And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

I John 2:3-4

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Ten Evidences That Someone Has Been Born Again

INTRODUCTION I've pondered Matthew 7:21-23 more than once and have pondered the terrors of those who will be rejected in that day. Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. In this verse, Jesus does not say that just a few misguided souls have a false hope of heaven. He says MANY. He is talking to people who think that they are Christians. Nowadays there are a lot of people who say that they are Christians who will not enter heaven. These are people who think that they are going to make it into glory based on their lip service. But when they stand before the King and Judge, they will be rejected. When Jesus says "Depart" you cannot appeal and try to get a second chance, you have got to go. I KNOW they will be terrified. Included here? All those who choose to "worship" God according to their own beliefs and not God's word. This includes cultists who follow a false gospel--a gospel that is different from the Authorized Version of 1611 of the Bible, e.g., Roman Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Christian Scientists, hypocrites, antinomians, and every "Protestant" denomination follower who puts their trust in their denomination's antibiblical doctrines (like antinomian-dispensationalist Baptists) and church attendance. The visible church is fallen away. The falling away is here. Each person has to read the word of God (the Authorized Version of 1611 of the Bible) for himself--and obey it (even to the level of leaving a false church in order to follow the truth). [aside: Many Christians are not well acquainted with the Old Testament, some may wish to examine an Overview of the Bible.] To be a Christian, you must REPENT of your sins and BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and OBEY his word (the Authorized Version of 1611 of the Bible). REPENT means basically saying, "I am leaving the old life behind for a new one." BELIEVE means believing that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose on the third day and accepting his sacrifice for you. It means saying on this wise, "I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and I am purposed to live under his commands." OBEY means doing what the Lord says in his word. James says the devils believe and tremble--saving belief is more than acknowledging that the doctrines of the Lord are true. You must obey his word. John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, *IF* ye continue in my word, *THEN* are ye my disciples indeed; Many people think getting saved means saying, "the sinner's prayer" and then living life the way you used to--that is a lie. They believe some mystical thing happens at reciting a few words. No! The prayer is a confession of belief on the Lord Jesus Christ and his word. Because we truly believe, we keep on reading and obeying God's word, and God is helping us to obey and walk uprightly. Having departed from iniquity, we become vessels unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work (see 2 Timothy 2:19-26). God gives his people spiritual gifts and we labour for him. Salvation is about believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is a "him". John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Having truly believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, we naturally do what he says. We believe all that he said in his word and we are grateful to him for so great a salvation. He is right about everything and he is the Master--as a result, we forsake the sin lifestyle and take on the new lifestyle by obeying God's word. Salvation is not about doing a series of good deeds that a man thinks is good, oh no--salvation is about "him", the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe in him and that is why we obey him. As we obey him, God helps us to obey and we are changed and even our desires change. The Lord has severed us from among other people that we should be holy unto him. Being saved is about forsaking the sin lifestyle and saying on this wise, "Yes, I believe exactly what God says in his word and I will submit to it. The word of the Lord is right and all his works are done in truth. Jesus Christ is the Saviour for me and the Bible is the book for me. I will submit to God's ways. This is who I am and this is my life." Again, we must repent and forsake our sins and obey God's word. As we keep reading the Bible and obeying what we read, the word will wash us and, by God's grace (his divine influence, invisible but real), incredible changes will occur--even down to our very desires, as if the process were automatic like a baby growing, by various stages, into an adult--but there is another aspect of this-- the fear of the Lord. The Bible says that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Even though we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, our flesh remains what it always was...flesh. Even as a Christian, it can try to rise up, but the fear of the Lord will cause us to depart from evil and not embrace it. We read God's word, obey it, love and cleave to the Lord, enjoy his presence and fellowship--and we also fear to offend him by disobeying his word. The Bible teaches us that people go to hell because of disobedience (e.g., Ephesians 5:3-6; Colossians 3:5-7)--and we will too if we choose that path, and that is a fact--Hebrews 10:26-31 is a fearful warning for those who would turn back to the world. Pay attention to your life. Go not back to the filth from whence you have been delivered. God is holy and his people are holy. Heaven is not the place for murders, whoremongers, liars, etc. People of that other kingdom go somewhere else--to the place prepared for the devil and his angels. Just as fear keeps us from getting too close to the edge of a cliff or from putting our hand in fire, the fear of the Lord will cause us to depart from sin (sin is a killer; the wages of it is death). Following God is a delight, but let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. We must take heed to our way lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. We must tidy up our lives continually just like we tidy up our homes or our own persons. Pay attention to what you are doing or allowing. Pay attention to your thought processes, too. Resist not evil, love thine enemy. All of the commands are right and for our safety, rebel against none of them. True disciples continue in God's word. They pray and do what they are supposed to do as husbands, wives, children, workers, etc. As they obey, those that delight in the law of the Lord grow and are a like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his fruit also shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper (reference Psalm 1). If we sin, we confess our sins and he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins (see I John 1:9). If you are a true believer, your life will demonstrate it and the Bible tells us that over and over again. For us Christians, I believe that in our zeal to stem the cults, we emphasize faith and do not put like proper emphasis on the evidences of saving faith which all tend to a life of holiness. God commands his people to be holy for he is holy (reference Leviticus 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15-16). We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, peculiar people that we should shew forth the praises of him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). [This indented section is an update to the subject article (2013) We Christians are on this earth in order to serve the Lord. After we get saved, we read God's word and start making changes. Years ago, when I would look back at those early days after I first got saved, I used to say that my walk with the Lord was by the checklist method. I would read the word of God, examine my life, and start trying to change--like somebody going through a checklist with the goal of doing what they find on it. As I kept on trying, the Lord came by with that invisible part, his grace, and helped me, and has continued to do so. (Those with issues may wish to see our Deliverance Series.) We put off the old man and his desperate, wicked deeds (like watching television) and we start putting on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. We start serving the Lord. Even when a Christian woman is washing the dishes and taking care of her children she is doing sanctified work--she is fulfilling the scriptures; women are to be keepers at home. When we consecrate ourselves and our things--house, apartment, furniture, grass, etc. daily living takes on a new dimension. Some years ago, someone asked me a question that I never forgot. They asked what I did in seeking personal consecration. I had never heard anyone speak on that wise and it caused me to examine something very important--what I was actively doing in setting aside my self for God. We can actively seek to be set apart and holy for God and dedicated to his purposes. In actuality, we are commanded to be holy-- 1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. We are to be sanctified and set apart for God's uses. When we start purging ourselves from the dishonourable things (including false doctrines), we can be used. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Personal consecration: the state of being personally set aside for God, for his worship and for his service; a person setting aside his body, his goods, and everything that he has for God Almighty--even if he is imperfect. We just keep on trying and doing what we can. God helps us along and helps us to do what we can do--even a preschooler can put his toys in the toy box, make his bed, and fold towels. They are little, but they can help. It may have been after that important question about personal consecration that I dedicated the couch, the bench, the furniture, every inch of yard, and essentially everything else to God for his service. All is his. When we are actively seeking God by obeying his word, it does not take a long time before holiness actually becomes a preference. There is indeed another way to live outside of tv and the world's system. It is a deeply satisfying life with God. There is a path that no fowl knoweth and on which the lion's whelps have not trodden and it is not found in the land of the living (see Job 28). Only God knows the way thereof. Job 28:23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. We find ourselves on it when we leave the world's system for God's word (the Authorized Version of 1611 of the Bible). By the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil. When we walk toward God's word, we are at the same time leaving evil. If someone wants to go to the grocery store, they have to leave their house. If we are turned to God and drawing nigh to him, we are leaving the devil and his evil works. A reward is awaiting all that do this (see Hebrews 11:6). James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. If a man purge himself from evil works and habits, he shall be meet for the master's use and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. There is work to be done and the labourers are few. It is time to lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (see Hebrews chapter 12). It is now our time to work and endure. Then, when we have accomplished our mission, then the Lord will call us home.] The following is another update to this article (2014): We Christians are come unto the root and offspring of David, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Given David Ezekiel 37:24; Isaiah 55:3-13 We start listening to him; we start being under his guiding hand; we start putting ourselves under his word--coming, repenting, believing, and rearranging our lives--getting in line with the Lord by obeying his word. We come to him on his written-out, unchangeable terms (Authorized (King James) Version of 1611 of the Bible), snuggling up into his kingdom as if on automatic pilot (in actuality, we are violently taking the kingdom of heaven by force (we could not have explained it like this at first, but that is what happened)--just basically barging right in and making ourselves at home under the word of God rejecting the old life and going to the new life step-by-step. And now we are now citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We keep ourselves under the precepts of the kingdom and when we get out of order, God corrects us that we should not be condemned with the world (despise not the chastening of the Lord. What father is he that correcteth not his son? If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. The flesh does not change, keep under it and go forward; leave the old man behind, go forward, live, thrive, succeed, prosper, be afflicted, mourn, and suffer with the people of God.). Our conversation is in heaven where God is and our lifestyle and beliefs are lined up with the word of God.); we leave old things behind and are found under his leadership, protection, guidance, and correction. We are returned unto the Bishop and Shepherd of our souls. A person can say, "I really want to go to law school." But if they skip school, don't do their homework, and go to sleep in class, do they really want to go? NO WAY! Anybody could see that because their actions betray their confession. It is no different in confessing Jesus. People say, "I believe Jesus is Lord," yet they use bad language, watch television (and will not hear of repenting and stopping that evil), love everything this wicked world has to offer, don't feel convicted of sin, and are uninterested in the things of God. Does this person believe to the saving of the soul? Of course not. Is this a matter of trying to be God and determine who will make it in? No! It is a question of life and death and telling people the truth! The stakes are high. Many, many professed Christians do whatever they feel like doing no matter what--fornicating, watching all manner of wickedness and blasphemy on television and naked movies, going to the movie theater to watch what they want to, reading Harry Potter and witchcraft and "horror books" and Sponge Bob, etc. while claiming to be saved. Unsaved people do what they feel like doing--the devil allows that. Saved people are under the Lord's commands. Where do you stand? We are either obedient or disobedient, serving God or serving him not, right or wrong, bringing forth good fruit or evil fruit. The antinomians are giving church people a false hope--if Jesus is not your Lord and Master, he is not your Saviour. Saving faith will manifest itself in good works. Just read James, Hebrews, I John, Romans, and the gospels. If no change occurs in a person's life, we have plenty of scriptures to let us know that true conversion never took place to begin with. Works do not save, but a saving faith will cause good works. Another analogy--apples do not make an apple tree an apple tree. Before any fruit appeared it was an apple tree. With time, sunshine, water and other factors, the precious fruit cometh forth. Same thing with a saved person. They have Jesus Christ within. With the word of God, the working of the Holy Ghost, the brethern, mortification of the deeds of the body*, and time, good works will come forth like fine treasure housed within an earthen vessel. *There are many compulsive disorders in the world today--things and habits that people feel that they cannot stop doing. Those who are saved may wish to see our "Deliverance Series." The precepts in it have surely helped me. Those that are not saved may wish to see, How to Get to Heaven or Hell is Real. The following includes some excerpts from the book, How Can I Except Some Man Should Guide Me? A Plan and Program for Bringing Children to Faith in Jesus Christ, Pastor Kerry James Allen, Copyright 1996 This gives some good, solid evidences seen in a person who has been born again. Jesus said, "By their fruits shall ye know them." Examine yourself against these criteria. Other articles on this website such as Who are You? and Be Ye Holy are devoted to this same topic. God does not leave us out in the dark on this subject. Christians form a royal priesthood--and that priesthood is endangered by deviations that Christians allow in their lives--including foolish talk and jesting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We are not saved by our works, but when we are saved, our life will certainly reflect that decision by our good works. ("Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" James 2:17.) Do you obey God's word? John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; To be in the kingdom of God, we must obey the word of God...nothing else even makes sense. DO YOU SHOW EVIDENCES OF SPIRITUAL LIFE? Following are ten evidences the true believer in Jesus Christ possesses, all from the epistle of First John. These are what Jonathan Edwards called "holy affections." I. SUBMISSIVE RESPECT "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8) Do you respect God? Is your opinion just as important or even more relevant than His? Are God's pronouncements authoritative in your life? Is Jesus Christ your Lord? II. SCRIPTURE OBEDIENCE "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (1 John 2:5) Do you read the Bible daily? Do you read the Scriptures seeking to obey what you find? Are you in rebellion against God's Word or in submission to it? Do you love the Bible? III. SOCIETAL REJECTION "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15) Do you love the world, your money, and your possessions? Do they mean more to you than Jesus Christ and His approval? Would you be willing to give up all for Christ? IV. STEADFAST FAITHFULNESS "They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19) Are you faithful in regular fellowship with God's people in a local church (if there is one in your area)? Are you able to be sparse in church attendance for weeks at a time without any real guilt about it? Do you long for fellowship with the saints? Are you faithful to God's word? Are you faithful and stedfast in that which he has committed to your trust (spiritual gifts, resources, reading his word, etc.)? Are you steadfast year in and year out? V. SECOND COMING ANTICIPATION "When he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3) Are you living in the daily awareness that Jesus Christ will return for His own? Are you eagerly looking forward to His coming for you? Does your daily life reflect the fact that He may come today? Are you ready to meet Him at any time? VI. SIN SENSITIVITY "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1 John 3:9) Does your sin bother you? Do you wish you sinned less than you do? Are you sinning less now than when you first made a profession of faith in Christ? Do you enjoy your sin, or does it affect your happiness? Do you realize God sees all sin? VII. SIBLING LOVE "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (1 John 3:14) Do you love other believers in Jesus Christ? Do you enjoy being in their company, or would you rather be with the people of the world? Are Christians your dearest friends? VIII. SUPPLICATIONS ANSWERED "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 John 3:22) Do you pray? Can you point to specific answers that could have come from no one but God? Do you find yourself conversing regularly with God as a trusted friend? IX. SHARP DISCERNMENT "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1) Do you find it easy to sort out the claims of various religions? Do you see all religions as the same? Do you understand the doctrine of Christ? Do you believe Jesus Christ is God? X. SPIRIT AWARENESS "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13) Do you have a conscious awareness that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you? Does He teach you things from the Scriptures on a regular basis? Does the Holy Spirit convict you when you sin, or can you sin with abandon?

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