Is It Well with Your Soul? – Paula Washer
As believers living in a culture filled with Christian language, churches on every corner, and easy access to theological resources, it’s easy to assume all is well with our souls. But if we strip away outward appearances our church attendance, ministry involvement, or solid doctrinal affirmations is it truly well with your soul? Are you walking in authentic faith and obedience to Christ, or have you settled for the comfort of association with spiritual things?
The Blessing and Danger of Being in a Gospel-Centered Church
It’s a tremendous privilege to be part of a church that faithfully teaches the Word. Yet, there’s an underlying danger that lurks: spiritual complacency. It’s possible for someone to sit under sound teaching week after week, to be surrounded by Christians and to participate in church activities, and yet still be spiritually asleep or lost. Why? Because it’s all too easy to assume that proximity to truth guarantees transformation. But God calls us to more than mere identification with Christian culture He wants genuine surrender and relationship.
Examining the Evidence of Genuine Faith
The question isn’t simply, “Are you in church?” but rather, “What evidence is there that you belong to Christ?” This is a deeply personal inquiry one that demands not just intellectual consent but heartfelt commitment.
The Message of Jesus: Repent and Believe
In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus began His ministry by preaching, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” These aren’t just one-time commands; they’re ongoing calls. True conversion isn’t a box we check off after a single prayer. Though there may be a decisive moment of surrender in our past, ongoing repentance and faith are marks of continuing spiritual life. Each new day offers believers a fresh glimpse of God’s holiness, our own need, and the sufficiency of Christ. This isn’t a call to despair over sin, but rather to marvel ever more in the saving grace of Jesus as He daily shapes us into His likeness.
The Narrow Gate and the Narrow Path
Jesus warned in Matthew 7:13-14 that while the gate to life is narrow, so is the path that follows it. It’s common in modern Christianity to emphasize that Jesus alone is the path to salvation indeed, He is! Yet, Jesus also taught that the journey of faith is marked by obedience and transformation. Walking the narrow way isn’t what saves us; rather, it is the evidence of salvation. If your life is indistinguishable from the world apart from Sunday mornings you must ask: Have I really entered through the narrow gate?
The Fruit of Transformation
Throughout Scripture, the authenticity of faith is proven by its fruit. Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). Just as you wouldn’t expect apples from a thorn bush, a life touched by grace will necessarily bear the fruit of that transformation. A genuine encounter with Christ greater by far than the impact of any earthly force cannot leave a soul unchanged.
The miracle of the new birth is not simply a reformed will but a regenerated heart. When the Holy Spirit enters, He produces new desires and a new direction. You may stumble, but if Christ is in you, He will faithfully discipline, restore, and keep you on the path.
Regeneration: A True Change of Nature
Consider the illustration of a pig who, given its nature, delights in filth. But if that pig were miraculously transformed into a human, it would feel deep shame over what once satisfied. So it is with conversion: God performs a greater miracle than creation itself by transforming rebellious sinners into lovers of righteousness.
“I Never Knew You” The Warning of Superficial Faith
One of Christ’s most sobering warnings comes in Matthew 7:21-23. Many on the last day will claim to know Jesus, pointing to spiritual experiences and ministry accomplishments. Yet, Jesus will respond, “I never knew you.” The test is not whether we can say the right things or perform religiously impressive works, but whether we have a living, obedient relationship with Him. Biblical “knowing” isn’t mere head knowledge; it’s intimacy, partnership, and fellowship. Does Christ know you as one who walks with Him, loves Him, and seeks to do His will?
Christ as Lord Submitting Our Entire Lives
Christ’s lordship is not just an abstract theological point. It is practical, touching every aspect of daily life. God’s revealed will in Scripture governs our thoughts, marriages, parenting, vocations, and private conduct. If we claim faith in Christ but do not seek to place every area of life under His kingship, we risk deceiving ourselves. Genuine Christians come to Scripture not just for information but for transformation actively arranging their lives to align with the commands and teachings of Jesus.
The Tests of True Christianity (1 John)
Assurance doesn’t come from a vague feeling, but from the Word of God. 1 John was written to give believers a biblical basis for assurance by providing practical tests, or markers, of genuine faith.
Test One: A Changed Lifestyle
1 John 1:5-7 teaches that God is light, and His children walk in the light. If our daily pattern of living our “walk” is characterized by darkness, we cannot honestly claim fellowship with Him. This is not about instant perfection, but about a new trajectory. The Spirit leads us out of habitual, unrepentant sin and into increasing conformity to Christ.
Test Two: Awareness and Confession of Sin
The second sign of true faith is not sinlessness, but sensitivity to sin. True believers are not those who claim to be above sin, but those who are humble, quick to confess, and grieved by their failings. If you can persist in sin without conviction, you must question whether the Spirit of God indwells you.
