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How tragic it would be if we
went through life thinking we were saved and then woke up on Judgment
Day to find out we were mistaken! But the Bible teaches that this will
be the case with many people. Christ said, "Many will say unto 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" (Matt.7:22-23).
However, we do not have to go
through life without the assurance of salvation. In 1
John 5:13 the
apostle says, "These things have I written unto you...that ye may know
that ye have eternal life." How then can we have this assurance? This
is the most important question we will ever face in life because our
eternal destiny is at stake! The Bible teaches that those who remain
unsaved will spend eternity in a place of perpetual torment (Matt.
25:46; Rev. 14:9-11). The reason for this is because their sin has not
been paid for, and God's perfect justice requires that payment be made
for sin (Rom. 6:23). Therefore, it is vital that we know the answer to
this question. This is why the Apostle Peter wrote, "Give diligence to
make your calling and election sure" (2 Pet. 1:10).
It is true that we must believe
in Christ in order to become saved (Acts 16:31), but how can we be sure
we have genuinely believed in Him? Certainly we cannot rely upon our
feelings since feelings can be misleading. Some might suggest we can be
sure by acknowledging the facts of the gospel or saying the sinner's
prayer. However, the Bible indicates it is not possible to believe
without being regenerated because by nature we are spiritually dead
(Eph. 2:1 cf. 1 Cor. 2:14). This is why Christ said, "Except a man be
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Therefore, we
cannot know we have truly believed until we know we are born again.
But what does it mean to be born
again? Is this some kind of emotional experience? No, the Bible teaches
that being born again means our life is changed. In 2 Corinthians 5:17
we read, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The Bible
also tells us what changes will take place in our life when we are born
again.
First, we will not habitually
commit sin.
"Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin."—1 John 3:9
"How shall we that are dead to
sin live any longer therein?"—Romans 6:2
"Religion, in the spring of it,
isnot an art, an acquired dexterity and skill, but a new nature. And
thereupon the consequence is the regenerate person
cannot sin.
That he cannot commit an act of sin, I suppose no judicious interpreter
understands. This would be contrary to 1 John. 1:9, where it is made
our duty to confess our sins, and supposed that our privilege thereupon
is to have our sins forgiven. He therefore cannot sin,
in the sense in which the apostle says, he cannot commit sin.
He cannot continue in the course and practice of sin. He cannot so sin
as to denominate him a sinner in opposition to a saint or servant of
God."—Matthew Henry
Second, we will seek to live a
holy life by obeying God's Word.
"Everyone that doeth
righteousness is born of Him."—1 John 2:29
"And hereby do we know that we
know Him, if we keep His commandments."—1 John 2:3
"Where the righteousness of
Christ is imputed to an individual, a principle of holiness is imparted
to him; the former can only be ascertained by the latter. It is
impossible to obtain a Scriptural knowledge that the merits of Christ’s
finished work are reckoned to my account, except by proving that the
efficacy of the Holy Spirit’s work is evident in my soul."—Arthur
W. Pink
Third, we will love others,
regardless of who they are or what they have done.
"Everyone that loveth is born of
God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is
love."—1 John 4:7-8
"We know that we have passed
from death unto life, because we love the brethren."—1 John
3:14
"All the fruits of the Spirit
which we are to lay weight upon as evidential of grace, are summed up
in charity, or Christian love; because this is the sum of all grace.
And the only way, therefore, in which any can know their good estate,
is by discerning the exercises of this divine charity in their hearts;
for without charity, let men have what gifts you please, they are
nothing."—Jonathan Edwards
Fourth, our affections will not
be upon the things of the world.
"If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him."—1 John 2:15
"For they that are after the
flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the
Spirit the things of the Spirit...But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."—Romans.
8:5, 9
"If our principal treasure be as
we profess, in things spiritual and heavenly, and woe unto us if it be
not so! on them will our affections, and consequently our desires and
thoughts, be principally fixed."—John Owen
These changes are not the cause
of our salvation for we are saved by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). But rather,
they are the evidence that we truly have been born again. If they have
not taken place in our life, then it is vital that we earnestly seek
God and implore Him to regenerate us. He promises we will find Him if
we seek Him with all our heart (Deut. 4:29), and the way to begin is by
reading His Word. The Bible says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17).
Further reading:
·
Assurance
by Arthur W. Pink
·
What Is a
Biblical Christian? by Albert N. Martin
·
Are You
Born Again? by J. C. Ryle
Home
The Love of God is
greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song
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Jesus(Isa)
said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest.
Jesus
said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
My
Testimony: I went to Korea thinking I was going to save the
world and got into big trouble. Read about it
here.
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Behold,
I stand at
the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I
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