How Can We Be Sure?

This past week my son got sent home from school early because he had symptoms of sickness; sneezing, runny nose, congestion. I was pretty sure he just had a cold, but because of policy changes since the pandemic, the school required him to get tested for COVID. He wasn’t allowed to return to school or work unless he tested negative or self-quarantined for 10 days. So although it was inconvenient taking time to get him tested, his symptoms made it necessary so we knew where he stood. Ultimately, we needed to be sure.

This same week, I came across this passage in 1 John that reminds us there’s even more important things we need to be sure about than whether or not we have COVID: 

My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely. He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s.

And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to?

Someone may say, “I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.” But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did. ~ 1 John 2:2-6

Just like with COVID, there are certain “symptoms” that are overwhelmingly present when someone is truly following Christ:

1. We stay away from sin (we actively seek to kill sin in our lives and are sensitive to sin and it’s consequences in those around us)

2. We are in active fellowship/relationship with God

3. We do what God wants and tells us to do

4. We seek to live as Christ did

5. We love God more and more

Does God expect us to be perfect like Christ? No. But if we truly belong to Christ, these “symptoms” should mark our lives. Single moms, single dads…are these true of you? Are you willing to be tested so you can be sure? I challenge you to ask people around you (Christians and non-Christians) if these five things are true of you.

If there is one thing in this life we want to be sure about, shouldn’t it be knowing that we belong to Jesus?