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What makes us a Christian is actually invisible in our hearts. So, we have to look for the evidence of something that we cannot see with our eyes. We can think of this like the wind. You do not see the wind, but when you see the tops of trees dancing, or feel a breeze on your skin, or hear the wind howling, you know the wind is there.

Something changes inside of us when we become a Christian. We used to be slaves of sin, but now because we know Jesus died to set us free from sin, we are free to love and trust in God.

How do I know this has happened in my life? Someone once shared with me some helpful questions.

I could ask: Do I love Jesus perfectly? If I am a Christian, I will likely answer that question “no”. Christians are aware that because of sin they do not love Jesus perfectly. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” (John 14:15) A Christian knows that we or she does not keep all of God’s commands perfectly.

Second, I could ask: Do I love Jesus as I ought to? The answer to that question will also be no because I know I do not love Jesus perfectly. I ought to love him perfectly.

Third, I could ask: Do I love Jesus at all? I am not asking, “Do I love Jesus as I want him to be?” That would not be loving him. Rather, “Do I love Jesus as he has revealed himself to me in the Scriptures, the Bible?

If I can answer that last question with, “yes”, while answering the other two no, that probably shows me that something invisible has taken place in my heart. I know my sin. I know I need Jesus to set me free. I love Jesus, because he is the only one who can set me free to love and follow him the rest of my life, even if I struggle to perfectly love him.

The Apostle says in Romans 8:14–17:

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

Let’s pray: Father, thank you for sending your Son to set us free from sin to love and trust you. Even if we do not love you perfectly, we love you because of what you have done for us. Therefore, we are assured that we are Christians, not by our perfect love for you but the heartfelt understanding that you have loved us perfectly. Help us, in response to your love, follow you. Amen.