Test If Your Salvation Is Real
The Bible repeatedly teaches that it is possible to have "dead faith" and be deceived into thinking you are saved when you are not. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate your Christianity and verify that your faith and your salvation are genuine. The Book of James includes a series of Bible messages that serve as metrics by which Christians can measure the authenticity of their faith.
James was the half-brother of Jesus, and at the time he wrote this epistle, he was the leader of the Jerusalem Church and was possibly the top authority in the church at large. In this epistle, James is unapologetic in addressing those in the congregation who were NOT saved but probably thought that they were. James discusses various real-life situations and describes Godly responses as compared to worldly (ungodly) responses for each situation.
There is a Biblical reason these tests of faith are meaningful. As Christians, we receive the Holy Spirit. Through the transformational influence of the Holy Spirit, we are lead to increasing Godly understanding (Godly wisdom), increasing Godly attitudes, and increasing Godly behaviors. In other words, we transition from worldly responses to Godly responses through the transformational influence of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the presence of Godly responses and behaviors is solid evidence of the indwelling Holy Spirit of which is only present in those who have genuine salvation.
Each test (or metric) is discussed in the links to the left. It is unlikely that Christians fully achieve Godly behavior on this side of heaven, but the genuine Christian will be growing in that direction. As a Christian grows in their faith, they can also assess their spiritual maturity by how well their behavior matches the Godly response. The unsaved should recognize their condition by the total absence of any Godly response. Unbelievers may be able to mimic a Godly response for a time, but if they do, it will not be from the heart, and it will not endure.
The Godly response can be characterized by an attitude of love, humility, and submissive service to Jesus as our Savior and our Redeemer and as our all-powerful, all-knowing God. Please study the Book of James (it's only 5 chapters), and specifically study each metric individually to fully grasp James' description of Godly and worldly behavior.
One of the most haunting passages in scripture is Matthew 7:21-23,
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And I then will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'
The use of the term "Lord, Lord" indicates their impression of having a close relationship with Jesus, plus they even participated in prophecy, casting out demons, and performing miracles. Not only did they consider themselves to be saved, but some were probably considered leaders in the church. But salvation is a heart issue, and Jesus knew that, in their hearts, they did not humbled themselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, and He said, "I never knew you; depart from Me,". These are the most frightening words anyone will ever hear. They did NOT have a genuine saving relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior, and they did not sufficiently test that their faith and salvation were authentic.