How Can I Know That I Am Born Again?

I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour in 2002. After that day which I honestly chose to follow Jesus, I came out to the altar at different religious gatherings to still surrender my life to Jesus yet again. I couldn’t accept that what I did in 2002 was all I needed to do and nothing more. Guilt wouldn’t just let me accept that I was already a child of God since 2002!

Do you know people like me who go out for every altar call in the church? People that are always surrendering their lives to Jesus again and again…and again? Or do you look at other people who profess that they are born again and doubt their salvation experiences?  Are you one of such people who struggle with doubts and wonder whether your salvation experience is genuine? Then, it is important you read this. I will explain some litmus tests that can help you know whether you are born again below.

• THE HOLY SPIRIT: When you give your life to Jesus, He gives you the Holy Spirit, who is your first assurance of salvation. Just as there are papers/documents that verify that a child has been adopted, the Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation as Christians (Romans 8:15)

In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13

• HUNGER FOR GOD’S WORD: Genuine hunger for God’s word and for His presence is another evidence that you are born again. Every normal new born baby hungers for the mother’s milk; and this also applies to new born believers. It is safe to say that consistent lack of hunger for God’s word is an indication that you were never born again.

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word of God that you may grow thereby. 1 Peter 2:2

• HATRED FOR SIN: Another evidence that you are born again is a distaste for sin. This reflects in your attitude when you sin, the strong desire to change and your quick repentance whenever you do what displeases God.

No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and ^[a]habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten)

of God. 1 John 3:9 (Amplified Classic)

• LOVE: Love for others is another sign that you are born again. God is love, and when you become born again, His Spirit lives in you and sheds His love abroad in your heart. (Romans 5:5). You can’t claim to know God and hate others. It is impossible!

We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren.  He that loves not his brother abides in death. (1 Peter 3:14)

• BOLDNESS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL: When you become born again, you have an uncontained desire and boldness to share the good news with others. Everyone who discovers something worthwhile wants to share their discovery with others, how much more those who find the greatest treasure of all times: Jesus Christ.

 I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

• FORGIVENESS: When you easily forgive others, irrespective of the gravity of their offence(s), it is a sign that you are born again. This is because those who have truly received the forgiveness of Jesus, and understand how unworthy they are to partake of His selfless love find it easy to give what they have so freely received: forgiveness.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32

• DOING GOOD WORKS: Another important evidence that you are born again is revealed by your good works. We are saved to serve God and others, and our service often plays out in the good works we do. It is not enough to profess to be born again or to know God, our lifestyle and actions must be in tandem with the ways of God. (Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 5:22-23)

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Titus 3:8

Having the assurance of salvation is important as a believer. However, it is also important to note that this assurance is not a feeling. Our Christian journey is a walk of faith and to everyone that has genuinely given their lives to Jesus, this faith is real. As we journey in God, it is equally necessary to do faith-checks from time to time. Paul advises this:

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2 Corinthians 13:5

Have you confessed Jesus as your Lord and saviour? Do you have the above listed signs or evidences in your life? Then, you are born again. However, for those who are still not sure about their salvation, I implore you to say this prayer sincerely:

Jesus, I know that I am a sinner in urgent need of your grace. I have heard your knock at the door of my heart, and I choose to open the door to you today. Come into my heart and take over my life. Let your blood cleanse my heart of every sin and make me a citizen of your kingdom today. Thank You for making me a new creature. Amen.

God bless you.