How Can You Be Sure That You Have Eternal Life?

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:13

How can I be sure? This may be the number one question that believers ask. And it is rightly asked by thoughtful believers. The question of assurance is pressed on us for several reasons.

1. Many people are abandoning a faith they once professed
A thinking person might reason, If others who once professed faith have walked away, how can I be sure that this will not happen to me?

2. Thoughtful believers see the limits of their own pursuit of holiness
Perhaps you have been dismayed by your lack of progress in the Christian life. After all these years, I should be further on than this. When you fall into a sin you have fallen into before, you wonder if your repentance was real. If I really repented, why am I back here again? We have a sneaking suspicion that a “true Christian” would be doing better than we are.

3. The New Testament describes a level of Christian experience beyond what we have known
Peter speaks about believers rejoicing with inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). Paul speaks about a peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7). Can I really say that this is my experience? Am I really a Christian?

God wants you to know that you have eternal life. And John says, “I want you to have the peace and joy of knowing that Christ, and all that He promises, is yours.”

Order these reasons from 1 (most troubling to you) to 3 (least troubling) as you seek assurance of your own faith.