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SIGNS OF SALVATION

True Christians will show definite signs of a real experience with God that has resulted in a genuine conversion to Christ. The following are EVIDENCES – (not PROOF!) that a person has passed “from death to life”. The first group are EXTERNAL – ones that you, the counselor, can recognize. The second are INTERNAL, and those which the new Christians should look for in his own life.

OUTWARD:

1. DESIRE FOR SCRIPTURE – A true Christian wants to read the Bible to find out what God expects of him. Scripture is spiritual “food”. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”. (Matthew 4:4)
2. DIFFERENCE OF STANDARD – A radical change in habit, action and purpose. A New Christian wants to be different in word, thought and deed. It may take time for the inward change to show outwardly in some things, but never condemn a new convert for what he is until you find out first what he wants to be! “ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:5-16; Ephesians 4:20-24; Philippians 3:7; 1 John 3:1-3).
3. DIFFERENCE OF SELF – A child of God begins to tighten the rein on old habits of self-indulgence. A sterner eye is given to areas of life (such as food and drink, changing both the quality and quantity). Harmful stimulants, late nights (and late mornings), extravagant dressing and living begin to dealt with by the Cross. (1 John 3:3; Luke 3:11; Matthew 16:24; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:22-23).
4. DESPISED BY THE WORLD – A new Christian will experience trouble from those who know him well, who don’t understand his new life, or from “dead” Christians who have backslidden in hearth and whose lukewarmness the new convert will show up. (John 15:18-21; Acts 5:40-41; Romans 8:18; 12:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:12; 3:12; Philippians 1:28-29; 1 Peter 2:20-21).
5. SEEKS OTHER CHRISTIANS – A hunger for fellowship and a real love for true children of God is a sure sign of the new birth. (John 13:35; Acts 2:42; Romans 15:5-6; Ephesians 3:17-19; Hebrews 10:25; Peter 1:22; 1 John 1:2, 7; 3:14; 7:7-13).
6. SERVES THE LORD – Looks for ways and means to please the Lord Jesus – begins to witness for Him, and wants to win souls.(Psalm 107:2; Philippians 1:21; Matthew 10:32; 25:29; John 14:12 Peter 3:15).
7. STICKS TO THE TASK – Keeps pushing forward for the Lord despite failure or setbacks – a determination to stay true to God.” (Philippians 3:13-14; 1 John 1:4; Romans 6:1-14; Peter 1:10; John 5:37, 39; Psalm 37:23-24).

INWARD:

1. ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE – This clears away doubt, makes Christians active for the Lord, decided in his faith and holy in his life. (John 6:37; 5:24; 16:27-33; Acts 13:39, Romans 15:13; 8:38-39; 1 John 1:12; 3:20; 4:18; 5:12-13).
2. ALL SUSTAINING PEACE – This peace upholds and undergirds the believer through all trials and tribulations. A freedom from fear no matter how dangerous, difficult or deadly a situation may be. (Philippians 4:7; Luke 12:32; John 14:1-2, 27; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 8; Isaiah 32:17; 41:10; Psalm 23:4).
3. AWAKENED CONSCIENCE – Greater awareness of thoughts, words or deeds which do not please the Lord. A respect for the power of sin; a fear of the Lord and a keeping of His commandments. (1 John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 12:2; John 14:15, 21; Proverbs 19:23; Jeremiah 32:40; 1 Timothy 1:5; James 1:12; Hebrews 13:8; Revelation 3:5 1 Peter 1:13-16; 2:9)
4. SEARCH FOR TRUTH – A genuine desire for reality and solid foundations on which to build the new life both in the Word of God and from other spiritual Christians.(John 3:20-21; 5:39; 8:12, 31; Matthew 7:21; Acts 17:11; Corinthians 2:9-16).
5. SPIRIT WITNESS – The Holy Spirit provides the indescribable consciousness of acceptance with God on the merit of the Lord Jesus. (Romans 8:14; 8:9; John 14:17; 1 John 4:13; 5:10).
6. SONSHIP AWARENESS – When God is truly Father; the child of God has a warm sense of parental affection and care from the Lord. (Galatians 4:6; Romans 8:28-29; 8:15-17; John 1:12; 16:26-27; 17:5-6; 21-26; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; Ephesians 2:18; 1 John 3:1-2).
7. SOCIAL CONCERN – An interest in the needs of others, with desire to promote righteousness, do good “studying and devising ways and means to convert, sanctify and reform mankind.” (1 John 3:16-24; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 9:6, 8; John 9:4-5; Proverbs 11:25).

RECOGNIZING REJECTION OF GOD

Those who have deliberately grieved away God’s Spirit by continual rebellion against the Truth are in terrible danger of being forever lost. There are, again, some evidences (NOT proof) that a man has been forsaken of God, and further attempts at witness may be futile:

1. RICH AND PROSPEROUS IN SIN (over a long period) – A person who profits greatly from the fruit of sin is in danger of sacrificing eternal rights and riches for material wealth. (Psalm 49; 73:3-19; Jeremiah 5:27-29; Luke 12:15-21).
2. RUNS FROM TRUTH – makes a HABIT of avoiding places and people connected with salvation – stays away from Church, the Bible and soul-winning Christians. If a fatal disease is spreading, the ones sure to die are those who ignore the remedy. (Ezekiel 33:11; john 5:39-40; 8:24; 9:41).
3. REBELS INSTEAD OF REPENTS under chastisement – in trouble allowed to make the soul cast itself on God, the reprobate instead becomes more and more bitter against Him. (Isaiah 1:5; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11; Revelation 3:19).
4. AGES IN SIN – Most people are saved under the age of 25. The older a person gets in rebellion against God, the less likely it is that they will repent. Those who set their hearts to make their mark in the world then “coldly calculate to give their lives to God later” are trying to take advantage of God’s forbearance. They try to give the jaded remnant of a Devil-serving life to God. It will not work. (Genesis 6:3; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Romans 2:4-10).
5. ABSENCE OF CHASTISEMENT – When a person has NO trouble he is IN trouble! Satan never seems much to bother with the person who has no interest in the things of God. He will keep him for “later.” (Hebrews 12:5-8; Proverbs 3:11; Psalm 94:12; Revelation 3:19).
6. ACCEPTS DAMNING HERESY – God sends “strong delusions” that they might believe a lie, because “they obey not the Truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousness.” The more certain their damnation is, the more certainly they believe it. (2 Peter 2:1-3; Romans 1:28-32).

http://thebereans.net/ref-savsigns.shtml

Judging Others

by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

This is a very familiar maxim, often cited by unbelievers and carnal Christians as a rebuke to Christians whom they regard as intolerant. These words of the Lord Jesus Christ do, indeed, warn us against a self-righteous attitude, condemning others who disagree with us on the basis of superficial criteria.

On the other hand, this caution by no means relieves us of the responsibility of evaluating the beliefs and practices of others in the light of Scripture. In the very same sermon, in fact, Jesus said just a few moments later: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine"; and, "beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing" (Matthew 7:6-15). Obedience to such commandments obviously requires one to make a judgment as to whether certain unbelievers should be regarded as "dogs" or "swine," to whom it would be counterproductive to try to speak of spiritual matters; or whether certain professing Christian leaders are actually false prophets who should be repudiated. Jesus also said: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24).

Since the Scriptures themselves are to be used in the final judgment (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12; etc.), it is obvious that we should use them right now to discern truth and error, right and wrong. "For the word of God . . . is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

There is another basis of judgment that the Lord Jesus has authorized us to use. "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. . . . Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:18-20). Thus, the test of Scripture plus fruit produced, can serve as the basis of a valid judgment. Until adequate data for making such a test are available, judge not!

http://www.icr.org/article/4212/210/

Also see IS IT RIGHT TO JUDGE?

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