LARGE NUMBERS of those who have professed JESUS CHRIST as personal Savior continue to have doubts, from time to time, as to whether or not they are really Christian. Here are some of the major causes of those doubts. We could go into more detail on doubting... however, we feel these are the major ones. Just ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the truth. God bless you now... as you examine.

1. "SECOND THOUGHTS" ABOUT CHILDHOOD DECISIONS . . . .

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO EXPLAIN THE GOSPEL to children and to encourage them to receive JESUS CHRIST as their personal Savior. However, it is also very important to encourage those same children to reaffirm their childhood decisions when they reach the teen-age years. Do they truly have a relationship with the Living God?

QUESTIONING CHILDHOOD DECISIONS not only results in doubts about salvation, but may motivate some to doubt God's existence.

2. AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT TOWARD AN OFFENDER . . . .

BITTERNESS TOWARD ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUALS has been a major cause of doubts about salvations. The words of JESUS CHRIST would certainly explain why...

"BUT IF YOU FORGIVE NOT MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES." (Matthew 6:15).

3. AN UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE PAST OFFENSES RIGHT

IF WE HAVE WRONGED SOMEBODY in the past and are not willing to ask their forgiveness and make necessary restitution... doubts about salvation often result. The guilt of the situation causes us not to have an open fellowship... or relationship... with the Lord.

4. A PARTICULAR SIN WE ARE UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ..

WHEN A PERSON SAYS, "I want to become a Christian, but there is one thing I don't want to give up..." he is laying the foundation for all kinds of future doubts. Becoming a Christian (being a follower of JESUS) means receiving and "confessing JESUS as Lord." If He is Lord or "boss..." then He decides what ALL our activities should be.

5. A POINT OF PRIDE IN BECOMING A CHRISTIAN . . . .

MANY HAVE EXPERIENCED DOUBTS about salvation and couldn't understand why. Upon questioning... it was learned that they decided to become a Christian their way. One purposed she would never "walk forward" in a meeting. If this has become a point of pride... it will cause doubts.