How Can I Be Sure I Will Be with Christ When He Returns?
- Keith Thomas
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Some people reading these meditations might be upset with me for bringing up this subject, but love for my fellow man requires it. When God decides that the time for Christ's return has come, many will be terrified to discover they will be shut out from the Kingdom of God. I never want that to happen to you, because Jesus said many would say to Him on that day, "Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!" but He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you’ (Matthew 25:11-12; Matthew 7:22-23).
The question we need to ask is, how can you know if you are truly born again of the Spirit and will go to be with Christ when He returns? We are asking this because, during our daily meditations over the past few days, we have seen Jesus teach Nicodemus that unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Let's examine this important question:
Several years ago, a young girl approached the elders of a church wanting to join. First, she was asked, “Did you ever find out that you were a sinner?” “Yes,” she replied hesitantly, “I did indeed.” The second question was, "Do you think, my girl, that you have undergone a change?” “I know I have,” she quickly responded. “Well,” the question continued, “and what change has come over you?” “Well,” she explained, “it's like this. Before I was converted, I was chasing after sin. Now, I am running away from it.” This character change is evidence of a born-again experience; it signifies both a shift in attitude and a change in life direction.
Let's take some time to review evidence that a person is truly born again, but be aware that these are not checklists of actions you can perform. The characteristics below are the fruits of an inner change brought about by the Holy Spirit, not our flesh.
1) Do you honestly believe the Gospel? We're not talking about just mentally acknowledging the truth of God's Word but having a heart belief that demonstrates godly values in your daily life. Your actions will reveal whether you believe it or not. Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" (Matthew 7:16). There should be growing evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:16-25).
2) Is there a thankful and loving heart of appreciation toward the Lord Jesus for dying on the cross for you?
3) Do you have a yearning to know and obey God’s Word? “But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him” (1 John 2:5).
4) Is there anticipation in your heart for the return of Christ? "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3; emphasis added).
5) Do you feel upset and disappointed with yourself when you sin? If you have invited Christ to sit on the throne of your life and have given Him control, the Spirit will convict you when you sin.
6) Do you love others who love God? Do you enjoy being around other Christians? “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death” (1 John 3:14).
7) Are you consciously aware of the Spirit working in your life? If so, this also shows the presence of God within you: “We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13).
My dear friends, my desire and prayer before God in writing these words is that you will have a sure hope and confidence before God at His coming. Keith Thomas
This meditation is a shortened version of the in-depth study: You Must Be Born Again.
We also have a video study on YouTube with subtitles in 70 languages. Hit the link below:
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