Friday, October 10, 2008

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”.
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! “ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; all things are become new.” (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. “Every man that hath this hope in him, purifies himself, even as He is pure” (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. “Yes – that live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (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. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples – if you have love one toward another” (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. “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (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.” . . . This one thing I do – forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward for the things before, I press toward the mark…” (Philippians 3:13-14; 1 John 1:4; Romans 6:1-14; Peter 1:10; John 5:37, 39; Psalm 37:23-24).
[I want to be saved now! How? Answer the question.]


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. “All that the Father gives me shall come to me ; and the one that come to me will certainly never cast out” (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. “The peace of God which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ” (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. “We know that we are of God and the whole world lies in wickedness” (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. “For everyone that does evil hates the light …but he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God” (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. “For as many are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (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. “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying – ‘Dear Father’” (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.” “But whosoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:16-24; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; 9:6, 8; John 9:4-5; Proverbs 11:25).

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