Rene Descartes wrote in 1637, “Cognito, ergo sum.” That means, “I think, therefore I am.” We know we exist because we are sentient beings.

During a dream last night, I thought, “I believe, therefore I am born again.” That is essentially a spiritual rearrangement of what Descartes wrote nearly four hundred years ago.

How do I know I am God’s child? How can I be sure I have everlasting life and will never perish? Because I believe what the Lord Jesus promised. That is what He promised in John 3:16 and many other verses.

I find it sad that most people in Christianity do not look to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ for assurance. Instead, they look within themselves. How good are my motives and attitudes? My words? My actions? Do I look like what a believer should look like?

Just as we do not base our physical existence on subjective measures like intelligence, strength, speed, or stamina, we should not base our spiritual existence on our maturity level. Our existence as believers is not determined by our actions or characteristics, but by our belief in the Lord Jesus. It is this belief that assures us of our eternal life.

If the Lord Jesus had said, “He who does these seven tasks has everlasting life and will never perish,” then we’d be sure of our eternal destiny if we fulfilled the seven tasks. In that case, we’d be called taskers. The issue would not be belief, but tasks fulfilled.

Are you a believer? Jesus asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26b). We can all find our assurance right there. Do I believe what the Lord Jesus said in John 11:25-26a? Yes, I do. So I know I have everlasting life, and I will never perish.

I believe. Therefore, I am.