By A fish is known to be a fish by looking like a fish, swimming like a fish, eating like a fish, breathing like a fish and countless other fishy resemblances.
So it is with a Christian.
If a person acts like a Christian, believes like a Christian, speaks like a Christian, rests like a Christian and other Christ-like resemblances, then he or she is most likely a Christian. And if not, well, then he or she is most likely not a Christian.
What are you?
Here are some pastoral tests from an aged Apostle to bring confidence where there is confidence lacking, and to bring self-examination where needed. These are all from 1 John.
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
No one who denies the Son has the Father.
Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Whoever practices righteousness is righteous.
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil.
No one born of God makes a practice of sinning.
If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
What are you?
Read the letter of 1 John for God’s perspective on your salvation.