can know he is a Christian after he believes in Jesus, repents and is baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:37, 38). Thus, those who obey the gospel need have no doubts at all (Rom. 6:17, 18; 10:16). Continued confidence is based upon their “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7).

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org