Examining Ourselves for the Evidence of True Salvation

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…” — 2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV

This isn’t the kind of thing I enjoy writing about, but it’s what I must write. Eternity is too long, and hell is too real, to take our salvation lightly. Plus, I don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands.

We live in a time where many claim Christ with their lips, but their hearts and lives remain far from Him. In recovery circles especially, it’s tempting to adopt Christian language without undergoing true transformation. Noteworthy is that all too many ‘churches’ are apostate as they have become feel good entertainment centers rather than local and holy gatherings of believers who learn the Bible, learn Biblical prophecy, worship, pray, serve, and grow together in faith.

So today, let’s look at some sobering truths from Scripture that, hopefully, challenge us to examine ourselves so that we, without any doubt, know that we are true believers and Heaven bound.

Before You Begin This Study: A Call to Honest Self-Reflection

Not everyone who says they’re a Christian is truly saved. Those are not my words—that warning came straight from the mouth of Jesus. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21, NKJV). That verse is not meant to scare us but to sound a loud alarm to wake us up. Many people think they’re saved because they repeated a prayer once or attended church as a child. Others assume they’re fine with God because they feel spiritual, believe in Jesus mentally, or have had emotional moments in worship. But none of that guarantees salvation.

Real salvation changes a person. It brings conviction of sin, a hunger for God, and a deep desire to obey Him. It doesn’t mean we become perfect, but it does mean we’re no longer the same. When Jesus enters someone’s life, He doesn’t come to decorate it… He comes to take over. So we must ask the hard question: Have I truly been saved, or have I just been religious?

In 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV), Paul gives a sobering command: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” This is not a call to self-doubt; it’s a call to make sure our faith is genuine. If we’ve built our hope of Heaven on a shaky foundation, wouldn’t we want to know before it’s too late? Life can end at any moment, regardless of age.

The workbook page that follows is not about condemnation. It’s about clarity. It walks through signs that may reveal whether a person has truly been born again or is still lost and unaware. These statements are not judgments of your heart; they are checkpoints for your soul. If any of them describe you, don’t harden your heart. Instead, cry out to Jesus for true salvation. He is merciful. He is willing. And He is able to save anyone who truly comes to Him in true repentance and faith.

This is not about fear. this is about truth. And truth, when embraced, sets us free.

Take a deep breath. Be honest. God already knows the beginning and the end. Let Him show you the truth about where you stand, and if needed, let this be the moment everything changes.

1. I may not be saved if I continue in sin without conviction.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. If I feel no sorrow, discomfort, or desire to change when I sin, that is a red flag. Salvation doesn’t make me perfect, but it does produce godly sorrow that leads to repentance.
📖 “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” (1 John 3:6 NKJV)

2. I may not be saved if there is no fruit or change in my life.

A truly saved person begins to grow in Christ. While progress may be slow, it should be noticeable. Salvation always bears visible fruit over time.
📖 “You will know them by their fruits… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:16–17 NKJV)
📖 See also Galatians 5:22–23

3. I may not be saved if I reject or ignore God’s Word.

Love for Jesus is tied to love for His Word. A saved heart longs to hear from God and obey Him.
📖 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23 NKJV)

4. I may not be saved if I’m ashamed of Jesus in front of others.

Faith is not meant to be hidden. If I’m truly saved, I won’t be able to keep it to myself… even in the face of rejection.
📖 “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33 NKJV)

5. I may not be saved if I live for myself, not Christ.

Salvation means total submission and complete surrender to Jesus. If I’m still the one calling the shots in my life, I may be following religion… not the risen Lord Jesus.
📖 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24 NKJV)

Self-Examination Questions:

Take time to prayerfully and honestly answer the following:

1. Do I feel convicted when I sin, or do I excuse it?
   Write about a time you justified a sinful habit.
2. Has there been genuine change in my life since I claimed to follow Christ?
   What fruit of the Spirit do I see… or not see, in myself?
3. Do I read the Bible to obey it or just to check a box?
   What is the most recent way I’ve obeyed or ignored God’s Word?
4. Am I bold about my faith, or do I hide it from others?
   Describe how open you are about Jesus with friends or coworkers.
5. Who makes the final decisions in my life… me or Jesus?
   List three areas where you’re still holding the reins.

Prayer of Honest Surrender:

Abba Father… if I’ve deceived myself, open my eyes. I don’t want man made religion. I want a real relationship with You that will take me to Heaven at the end of my days here on earth. Search my heart, reveal my sin, and lead me to true repentance. Make me new, and help me to walk in Your truth, not just with my words, but with everything in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a blessed rest of your day as you surrender everything to the Lord!