This is an absolutely vital question, because if you're not, you will receive what you deserve. If you are a Christian, that means someone else already received what you deserve. Jesus Christ drank the wrath of God of the cross - but not for everyone.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (Jn 3:16).
Do you honestly believe that Jesus Christ died for you? Not "do you feel like you do," but do you believe in His atoning work on the cross? Do you believe that from your mind? Of course you do. James says that "even demons believe God is one" (James 2:19) - so of course there are many people who believe in Christ the Redeemer - but only in their minds. But if you believe from your heart (Romans 10:9-10), God says you will not perish but have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (Jn 3:16).
Do you honestly believe that Jesus Christ died for you? Not "do you feel like you do," but do you believe in His atoning work on the cross? Do you believe that from your mind? Of course you do. James says that "even demons believe God is one" (James 2:19) - so of course there are many people who believe in Christ the Redeemer - but only in their minds. But if you believe from your heart (Romans 10:9-10), God says you will not perish but have eternal life.
Furthermore, look at the 1st epistle of John - the whole point of him writing the letter was so believers would KNOW they had eternal life (1 Jn 5:13). How? Well, he proposes fruit-tests. Jesus said that "you will know them by their fruit," (Mat 7:16-17), and "the world will know you are my disciples if you love one another," (John 13:35). Some people shout "that's judging!" Well yes, it is, and Jesus says "that's how people will you are my disciple." John 7:24 says "stop judging by mere appearances and judge with righteousness." You are supposed to judge, just not by mere "appearances." Just because someone says "I'm a Christian," doesn't mean you should just judge the book by the cover and go "yep, they're a Christian." Look at their life!
God says you're a Christian if:
1. You acknowledge your sin and live accordingly (ie. repent when you feel convicted - continuously). - 1 Jn 1:8-10
2. You obey his commands, for they aren't burdensome to you. - 1 Jn 2:3, 5:3
3. You aren't in love with the world and it's things, but rather God. Your joy is not to go shopping or watch a movie with friends, but rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit. - 1 Jn 2:15-16
4. You don't live immersed in sin, like a diver deep beneath the surface in the dark waters of sin (1 Jn 1:6), but rather fly in the light of God (1 Jn 1:7) along the surface of the water - yes, occasionally getting wet in sin, but never immersed wholly and constantly in the depths of sin. - 1 Jn 3:5-6,9
5. Looking back on your life, you can see yourself becoming more and more like Jesus Christ (yes, with times of dark nights of the soul, but even then you become more like Him). - 1 Jn 2:6
6. The world persecutes you for being a child of God - 1 Jn 3:13
7. You love Christians and would rather be with a few Christians than anyone else - even people the same gender, age, race, and language of you who have had similar experiences in your life. And you love fellowship with real, genuine Christians. - 1 John 1:7, 3:14
8. The Spirit lives in you. - 1 Jn 3:24, 4:13
9. You would publically anounce Jesus as Lord (in context, in Roman times, confessing Jesus as Lord, instead of Caesar, would frequently result in decapitation) - 1 Jn 4:15, Romans 10:9-10
If you fail even one of these tests, you aren't a Christian. "Judging!!!!!" Yes, but with righteousness.
God says you're a Christian if:
1. You acknowledge your sin and live accordingly (ie. repent when you feel convicted - continuously). - 1 Jn 1:8-10
2. You obey his commands, for they aren't burdensome to you. - 1 Jn 2:3, 5:3
3. You aren't in love with the world and it's things, but rather God. Your joy is not to go shopping or watch a movie with friends, but rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit. - 1 Jn 2:15-16
4. You don't live immersed in sin, like a diver deep beneath the surface in the dark waters of sin (1 Jn 1:6), but rather fly in the light of God (1 Jn 1:7) along the surface of the water - yes, occasionally getting wet in sin, but never immersed wholly and constantly in the depths of sin. - 1 Jn 3:5-6,9
5. Looking back on your life, you can see yourself becoming more and more like Jesus Christ (yes, with times of dark nights of the soul, but even then you become more like Him). - 1 Jn 2:6
6. The world persecutes you for being a child of God - 1 Jn 3:13
7. You love Christians and would rather be with a few Christians than anyone else - even people the same gender, age, race, and language of you who have had similar experiences in your life. And you love fellowship with real, genuine Christians. - 1 John 1:7, 3:14
8. The Spirit lives in you. - 1 Jn 3:24, 4:13
9. You would publically anounce Jesus as Lord (in context, in Roman times, confessing Jesus as Lord, instead of Caesar, would frequently result in decapitation) - 1 Jn 4:15, Romans 10:9-10
If you fail even one of these tests, you aren't a Christian. "Judging!!!!!" Yes, but with righteousness.
