Test: How can I know that I am going to heaven? 1 John

I John's Test (5:13-14)

["I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 Jhn 5:13-14 HCSB) The following questions are the "these things" John wrote, but they have been switched from a statement into a question.]

 1. Have you enjoyed fellowship with the body of Christ (the church), Christ, and the Father?  

1 John 1:2-3    

 2.  Are you living by (obeying) the truth (what is written in the Bible)?  1:5-6

 3. Do you consistently tell the truth (no lying)?  1:6, 10; 2:4

 4. Are you sensitive to sin?  1:7-10

 5. Do you obey God's Word? (keep His commands)  2:3-5, 14

     [intentionally obey the commands in the Bible]

 6. Do you live a lifestyle that is like Christ's?  2:6

 7. Do you love other true Christians?  (Can't stay away from them? Heb. 10:24ff.) 2:9-11; 3:10, 14-19; 4:7-11, 17

 8. Do you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven because of Christ's work?  2:12

 9. Do you personally know God the Father and God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ?   2:13-14, 22-25 (5:20)

10. Do you reject this evil world?  (Its views, perspective, thinking, lifestyle) 2:15

11. Are you remaining with the people of God (involved in Church life)?   2:19

12. Do you practice proper behavior?  (What is the direction of your life?) 2:29

13. Do you eagerly await Christ's return?  3:2-3

14. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? 3:4-10; 5:18

15. Have you experienced the "new birth" being 'born again'?  3:9 (2:29; 5:1,18) [born of God or born from above, see John 3:1-8]

16. Have you suffered rejection because of your faith in Christ? 3:13

17. Do you experience answered prayer?  3:22-4; 5:13-15

18. Can you discern between spiritual truth and error? (Do you affirm the humanity and Deity of Christ?) 4:1-3 (2:14, 20-22; 5:20)

19. Do you listen to, believe and obey the Word of God?  (N.T., Apostles)   4:6

20. Do you experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life? Have you been indwelt by the Holy Spirit? 4:12-13 (2:20, 27; 4:4)

21. Do you fully acknowledge that Jesus is the Savior and the Son of God?  4:14-15 (5:5) [with your lips, heart, and life] Do you believe on Him? [Trust Him for deliverance from punishment]  (2:13-14; 3:23)

22. Are you fearful that God will punish or torment you for your sins?   4:18

23. Do you believe that Jesus is the Messiah?  Do you love Jesus? 5:1    (2:22-23)

24. Do you have a recognizable faith?  Do you overcome the world? 5:4-6

25. Do you refrain from sin (breaking any of God's laws)?  5:18

     [not choosing too continue in any sinful practice]

Note for the believer. Consider the above test in light of these encouraging verses.

⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin . . . ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 (1 Jhn 1:7, 9 NASB)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; ² and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (1 Jhn 2:1-2 NASB)