How Can I Know For Sure That I'm Truly Saved?

We've often been asked, "How can I know for sure that I'm truly saved?" Did you know that the Bible gives us the answer in very clear and specific terms? 

1 John 3:14-24 says...

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother hath need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and we do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

So, who do you prefer to spend your time with? Godly Christians? People who are firm in the faith and want what's scripturally sound for you? Or do you prefer to spend your time with carnal Christians? Those who have one foot in the church and one in the world? Those who claim to be Christians...they talk Jesus...yet spend all their time chasing after, and indulging in, all the things of the world? This passage of scripture makes it clear. We know that we have passed from death unto life (are truly saved) by our love for (regard and treatment of) the brethren (other born-again believers of Jesus Christ) and by our keeping the commands of Christ and doing those things which are pleasing in His sight.