Before you can grow in your relationship to the Lord, you must be confident in your relationship to the Lord. In terms of confidence or assurance, there are basically three groups of people:

First, there are genuine Christians who sometimes struggle with doubts. In the back of their minds there is always the gnawing question, “Am I really saved?” They worry over this when they wake up in the middle of the night. They ask, “Did I believe enough?” “Was I sincere enough?” “Did I really mean it when I asked Jesus to save me?” They think, “How can I really be a Christian when I struggle with so much sin and doubt?” Satan, our enemy, loves to exploit these feelings. He knows that if he can keep a Christian in doubt, that lack of confidence will minimize spiritual growth.

Second, there are counterfeit Christians who believe they are genuinely saved. They really believe they are Christians. They may give money and serve as volunteers for ministry. They sit alongside genuine Christians in the church pews but they are unredeemed. They are trusting in something other than Jesus for salvation.

Third, there are genuine Christians who are confident and growing in their relationship to Christ. They have examined their lives to be certain they are in Christ. Though they sometimes fall into sin, their hearts are tender and they quickly repent and trust in God’s faithfulness to forgive.

Are you a counterfeit, doubting Christian or confident Christian?