I’m Certain of One Thing

Do you know that you know that you know? Do you remember the day and the time you got saved? If you died tonight, do you know where you would go? Are you 100% sure?

What do all of these questions have in common? They used to scare me to death and they have been used at the end of youth services and camps to manipulate students into “making decisions” for years it seems. Growing up in the church, there was so much importance on this thing that happened at one point in time and if you couldn’t remember the details of that moment when you accepted Jesus—what the preacher was wearing, what the weather was like, what time it was—then maybe it wasn’t genuine. So flocks of youth would race down the aisle of salvation again and again, pray another prayer, and go forward every chance they got.

I was stuck in that pattern for a while, seriously doubting my faith many times. No one ever asked how my life had changed, or if I was growing in my faith. All the importance was on that moment, which for me had happened when I was 7 years old. How was I supposed to remember everything that happened when I was 7? What I always did remember though was God’s hand being on me, guiding me while I was in school. I did remember wanting to live a certain way and pursue certain things, but no one ever asked about that stuff, so there I was surrounded by church but still doubting my faith all the time.

It wasn’t until much later that I was taught how to actually be certain about where I stood with God. I learned it wasn’t about remembering a day, but knowing someone. It wasn’t about praying a prayer; it was about following a Savior. It wasn’t about a list of do’s and don’ts; it was about choosing the best. And this week as I studied through 1 John again, I was reminded of what it looks like to be certain. This week’s lesson is huge. Far too many followers of Christ don’t live their faith because they’re too busy doubting their faith. But there’s also that crowd that thinks they know God but really don’t. So is there a way to really know? Absolutely.

Three questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you obey Christ? Easy question, many ramifications. To obey Christ, you have to be able to hear His words and understand what He’s saying. So, at some point in your life, you had to choose to accept His offer of salvation and have your eyes opened to His love and grace. You have to also know His words, which requires reading the Bible and spending time with Him. 1 John 2 makes it really clear that if you have come to know Him, you obey His commands.
2. Do you love others? If you walk in the light, if you know Jesus, then you can’t hate your brother. Our culture teaches us to take care of ourselves and look out for number one. Christ teaches us to look after others, to be a servant of all. Do you show the love of Christ to other people? If you are His child, you will.
3. What is Jesus to you? Do you prefer Him to the world? Does He satisfy you? Watch this clip as John Piper speaks with amazing truth on this point.

Who have you received Him as?

These are questions I’m learning to ask myself on a regular basis. There’s a constant pull from the world to return to our old ways and choices. So even though we can be certain about our faith, we have to make sure we’re living it also. It is my prayer that my life is always moving in the direction these questions are pointing. I’ll never get it completely right, that’s what His grace is for, but this is the direction I am certain I want to go. What about you?