How Can You Tell if You Are Really a Christian?by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger 04 Jun 2008 08:25 PM How can you tell if you have really come to know Jesus and entered into a relationship with Him? In our home bible study group we recently started studying the John's letters and 1 John 2 gives some answers to this question. I John 2:3 says we 'know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commands.' Obeying rules and regulations are not our entry ticket to heaven. That comes only through knowing Jesus. But, when we do know Jesus and have come into a relationship with Him, then we will want to please Him by keeping His commands. So keeping His commands is the result or the proof, if you like, of knowing Jesus. John goes on to say that Christians need to walk 'in the same manner as He walked' verse 6. Jesus' life was one of self sacrifice, service, love and compassion. That is what ours needs to be. Is your life and mine, one of self sacrifice, service, love and compassion? If it is not, what things might you and I have to change to be more obedient and follow Jesus more closely? John also says that 'the one who loves his brother (that is, fellow Christians) abides in the light' verse 10, whereas the 'one who hates his brother is in the darkness' verse 11. I'm sure we all know some Christians that are abrasive and rub us up the wrong way and that we find hard to love. If we encounter this difficulty we need to ask God to help us love them as He does. Pray for them on a regular basis and try and find ways you can connect with them. Jesus commands his disciples to 'love one another, even as I have loved you,' John 13:34. In this way others will know that we are his disciples when they see that love, John 13:35. Note it is a command to love one another, not an optional extra. In what ways to you and I need to change to be more loving to other Christians? Bible verses from The New American Standard Version Please visit these related blogs Ritual and rules or relationship? Learn more about Dale Harcombe  Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults. Relevantchristian tags User Comments trying2bmanofGod (219) 05 Jun 2008 02:10 PMVery well said, though to honest I find loving some to be very difficult, but it is a command not a request.  Dale Harcombe (10333) 05 Jun 2008 03:20 PMI find it hard too, which is why I need God's help. But with a command we don't have a choice, so we have to then say 'God , help me. I can't do it on my own.' Even then at times it is not easy. But the the Christian life isn't. But I can't imagine living any other way. trying2bmanofGod (219) 07 Jun 2008 01:03 PMVery well said. tmwhalens (275) 07 Jan 2009 09:35 PMI think those Christians that are abrasive NEED our love, as much as we should WANT to love them. Abrasiveness is a sign of insecurity, resentment and bad experiences.....in my own experience. I am working to be less abrasive toward others, and God has helped me to feel more secure about myself, less resentful of the way I might have been treated (or perceived that treatment) in the past.  thankful (291) 07 Jan 2009 10:52 PMEven if you dont know how you feel ...God knows and I believe he is the only one that ever really knows our true feelings. Dale Harcombe (10333) 08 Jan 2009 12:55 PMSo true,tmwhalens. Probably something we all need to work on at times. Dale Harcombe (10333) 08 Jan 2009 12:57 PMThanks for your comment thankful. And it's it great tht God knows how we feel! Community Tags assurance, commands, knowing Jesus, relationship, ritual and rules Discuss this article
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