Part 2, A Biblical Survey on the Evidence of Justification — Conveying Assurance of Salvation, and Judging a False Profession

Part 1

The Biblical Evidence of True Salvation, Conveying Assurance of Salvation

Perversion of the assurance of salvation is extemely common today, many times dovetailing with a perverted gospel and heretical Keswick/Higher Life theology (and other serious errors) that many of the same have embraced. Among the IFB, Rick Flanders of revivalism notability is an example, as is John Van Gelderen, and Baptist College of Ministry, who rejects 1 John as an epistle teaching the evidence of salvation in favour of a false view of “abiding” allegedly characteristic of only some believers, and rejects the critical Biblical truth of good works playing an instrumental part in the born again believers sanctification (Revival Focus article: “Fruits and Assurance”). The heresies of false assurance is also ramapant among reformed theological heretics and neo-evangelicals, including Mike Hovland who wrote an article and did a podcast on the subject wholly confined preposterously to the subjective. 'Believe in faith' and 'believe in facts,' and don't stop "focusing on the gospel" which means nothing in light of assurance of salvation. The unbiblical regurgitation and heresy concluded with "I would encourage you to look to Christ, go to Christ, believe in Christ." What does that even mean in light of assurance?!? What he is saying would be more in line with a call to salvation, but assurance is how you know you are saved, and he clearly doesn't understand it. Heretics and false teachers like Hovland do not understand this subject becuase they've never experienced the new birth, so their 'Open the bible and believe what it says' is not even kindergarten level theology; its preposterous and ridiculous at all levels. Hovland, like the aforementiond men, is a liar, and worse, a ravening false teacher exposed in the link above.

Assurance of salvation is not the same as eternal security of salvation, though they connect together and cannot exist one without the other. Eternal security is the born again believer’s unchanging standing in the sight of God received at salvation and is independent of a saints feelings, thoughts or actions. Eternal security is given according to the Lords grace and purposes at the new birth, and all those who are truly born again are beneficiaries of it, for it is inseparable from salvation itself. Eternal security is not for those who do not have a true Biblical testimony of salvation and subsequent fruit and evidence of salvation. Only those that are truly saved/regenerated are eternally secure. Assurance on the other hand refers to how we know we are saved. If you know you have eternal security, then you ought to have the confidence of assurance, for both are based upon evidences and fruits. Eternal security is an effect of the new birth, while assurance is the evidence that the new birth actually took place, revealing clear Biblical truths that the sinner has passed from death unto life, from Satan's domain of darkness to God's domain of light.

It is important that a believer have real assurance of eternal life, and 1 Jn. 5:9-13 indicates that this was John’s very purpose in writing his epistle. It is dangerous, however, to use this verse as a “proof text” apart from the whole context of “these things” that John had written to give such assurance, because the question must be faced as to what constitutes real belief “on the name of the Son of God.” Many professing Christians may well have a false assurance of salvation because of a superficial faith. 1 Jn 5:9-13 should not feed any false faith. It's not in the facts of Gods Word and promises that we have assurance of our salvation but in obedience to Gods Word, in the evidence of salvation.

The following is a cursory overview of the fruit and evidence that is found with the new birth, bringing assurance of salvation, which is objective, measurable, and testable. These are characteristics of saving faith that exists in every true born again believer. If your life and testimony and beliefs do not line up with what Scripture says, you are likely unsaved. Thats the bottom line. You cannot fool God; His Word exposes you or it approves you. The following points will be covered below, exposing false professors.

1. The Truly Saved have a True, Permanently Life-Changing and Genuine Biblical Testimony of Conversion, the New Birth, which Includes both True Repentance and Saving Faith, Aligning with Scripture.

2. The Truly Saved Persons Nature and Life has been Changed Immediately and Permanently. He or She has New Loves and Hates.

3. The Truly Saved Both Know and Do the Will of God by Patiently Continuing In, Keeping and Obeying God’s Commandments and Words.

4. The Truly Saved Know and Defend the Truth; They Understand and Grow in Spiritual Truth.

5. The Truly Saved are Fruitful and Righteous, Beginning at Salvation, Characteristically Walking in the Spirit.

6. The Truly Saved Live Characteristically and Faithfully in Righteousness and Holiness and Godliness, Not in Sin or After the Flesh.

7. The Truly Saved Love the Saints, their Brethren in Christ, and Continue on with Other True Believers that Likewise Demonstrate these Evidences in their Lives.

8. The Truly Saved Love Not the World and Thus are Separated from the World and they Worship God in Spirit and in Truth, not by False Worship.

9. The Truly Saved are Overcomers of Apostasy, the Devil, and the World.

10. The Truly Saved Hear, Believe, Love and Study the Word of God. They do Not Question or Cast Doubt upon God's Word; They Love it, All of it.

11. The Truly Saved are Waiting and Watching for Christ's Return and Coming Judgment; They Live in Expectancy of His Imminent Return and Reign as King in His Earthly Millennial Kingdom.

12. The Truly Saved Abide in Christ, Including in the Doctrine of Christ, for They can Never Stop Abiding in Christ, nor Does He stop Abiding in Them.

13. The Truly Saved Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, Not Themselves, thus Live for Him and Labour in His Word, not After the Flesh or Riches.

14. The Truly Saved have Spiritual Discernment and Contend for the Faith.

15. The Truly Saved Know They've Been Forgiven of All Their Sin, and Know They Have the Indwelling Witness of the Holy Spirit.

16. The Truly Saved are No Longer Ashamed of Christ.

17. The Truly Saved Respond Positively (Biblically) to Genuine Reproof, Rebuke and Admonishment.

18. The Truly Saved are Not Pursued by Evil, they are Not Accursed.

19. The Truly Saved are Chastened of God.

20. The Truly Saved are Hated by the World and Persecuted for being Christian; Suffering and Enduring Trials for Christ.

1. The Truly Saved Possess a True, Permanently Life-Changing and Genuine Biblical Testimony of Conversion, the New Birth, which Includes both True Repentance and Saving Faith, Aligning with Scripture.

Scripture that speaks to the truth that evidence and assurance of salvation is foundationally set with a genuine Biblical testimony of conversion, include: Is. 8:20; Matt. 13:3-23; 18:3; 21:28-32; Mk. 1:15-20; 8:34-38; Lk. 5:31-32; 9:57-62; 14:25–15:32; 18:9-30; 19:1-10; Ac. 3:19; 4:4; 20:21; Jn. 3:3-21.

Evidence and assurance of salvation must start of course with a true Biblical conversion: repentance from sin/self/stuff/people and saving faith in Jesus Christ (Mk. 1:14-15; Ac. 20:21; Ac. 3:19, 26; 4:4) in response to the hearing of God's Word (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23) and the conviction and drawing of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 16:7-11; 12:42; 6:44). Repentance is the foundation of salvation, and it involves all three faculties of man: the intellect, the volition and the emotion. True repentant faith is surrendered faith.

The truly saved genuinely repented and believed and were converted in one instant moment in time (2 Cor. 6:2; Matt. 21:28-32; Mk. 1:15; Ac 3:19; 20:21; 26:18-20; Lk. 5:31-32; 14:25–15:32). In every case in the Bible where sinners were truly converted, there was an instantaneous dramatic life-changing conversion experience as God's doctrine of salvation demands (Jn. 3:3; Matt. 18:3). Some Bible examples include the woman at the well (Jn 4), the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:1-32), Zacchaeus (Lk 19:1-10), the 3,000 on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:41-42), Paul (Ac 9:1-20; Phil 3:3-10), Cornelius (Ac 10-11), Lydia (Ac. 16:14-15), the Philippian jailor (Ac 16:25-34), the Ethiopian eunuch (Ac 8:26-39), the demonic of the Gadarenes (Lk 8:26-39), etc.

Born again believers believe God’s record of eternal life because they have life and the Witness of God dwelling in them. They do not deny the record God gave of His Son, nor do they make God a liar (1 Jn 5:9-13). True converts know they are of God (1 Jn. 2:3-6; 4:13; 19-20; Gal. 4:9) and live and abide in Him because they are born of God (1 Jn. 2:27; 3:1; 5:1-4, 18; Jn. 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 15:1-16) and have been forgiven of all their sins (1 Jn. 2:12; Rev. 1:5), and the Holy Spirit dwells in them (1 Jn. 2:27; 3:24; 4:13; Rom 8:9-17), bearing witness with their spirit that they are the children of God (Rom 8:16). One would have to be dead not to know the witness of the Spirit, which isn’t subjective. The Holy Spirit produces increasing godliness, holiness and righteousness (the work of God's grace: Ti 2:11-15), from the moment of the new birth; those absent or diminishing of these characteristics, do not have the witness of the Spirit. The lost are dead indeed; spiritually dead in their sins and under condemnation of death (Rom. 6:1-23; Jn. 3:18, 36). Doubting salvation is not of God. Those that doubt have never truly repented and been born again. They've never been made anew. Doubt is not of God. If you doubt, then you know you need to be born again. See here: The Counterfeit Salvation of Doubting, Uncertainty and Rededication, Frequently Accompanied with Asking Jesus Into The Heart.

True salvation is knowing the Lord personally, and the Lord personally knowing you, a two-sided relationship. Many church people, like the first three soils in the parable of the seed and sower (Matt 13:3-22), and like Samuel who knew about the Lord (1 Sam. 3:7, before he was saved), do not know the Lord in a personal way (cf. Jn. 17:3; Matt. 11:28-30; Gal. 4:6; 1 Jn. 5:20). They know how to give the right answers and to act right when it is necessary, but the reality of the kind of supernatural salvation that we see in Scripture is foreign to their daily lives. Salvation is not reformation or a new religion; it is superdramatic regeneration (Ti. 3:3-7). It is a complete change from sin and error to holiness and godliness. Before salvation we "knew not God" (Gal. 4:8), "But now," when we are born again, "after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God" (Gal. 4:9). It is to know the Lord personally, to walk and talk with Him as Lord and Saviour and Father and Friend. It is to cry, "Abba, Father" from a converted heart. Jesus warned those who profess Him as Lord but aren’t known by Him: “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:21-23) and “I know you not” (Matt. 25:12). "For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous [the justified]: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Ps. 1:6). Salvation rests not in the fact that we “have known God,” but “rather [that we] are known of God" (Gal. 4:9).

Salvation is not praying a sinner's prayer or asking Jesus into your heart and receiving a ‘spiritual birth certificate’ or a ‘baptism certificate.’ It is a new birth experience! If there is no true and permanent change, like the wayside, stony and thorny souls in the parable of the seed and sower, there is simply no salvation. Isaiah warned of this: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Is. 8:20). The “testimony" which is "according to [God’s] word” has “light” for it reflects “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17). After forgiving the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (Jn. 8:12).

The new birth is as dramatic as the birth of a baby:

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." (Jn. 3:3, 8)

The Lord Jesus Christ warned, "repent ye, and believe the gospel " (Mk 1:15) and "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk 13:3). There is no salvation apart from repentance, for repentance is the very foundation of salvation. Repentance is wrought through the fear of the Lord, the two inseparable, for the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge . . . wisdom . . . life" (Pr 1:7; 9:10; 19:23) for "what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul," (De 10:12), all present in the truly saved saint, all evidences of regeneration in the repentant sinner, all proofs of the supernatural and superdramatic new birth. Paul preached the gospel of salvation to those that feared God (Ac. 13:16, 26) as did Peter (Ac, 10:2, 22), for fear of the Lord starts prior to salvation and is the catalyst to repentance and true conversion. Scripture that speaks to fear of the Lord for salvation: Job 28:28; Ps. 25:12-14; 33:8; 36:1; 66:16; 85:9; 103:10-13, 17-18; 110:10; 145:19; Pr. 1:7, 20-29; 3:7; 9:10, 16-20; 14:16, 26-27; 19:23; 22:4; Mal. 3:16-4:3; Matt. 10:28; Lk. 1:50; 3:3-18; 12:4-5; Ac. 13:16, 26; Heb. 12:28; 1 Pet. 1:14-17; Rev. 11:18; 14:6-7; Rom. 3:18.

The fear of the Lord is the avenue into the new birth, for fear of the Lord leads to repentance. If you have not genuinely feared God and repented, you are not saved, and the following passage instructs of the pathway of the new birth: "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Is 55:6). The Bible does not say repeat after someone, or to simply "accept Jesus as your Saviour." It says, "call ye upon him while he is near." The Lord is near. He will save you and you will know it. And you will continue by His grace and strength.

Every true born again Christian knows they are of God (1 Jn. 2:3-6; 4:13; 19-20; Gal. 4:9) and live and abide in Him because they are born of God (1 Jn. 2:27; 3:1; 5:1-4, 18; Jn. 1:12-13; 3:3-7; 15:1-16) and have been forgiven of all their sins (1 Jn. 2:12; Rev. 1:5), and the Holy Spirit dwells in them (1 Jn. 2:27; 3:24; 4:13; Rom 8:9-17). They do not doubt what occurred in their life when they were truly converted to Christ, and the effects of the new birth are evident as the external effects of a wind (Jn 3:3-8) There is no uncertainly. No need of "rededication" to occur, because it's not necessary or Biblical to begin with. And they know that. The unfeigned faith of the saint is not something they must drum up to convince themselves it's real in their lives. No, its just real. Its just simply a fact of their life, and they know the truth and reject the lies (1 Jn 2:20-21) and continue walking in the truth of God's Word for the just live by faith, which is by obedience to Scripture (1 Jn 2:3-5; Jn 14:23-24).

When a repentant sinner is genuinely converted to Christ, what follows his or her life is described below. Not sometimes, but always. Not some of it, but all of it. Though saints will grow at different rates for differing reasons, though all saints will have some struggle with their flesh and things of this world (Rom 7), there are no exceptions to the characteristics and external, objective nature of a truly regenerate child of God, and the habitual faith life of the just.

2. The Truly Saved Persons Nature and Life has been Changed Immediately and Permanently. He or She has New Loves and Hates.

Scripture that speaks to the dramatic change of the born again believers nature and life include: Ps 19:7-20; 2 Cor. 5:17; Ac. 20:18; 26:18; 1 Th. 1:9-10; Ti. 2:11-14; 3:3-8.

Ps. 19:7-10,

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

2 Cor 5:17,

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

They are new. New as is in brand new, and not merely conformed to something new (reformed). They have been regenerated. The simple has been made wise through conversion of the soul. The born again believer has a new nature, not another nature (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:1-10); a holy nature. New is kainos, that is, new as in different. We don't have the old with something new added, but something that is entirely different. New wine added to new bottles, new cloth to new garments (Lk 5:31-39). The old is gone, which is what Eph. 2:1-10 and 2 Cor. 5:17 plainly declare, "old things have passed away, all things are become new." What is old has passed away (2 Cor. 5:17) and been crucified (Gal. 2:20; 5:24; Rom. 6:6), "Knowing this, that our old man is [aorist—past tense, like Gal. 5:24, "have"] crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Rom. 6:6). Obviously the saint still has his flesh, the old man, but that is not his nature any longer. We are not born of the flesh any longer, but of the Spirit (Jn. 1:12-13; 3:6-7; Gal. 4:23, 29-31); it's one or the other, not both. We are not seen in the "natural man" (fleshly, carnal) ever again but the "spiritual man" forever (1 Cor. 2:9-16). It's one or the other and it's impossible to be both, as Scripture makes plain, especially 1 Cor. 2:9-16, Eph. 2:1-10 and Jn 3:3-7. Before salvation the sinner was "dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others . . . [and] dead in sins" (Eph. 2:1-3, 5) but that is the old natural man and the only nature of the unregenerate, but at salvation this carnal nature becomes dead, crucified on the cross (Rom 6:4-9), and from the moment of salvation we become “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17), for “you hath he quickened [made alive, forever], who were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Eph 2:1). This sort of teaching is found everywhere in the NT, especially Eph 2, Rom 6, 7, and 8.

The true believer is holy. The terms “holy,” “sanctify,” “consecrate,” and “saint” are translated from the same Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible. The basic meaning of these is to be set apart for God’s purposes (Lev. 20:26). A holy person is a person who has become God’s possession.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Cor 6:19-20)

Holiness is intimately connected with righteousness and moral purity (Jer. 31:23; Lk. 1:75; Rom. 6:19; Eph. 4:24). Holiness is contrasted with uncleanness (Is. 35:8; 1 Th. 4:7) and is connected with cleansing from sin (2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Th. 4:3). When a sinner is saved, he becomes holy before God. Immediately. And he grows in holiness, "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Pet 1:17). When someone claims to be a Christian but has not been so changed as to live a holy life, their faith is vain and feigned.

There is a complete change of nature in the new birth. Before conversion they served self but now they serve God. Every true born again believer becomes a servant of Christ, that is a slave (a happy and willing slave), at salvation.

This results in new loves and hates:

• New loves: Love for God, Love for God’s Word and Will, Love for Saved Brethren, Love for Righteousness, Love for Holiness, Love for Godliness.

• New hates: Hatred of Satan, Hatred of the World, Hatred of Unrighteousness, Hatred of Sin, Hatred of Error, Hatred of Ungodliness.

That new life and nature results in an instantaneous love for God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15; Pr. 22:18-22), a love for God (De 30:6; Rom 5:5) that produces a desire to please Him and obey Him (Jn. 14:21-24; Lk. 8:38-39; 1 Jn. 2:5; 5:2-3; Heb. 11:5b; Gal. 1:10), a love for God's people (1 Jn. 2; 5:2; 2 Jn. 1:1-2), a love for God's truth (Jn. 17:7; 1 Cor. 13:6; 1 Jn. 2:20; 3 Jn. 1:4), a love for righteousness and hatred for wickedness just like their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Ps. 45:7; Heb. 1:9). These things will ALWAYS be present because it is God that causes this to happen and to love Him (De. 30:6; Rom. 5:5) and leads and teaches us to love other born again believers, our brethren (1 Th. 4:9), and to love our enemies (Matt. 5), because they are led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14-16).

"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." (De 30:6)

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom 5:5)

"But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1 Th 4:9)

3. The Truly Saved Both Know and Do the Will of God by Patiently Continuing In, Keeping and Obeying God’s Commandments and Words.

Scripture that speaks to both knowing and doing the will of God through obedience to the Word of God, include: Num. 15:39-41; De. 12:32; 13:3-4; 26:16-19; 1 Sam. 15:22-23; 1 Ki. 8:23, 57-58, 61; Ps. 103:17-22; Eccl 12:13; Matt. 7:20-21, 24-27; 12:47-50; Mk. 3:31-35; 4:21; Lk. 17:10; Jn. 7:16-18; 8:31-32, 51; 10:25-27; 14:15, 21-24; 15:10-14; 17:6; 2 Cor. 2:9; Eph. 2:10; Heb. 10:36; Jam. 1:22-25; 2:14-26; Jam. 5:7-11; I Jn. 2:3-6, 15-17; 3:22-24; 5:1-3; 2 Jn. 1:5-6; Rev. 22:14-15.

Obedience to Gods Word is an absolute and major mark of genuine conversion (Jn. 14-16; 1 Jn. 2:3-6; Rev 22:14) and it reflects the love they have for their new Master and Lord. The ten commandments, which are standards, are reduced in the OT and NT to two standards, love God and love your neighbour. You aren't loving God when you disobey and dishonour Him (Jn 14:23-24), and you aren't loving your neighbour when you are disobeying and dishonouring God (1 Jn 5:2-3). Only those that love God obey God, and all who are saved love God, love that is in fact given by God to His children (De. 30:6; Rom. 5:5; Lk. 10:25-28). It is God Himself that produces the love in the saints heart for Him.

"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live." (De 30:6)

One sees obedience all over Scripture, but never is it more apparent than in the upper room in Jn 14, such as vv. 15, 21, 23-24 where Jesus said:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. . . . He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. . . . "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

The type of teaching above isn't incidental or some kind of side teaching. It's all over the gospels and in the epistles. John repeats this type of teaching in his epistles again and again. A test of faith is whether someone will do everything that the Word of God teaches and it will not be burdensome to the one who is born of God (1 Jn 5:1-3). He will love it.

Scripture is consistent about what justification will produce. It will produce good works. He works in us to will and do of His good pleasure. And this is the effect of 1 Jn 2:3-5.

"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. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”

These are present tense verbs, so that someone who does know God will keep His commandments as a lifestyle, will live for Him. A whole lot of professing Christians don't characteristically live for Him. To "keep" literally means to “guard against loss.” The saved keep God's Word, they do not neglect obedience. Someone may say he knows God, but when he doesn't characteristically keep the commandments, he is a liar. He is a liar about knowing God and loving God. He shouldn't be considered to know God or to love Him.

And 1 Jn. 5:1-3,

"Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."

People that don’t do God’s will are unsaved. Amongst all these examples above, consider one. Jesus said: “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.” (Matt 7:21). In other words, people that don’t do the will of the Father will not enter His kingdom. Surrendering to God’s will happens at salvation, NOT after salvation. People that are saved obey God’s will. They are yielded to His will because they obey His Word.

“Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.” (Ps. 119:4)

True converts hear God’s Word (1 Jn. 4:5-6; Jn. 8:43, 45-47; 10:1-5) and keep it; they keep all of God’s commandments (1 Jn. 2:3-5; 3:22-24), because they love Him (1 Jn. 4:19; 5:1-3; 2 Jn. 1:6; Jn. 14:15-24; 15:9-14). They don’t pick and choose what they will obey, nor divide God’s Word into "essentials and non-essentials." They recognize every word in Scripture is important (Matt. 4:4). Therefore they walk and live like God the Son did (1 Jn. 2:5-6), in truth and according to God’s will (2 Jn. 1:4-6; 3 Jn. 1:3-4; Jn 7:16-18), because the servant is as his Master (Matt. 10:25). The essential and non-essential teaching cheapens the grace of God. Actually, it isn't even the grace of God, because the grace of God teaches someone to live righteously. Righteousness isn't reducing the teachings of scripture to essentials and keeping those. When someone in the flesh cannot keep everything God says, he ranks the commands based upon his ability to keep them. He can't keep them all, so he must reduce them to what he says is important. Jesus isn't Lord in that system, and that is the system of essentials and non-essentials. I understand that those advocate for the triage and the fundamentals and the essentials and the first order teachings will argue against what I am saying they are doing. It sounds horrible. It is what they are doing though. This is not the gospel. It is a false gospel that attempts to hold together coalitions and crowds by diminishing the gospel to something ordered by men and not God.

This false teaching also ties into the gospel, corrupting the true gospel. The non-essential doctrine that plays like it's centering on the gospel actually contradicts the gospel. It shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel to include people in a false gospel that doesn't save. Jesus said in Jn 8:31-32, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Here is a pivotal gospel statement in the entire teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the means by which Jesus says that true belief is distinguished from false belief. Who are Jesus' true disciples? Who actually believes in Him? They are those who continue in His Word, they are His disciples indeed. That is the evidence. They have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life and become His followers, and are now free by means of the truth instead of being in bondage. Jesus is their Lord, they are His servants. They deny themselves to follow Him. How is it someone follows Jesus? He does that by continuing in Jesus' Word. He obeys His commandments (Jn 14:15-24; 1 Jn 2:3-5). Jesus always did those things that pleased the Father (Jn 8:29), so anyone who was following Jesus would be doing always those things that pleased the Father.

Every true believer continues in the things of God (Jn. 8:31-32; Col. 1:2-6, 9-11). Continuing in obedience and trusting Christ precisely according to His Word, and in devotion to Him and His service is a mark of a true believer. "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Pr. 4:18). He always continues maturing spiritually. Jn. 8:31-32 teaches that only those who having received a new nature by grace, continue to follow the Lord are truly converted. It doesn't make a distinction between some sort of “spiritual” Christian versus a perpetually “carnal Christian;” rather it distinguishes between the saved and the lost. Those who do not “continue in [God’s] word”, are not “disciples indeed” and thus do not “know the truth” and have never been “free[d]” (Jn. 8:31-32). All true believers know the truth, and no unbeliever knows the full truth (Jn. 1:17; 14:6, 17; 17:17, 19); and this knowledge leads to a changed life as its certain result: “Every one that is of the truth heareth [Christ’] voice,” (Jn. 18:37) and consequently becomes a true worshipper of God (Jn. 4:23-24), and follows Christ (Jn. 10:27), and “doeth truth . . . that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (Jn. 3:21). Furthermore, in the immediate context of Jn. 8:31-32 (namely v. 36), and everywhere else in the NT, being made “free” is an event that takes place at the moment of regeneration (Jn. 8:32, 36; Rom. 6:18, 22; 8:2, 21; Gal. 5:1). While there can certainly be false or unsaved disciples (Jn. 8:31; 6:66) just like there can be false believers (Jn. 2:23-25; cf. 3:1-21)—both mentioned above—every true believer is a true disciple, and every true disciple is a true believer.

Keeping God's commandments is not grievous to the saved (1 Jn 5:3). Neither do they pick and choose what they will obey or what they'll put aside, nor will they place their opinions above Scriptural authority, or divide God’s Word into essentials and non-essentials, a more subtle form of disobedience and rebellion. They recognize every word in Scripture as important (Matt. 4:4). Therefore they walk and live like God the Son did (1 Jn. 2:5-6), in truth and according to God’s will (2 Jn. 1:4-6; 3 Jn. 1:3-4; Jn 7:16-18), loving the truth while hating the false (Ps. 119:128), loving righteousness while hating iniquity (Heb. 1:8) — because the servant is as his Master (Matt. 10:25), and because “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10).

A test of faith is whether someone will do everything that the Word of God teaches and it will not be burdensome to the one who is born of God. He will love obeying the Lord (cf. 1 Jn 5:1-3).

“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” (2 Jn 1:6)

It is the privilege and duty of every born again believer, to obey God, for we are saved for that purpose (Eph 2:8-10). Jesus stated this:

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Lk. 17:10)

Just because someone professes faith doesn’t mean they are saved. Disobedience is a mark of being unsaved.

"He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.” (Jn 14:24)

“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.” (Ti 1:16)

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim 3:5)

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded." (Pr 13:13)

At conversion, the born again believer's will and desires and dreams change. Where he once sought after self and things of self-interest, his attention is now on the things of God and the glory of God.

1 Pet 1:25,

"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Ps. 119:4,

“Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.”

In Rev. 22:14 Jesus gave the inclusion criteria into eternal life:

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

The blessed ones are those who walk in God's will (see also Ps 1:1-6; 1 Jn 2:3-5), fulfilling the commandments of the Lord. It's a present, active participle. It's a continual, ever-present dedication, devotion and submission to Christ and His commandments. He is Lord, and the believer acknowledges this and lives in light of it. It means a changed life. This is the fruit of real salvation, not a prayer prayed twenty years ago or a fake meagre profession from days gone by. Salvation proves itself by actions. This is what Jesus said in Rev. 22:14 and its supported by many other passages, including Jam. 2:14-26, where true faith is contrasted with false dead faith.

Jesus said “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” (Jn. 8:51). As Rev. 22:14, this is how intimately associated obedience to Gods Word is to salvation. It is salvation that delivers from death (Jn. 11:25-26; Rom. 6:23) but yet here Jesus says keeping, obeying, His Word delivers from death. Salvation is obedience, it is obeying the gospel of Christ (2 Th 1:8; 1 Pet 4:17) which without you cannot be saved. The truly saved person WILL live a life of obedience to Gods Word, guaranteed, for it is God that works in them always do His will and good pleasure (Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13), and it is so guaranteed that it is connected to Salvation itself.

Those that truly love God, obey His Word. They “love His name” (Ps. 69:36) and “love [His] salvation” (Ps. 70:4). It is these that are loved by God (Pr. 8:17-21). Those that say they love God but don’t obey Him, don’t actually love Him (Jn. 14:15-24).

“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” (1 Cor. 16:22)

To be "Anathema Maranatha" means to be accursed at Christ’s coming. True born again believers love the Lord Jesus and they manifest that love by obeying His words, commands, judgments, decrees.

While doing good works is not part of repentance but a result of it, all who truly repent and believe in Christ will immediately manifest their change of heart in a changed life and fruitful life for God (e.g. 2 Cor. 5:17; Jam. 2:14-26; Col. 1:4-6; Mk. 4:2-19; Lk. 8:15-16; Matt. 3:8; 7:15-20; 21:41-44; 2 Cor. 9:10; Jam. 1:18; 3:17). Every truly converted person has the truth dwelling in them forever (2 Jn. 1:1-2), but “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 Jn. 2:4). Those that claim to know God but don’t obey His commandments are children of Satan (cf. 1 Jn. 2:4 and Jn. 8:44, he “is a liar, and the truth is not in him” — same language used of Satan). They are antichrists, for to willfully disobey God’s Word is in fact denying Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 2:22-23).

One’s work bears witness to one’s position whether in Christ or out of Christ. Someone doesn’t become a believer by what he does; his actions prove whether he is a true believer or not to begin with. The works of Christ confirmed His testimony, “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.” (Jn. 10:25). It is no different for the true born again believer. They bear witness of one’s justification (Jam. 2:14-29). Jesus reflects this when He followed the above with the definitive evidence of salvation: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (Jn. 10:27). Obedience to God’s Word is what it means to follow Jesus Christ, and this is a massive evidence of conversion.

The true servant of Christ both knows God's Word and follows Him (Jn. 8:44, 47; 10:1-5, 27-30), and true obedience in all things comes from a heart that loves God (Jn. 14:15-24; 1 Jn. 2:3-5) which love is taught by God Himself (De. 30:6; Rom. 5:5) and from a life that is built upon the Rock (Jesus Christ, his Lord), not on sand (false professions) (Matt. 7:24-27). It is God that causes the true believer to walk in His ways and statutes and judgments:

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezk. 36:27).

Therefore, every true born again believer “heareth these sayings of [God the Son], and doeth them,” (Matt. 7:24) because he is “not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,“ (Jam. 1:25), for his faith is true and alive from the dead and full of good works and fruit, not dead without good works (Jam. 2:14-26), for all those that are just, live by faith (Rom. 1:16–17; Heb. 10:38; Gal. 3.11; Hab. 2:6), and living by faith is living by obedience to the Word of God. Only those that love God obey God, and all who are saved love God (De. 30:6; Rom. 5:5; Lk. 10:25-28). To the saved it is not grievous to obey God’s commandments (1 Jn. 5:3). “The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” (Pr. 10:29). Paul said he sought proof of “obedien[ce] in all things” of the Corinthians, one of the purposes for his second epistle to them (2 Cor. 2:9). All true born again Christians will have a similar testimony as Zacharias and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, “they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Lk. 1:6). Both their position and practice before God dovetails into one.

Not only are we commanded to obey, it is our duty as servants of Christ:

“Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Lk 17:9-10)

Lk 17:7-10 was Christ’s response to the apostles request to “Increase our faith.” (v. 5). True faith always obeys and is increased in this manner (v. 6), and does understand it is man's duty to obey Gods commandments (v. 10) without praise (vv. 7-9), “Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.” (v. 9). We are commanded to obey out of gratitude and love and for that we do not deserve thanks. People that don’t obey are not saved. The saved gladly receive commandments: “The wise in heart will receive commandments:” (Pr. 10:8a), while the false pretender grumbles and whines against God’s standards.

Matter of fact, it is the conclusion of the whole matter for man. The book of Ecclesiastes, the consequential book of the wisest human that ever lived after going through a lengthy period of disobedience to God's Word (he was a saved man indeed, but OT saints did not have the indwelling Spirit of God, so no, you cannot use him as an example of permissive disobedience in the Christian life), concludes with this summary:

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (Eccl. 12:13-14)

In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus Christ warned,

“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” (Matt. 7:21)

This wasn't all. He ended the Sermon with this account in Matt. 7:24-27, a comparison between a true believer and a false "believer":

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

Only those who do the will of God are saved people (Matt. 7:21, 24-27; 12:47-50), for “the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” Jesus said (Matt. 12:50b).

The life of God produces a lifestyle of obedience. Jesus said in Jn. 8:31,

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."

John repeated the same in his epistles, a lifestyle of righteousness results from the life and light of God in someone — it's how you know that you are saved. Imputed righteousness through justification produces works, practical righteousness. God will judge, and destroy those who didn't obey Him (2 Pet 1). Ti. 2:11-12 says, "The grace of God that hath appeared to all men teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust." Rom 6, through the grace of God, we are dead unto sin. Freed from sin. Sin doesn't have dominion over the saint any more.

As sure and secure as salvation is, so is the evidence and fruit thereof, for salvation brings life to the dead, a quickening of life from the dead for ever (Pr. 14:27; Jn. 5:39-40; Lk 20:36; Rom. 5:17-18; 8:6; Eph. 2:1, 5; 1 Jn 4:9), “For [God] is not a God of the dead, but of the living: FOR ALL LIVE UNTO HIM.” (Lk 20:38). The saint lives because of Him, through Him, for Him, and unto Him. They all live unto Him.

All those that are saved will receive Gods Word (Jn. 8:43, 47), which means to understand it and humbly receive its instructions and obey it.

"The wise in heart [which are all those that are saved] will receive commandments" (Pr 10:8)

"Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded." (Pr. 13:13)

False professors, those who feign to be Christian, won't genuinely receive Gods Word because they don't fear God. Gods true people on the other hand fear His commandments because they fear Him.

Failure to tenaciously hold to faith and a good conscience leads to doctrinal and practical shipwreck concerning the faith. The fakes and counterfeits do not obey Scripture, in various ways. Disobedience is noted in the areas of strict obedience to the whole counsel of God, separation, music, Bible versions, false doctrine, clothing, embracing false “believers” as believers, ecumenicalism, worldliness, attending heretical churches, putting sports and entertainment before God, baptism, etc. They have a “form of godliness” but their disobedient, powerless and worldly life “den[ies] the power thereof“ (2 Tim 3:5). They are rejectors of God and Scripture, embracing a religion of self-righteousness. When truth is preached, and reproof given for their ungodliness, unholiness or false doctrine, showing proof of unregeneracy, they reject the reproof because they “resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” (2 Tim 3:8). Though salvation is “without works” in that it is God’s free gift through Christ, and works and grace don’t mix (Rom 11:6), it is “unto good works” (Eph. 2:8-10). The good works are the effects and fruits of the new nature. The good works are the evidence. Those that say they know God but don’t keep His commandments are liars. They are reprobate of mind concerning the faith (Ti. 1:9-16; 2 Cor. 13:5). It’s important to clarify that we are not kept secure in Christ by keeping His commandments but rather those that are secure in Christ do keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15-24). The difference is massive. We don’t put the cart before the horse, for that is a false gospel. The keeping of His commandments comes out of all those born of God. This of course includes not only obeying Gods Word but also includes not wanting to twist or change Gods Word or doubting Gods Word or questioning whether we actually have all the words of God so we’ll try to find the words of God (as the Reformers and Evangelicals and others do who embrace Textual Criticism and modern Bible perversions) which is primarily the mindset of the unsaved because those that are truly born again believe Gods Word to be Gods inspired and preserved and inerrant Word indeed (a necessary condition for genuine salvation) and its perseveration down to every word (Heb. 11:1-6), something the indwelling Spirit helps with. And they love God’s Word!

Those who are truly born again are “obedient to the faith” (Ac 6:7) while an unconverted man who “turn[s] away . . . from the faith” rejects Christianity and refuses to repent and come to conversion (Ac 13:8). Those who have Christ in them—which necessarily produces inward and outward holiness—are those who are “in the faith” (2 Cor 13:5), and they faithfully manifest sound doctrinal propositions, practical soundness including a holy lifestyle, edifying speech (1 Tim 1:4), care for one’s needy family members (1 Tim 5:8), righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, patience, and meekness (1 Tim 6:11), denial of a love for money (1 Tim 6:10) and profane babblings (1 Tim 6:20-21), walking humbly with God, fighting the “good fight of faith” (1 Tim 6:12), earnestly contending for the unfeigned faith (Ju 1:3), denying the world and not conformed to it (Rom 12:1), embracing and fulfilling “truth” and “godliness” (Ti 1:1), and everything else that entails obedience to Scripture and the whole counsel of God (Ac 20), which commands number in the thousands in the NT alone, and it is true of everyone that is reconciled to God to “continue in the faith grounded and settled,” and not “moved away from the hope of the gospel” (Col 1:23), while spiritual leaders and teachers are to train others to faithful steadfastness in all the truths of the Word.  All true born again believers commit themselves to “the faith” at the moment of their conversion and grow in their knowledge of, practice of, and ability to practice, defend, and propogate the faith in its propositional and practical entirety in their progressive sanctification.

Though this point is longer than most here, this is yet merely a small sample of this sort of teaching. It is also the point of the most profound importance. In fact, a number of the other proofs or markers of true conversion listed here could easily fit under this point, obeying God's Word.

4. The Truly Saved Know the Truth and Defend the Truth; They Understand and Grow in Spiritual Truth.

Scripture that speaks to the truth that all truly regenerate believers know the truth and grow in truth and speak the truth: Ps. 51:6; 92:5-6; Pr. 1:5; 3:5, 13, 32; 8:5-9; 9:9-10; 10:13, 23b; 14:33; 16:22a; 17:24; 18:2; 22:21-22; 23:23; Matt. 11:27; Lk. 1:3; 1 Cor. 2:7-16; Jn. 8:44, 47; 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13; 17:6-8, 17, 19; 18:37; 1 Jn. 2:20-21, 27; 5:9-13, 20.

Four times in Scripture the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 4:6). One of the Scriptural evidences of the new birth is an understanding of and a love for the truth. John taught that the indwelling Spirit is the believer’s teacher (1 Jn. 2:20-21,27), and that means the born again believer knows the truth, and in fact "knows all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth." (1 Jn 2:20-21). Jesus said that His true sheep hear His voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:27). He said those who are of God hear God’s words (Jn. 8:47). There is ONLY one way and one truth. One very narrow way and door (Matt 7:13-14; Lk 13:23-24). Truth doesn’t carry multiple meanings. You need the Holy Spirit of God to discern the truth (Pr 8:8-9; 22:20-21; Jn 8:31-32; 14:26; 1 Jn 2:20-21, 27). The born again believer receives the Holy Spirit when he is converted by and to Christ (Eph. 1:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). If a person does not have the Holy Spirit he is not saved (Rom. 8:9, 16), and if a person has the Holy Spirit he will know the truth (Pr. 1:5-7) and love the truth (Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:128) and be led unto the truth (Rom. 8:14). All true born again believers “believe and know the truth.” (1 Tim. 4:3b). Their once blinded eyes were miraculously opened at the very moment of conversion (Ac. 26:18; Lk. 10:23-24).

Salvation results in many things occurring instantaneously and forever. Some of these things include understanding righteousness, judgment, equity and every good path: "Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:" (Pr. 2:9-11). This passage is revealing the fruit of salvation, while salvation itself is described in vv. 1-5. Every true believer has knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Ps. 51:6, “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

Every truly converted person has the truth dwelling in them forever (2 Jn. 1:1-2), but “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 Jn. 2:4). Having the truth will be reflected in obedience to God's Word and glorifying God.

1 Jn 2:20-21, 27 is a powerful attestation of all true believers knowing the truth and rejecting lies:

“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

All saved people know the truth and reject lies. Why? The indwelling Spirit of God, the Spirit of truth, is the believers Teacher, and teaches the saint all things. Gods “truth” is the born again believers “shield and buckler.” (Ps. 91:4). False professors will embrace error. They won’t separate from it. They will be confused over deep things of God and falsely divide the word of truth (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15). They will privately interpret the Scriptures (2 Pet. 1:20) and wrest God’s Word due to a lack of understanding (2 Pet. 3:16-17) all of which occurs because of an absence of the indwelling Spirit of God. Rather than following the truth, they follow the ways of their leader, "pastor," or others (cf. Rom 16:18; 2 Pet 2:2-3).

Salient points on the nature of the true born again believer (Jn 8:31-36, 40, 47) include possessing the truth, understanding and discerning the truth, defending the truth, and solid Biblical Christian living. The man-centred professor does not understand the truth, won’t genuinely and characteristically defend the truth, or hold up the truth, because he does not actually possess the truth.

Ps. 51:6 is true of every true born again believer:

“Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

Every true born again believer is called a wise man by God, and

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr. 1:5-7)

Before wisdom, understanding of the truth must take place, even prior to salvation, and must occur in order for someone to be genuinely saved. Noted throughout Scripture including in Ac. 28:27-28,

“For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, & understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”

In the parable of the sowing of the seed on the soil of the soul (Matt. 13:3-23; Mk. 4:2-20; Lk. 8:14-15), of the four soils presented that receive the Word of God, only one is saved, for only one both "heareth the word and understandeth it" (Matt 13:8, 23). Although the other three "hear the word," it does not lead to true conversion, for none of the three "understandeth it." Jesus said to some that were professing to believe in Him,

"Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. . . . He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God." (Jn. 8:43, 47)

This is one of the reasons why Christ spoke in parables. Those of the truth, or desiring to know the truth, would know and understand, while those who secretly (or openly) rejected the truth, would not, and that little knowledge that they have, would be taken from them (Matt 13:11-12, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.") Knowledge, understanding and wisdom, in that order, come from God and are given only to those that He saves (Pr. 2:6), for in Jesus Christ is hidden all treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge (Col. 2:3; Pr. 8:1-8) and at salvation we receive Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:12) thus we receive wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30). Every person that is saved has understanding, thus wisdom. “Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding” (Pr. 14:33a), “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found:” (Pr 10:13a), “a man of understanding hath wisdom” (Pr 10:23b), for “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding” (Pr. 17:24a), and “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom:” (Pr 10:31a). Because true converts know and understand the truth which dwells in them forever (2 Jn 1:2) and because they have a new nature, one that is godly and righteous and holy, they speak the truth, not lies or false witness. “He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” (Pr. 12:17). True converts preach the truth while false converts mix truth with error and deceive the hearts of the simple (whom are counterfeit "believers").

Without true salvation and thus the indwelling Holy Spirit, man cannot and will not be able to interpret the Scriptures rightfully, harmoniously, contextually, without contradiction and without confusion. It's essentially impossible (1 Cor. 2:9-16) for they are without proper spiritual understanding. Understanding also gives way to many other matters such as right worship, Biblical obedience, godliness, holiness and righteousness. The hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness is completely and perfectly filled at salvation, when knowledge of wisdom is found.

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35)

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matt. 5:6)

In God’s Word, we read of the internal instigation of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit Who moved upon holy men to write every Word will guide believers in every Word (Jn 16:13; Matt 4:4). The Lord's sheep hear His voice and they know and follow Him (Jn 10:1-5, 27). They receive His Words (Jn 17:8; Ac 2:41; 1 Th 2:13) and know the truth (1 Jn 2:20-21, 27), for it is the truth that made them free (Jn 8:31-36).

The saved person receives the Holy Spirit when he is converted by and to Christ (Eph. 1:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:19-20). If a person does not have the Holy Spirit he is not saved (Rom. 8:9, 16), and if a person has the Holy Spirit he will know the truth (Pr. 1:5-7) and love the truth (Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:128) and be led unto the truth (Rom. 8:14). Four times in Scripture the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 4:6). One of the Scriptural evidences of the new birth is an understanding of and a love for the truth. John taught that the indwelling Spirit is the believer’s teacher (1 Jn. 2:27). Jesus said that His true sheep hear His voice and follow Him (Jn. 10:27). He said those who are of God hear God’s words (Jn. 8:47).

Since every born again believer “know[s] the truth” (1 Tim. 4:3) and “the truth . . . dwelleth in [them], and shall be with [them] for ever” (2 Jn. 1:2), and henceforth is taught the truth by the Spirit of truth (1 Jn. 2:20-21, 27; Jn. 8:31-32, 44, 47; 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13; 17:6-8, 17, 19; 18:37; Pr. 8:6-9; 22:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:15) so that “Every one that is of the truth heareth [Christ’s] voice” (Jn. 18:37) and follows His voice, the voice of their Shepherd, which is the Word of God (Jn. 10:1-5) so that they are able to discern truth from error and spiritually judge all matters and rightly divide the Word of truth (1 Cor. 2:9-16; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Jn. 4:1-3) and since Gods words “are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge” (Pr. 8:8-9) — it necessary follows that those who do not follow after sound doctrine but intentionally wrest and twist the Scriptures and are unable to fully understand truth nor are able to truly rightly divide the word of truth are not led or born again by the Spirit of God. It goes against everything Scripture says and what occurs at salvation, and continues on thereafter perpetually. The indwelling Spirit only teaches truth to those He indwells, not fakes and counterfeits (1 Jn. 2:20-21, 27). The rest live in perplexity and after the flesh, in the capacity of the natural man (1 Cor 2:14-16) and will lack true spiritual discernment.

5. The Truly Saved are Fruitful and Righteous, Beginning at Salvation, Characteristically Walking in the Spirit.

Scripture that speaks to the absolute and undeniable fact that all born again believers are fruitful and from the very moment of their conversion, include: De 28:47; Ezk 36:25-27; Jer 23:3; Ps 1:1-3; Pr 11:30; 12:12b; Matt. 3:1-12; 7:15-20; 13:8-23; 21:28-32, 41-44; Mk. 4:20-29; Lk. 8:15-16; Jn. 4:35-38; 15:1-16; 16:22; 17:13; Rom. 11:16; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; 9:10; Gal. 5:22-26; Col. 1:4-6; Jam. 1:18; 2:14-26; 3:13-18.

Fruit starts immediately at salvation (Matt. 3:10; 13:23; Col. 1:4-6; Pr. 3:13-18; 11:30; 12:12). Throughout Scripture we see this truth, but maybe nowhere as clear as in Col 1:4-6,

"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:"

When a sinner hears the "the word of the truth of the gospel" and is converted to Christ, and thus comes to "kn[ow] the grace of God in truth:" his or her life "bringeth forth fruit," from that very day forward. This is not the exception but the rule. It is true in every single new birth ever present in this world as the text out of Colossians makes clear.

The repentant sinner is born again by the will of God (cf. Jn. 1:12-13) through the word of truth (Col 1:4-6; 1 Pet. 1:23-25), for “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (Jam. 1:18). As the herbs and trees yield seed after its kind “whose seed is in itself,” (Gen. 1:11), so do human beings (Gen. 1:28) including in the manner of conversion, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Pet. 1:23). This miraculous seed “take[s] root downward, and bear[s] fruit upward.” (2 Ki. 19:30) for its Root is Christ as "Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust." (Rom 15:12). But for the seed to bear fruit it must first die. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (Jn. 12:24). Death and denial of self, brings life to the quickened seed.

Because Jesus Christ is holy and fruitful, His branches are holy and fruitful:

“For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.” (Rom 11:16)

Those who abide in Christ bring forth fruit, and all true believers abide (Jn 15). All saved people bring forth fruit, even as we note in the parable of the sower, where only one of the soils is saved: the fruitful one (Matt 13). The fruit reveals the reality of their abiding in Christ and Christ in them. It reflects the reality of the indwelling Spirit. They also have the capacity through God the Father's pruning process to bear even more fruit.

“The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit . . . The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;” (Pr. 12:12; 11:30a)

Light is required to bear fruit (1 Jn. 2:3-5; Matt. 13:23; Jn. 15:1-15) and all true believers are light (Lk 11:33-36; Col 1:12-13). Being yielded to the Holy Spirit is also required to bear fruit. Fruit consists of immediate obedience to Gods will and preaching His gospel (2 Cor. 5:17–6:1; Is. 6:1-8), “shew[ing] forth from day to day his salvation” and “Declar[ing] his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations” (1 Ch. 16:23-24) because they are not ashamed of Christ anymore — it was removed at salvation (Rom. 5:5; 10:9-11; 9:33; 1:16-17; Phil. 1:20; 2 Tim. 1:12), nor is God ashamed of them (Heb. 2:11; 11:16).

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matt. 3:10)

The truly converted,

“Shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. . . . For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps. 1:3, 6; see also Ps. 92:12-15)

And Jer. 17:7-8,

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."

What is fruit? Fruit doesn’t only refer to “fruit of the Spirit” in Gal 5:22, but is much more than that (for instance: Matt 13:23; Ps 1:1-3; Pr 11:30; 12:12; Jn 4:35-38; 1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:18-6:1) and in general refers to obedience to Gods Word including practicing active separation and labouring in the gospel, for the souls of man. Every true believer "beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." (Matt 13:23). Most of the passages above would be nonsensical if fruit was primarily emotions (Gal 5:22). But let us hypothetically say it was only that—does it take some time or a long time, like months or years for “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Gal 5:22) to come about? Never. It’s present absolutely immediately at conversion, noted in all true conversions in the Word of God.

The truly saved not only bear fruit, they also reject corrupt fruit, the unfruitful works of darkness:

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5:8-11)

For further reading on fruit in the Christian, see A Profession of Faith that Doesn't Produce Immediate and Perpetual Biblical Fruit is False. See also The Holy Spirit and True Spirituality

6. The Truly Saved Live Characteristically and Faithfully in Righteousness and Holiness and Godliness, Not in Sin or After the Flesh.

Scripture that speaks to a love of righteousness and hatred for unrighteousness include: 1 Jn. 2:3-5, 28-29; 3:1-10, 21-24; Pr 8:20-21; 14:2; 16:17; Ps. 97:10.

We see this truth in the Book of Galatians. The promised Spirit, who sinners receive through faith alone at the moment of their justification (Gal. 3:14; cf. Rom. 8:9-11), will produce His fruit (Gal. 5:16-26) in those who have received Him (Gal. 4:6). Those justified by faith alone will be led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:18; cf. Rom. 8:14) into a walk of holiness that is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and other holy Spirit-produced acts, rather than the fleshly works that characterize those who will not enter the kingdom but suffer damnation (Gal. 5:19-23). Faith will work by love (Gal. 5:6). Indeed, the entire Christian life is lived by faith in the Son of God (Gal. 2:20; cf. Gal. 5:5). Justification by faith alone (Gal. 2:16, 21) does not continue a life of sin, because the believer is legally dead to the law, crucified with Christ, and alive to God (Gal. 2:17-20; Rom 6). As is clear in Genesis and Habakkuk, Galatians affirms the twin truths that justification in the sight of God is by grace through faith alone, based on the imputed righteousness of Christ alone, and that faithfulness and holiness are the inevitable and immediate consequents springing from true faith. The just shall live by faith, as Abraham did (Jam. 2:21-24; Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:6). The false pretender doesn't. When a person doesn't live by faith, he isn't just, meaning he isn't justified. He isn't saved.

The saved person will have a new love of righteousness. He still has a fallen nature and is still tempted to sin at times, but he wants to obey God and has the indwelling power to do it (Eph 1:19). Striving after righteousness doesn’t refer to some sort of sinless perfection of the Christian life. The born again child of God has new loves and new hates and a clear new direction, but he still has the "old man" (Eph. 4:22-24) and unfortunately still sins (1 Jn. 1:8-2:1). Furthermore, whille true believers do not grow at the same rate or bear the same amount of fruit (Matt. 13:8, 23), all do progress in adoring holiness and hating sin, with increased conviction of and humility concerning personal sinfulness.

There is no such thing as a "carnal Christian." Paul divided everyone into two categories, not three: natural or carnal (1 Cor. 2:14; 3:1-3), and then spiritual (1 Cor 1:9-16). That should be the basis for what we read in 1 Cor 3, and then Rom 8 will harmonise with 1 Cor 3 and the rest of Scripture. Some use 1 Cor 3:1-3 to establish that sin is still the master in some Christians, so that there must be the ever elusive category of “carnal Christian.” This passage doesn't teach anything even remote to this. It simply affirms that Corinthian believers were allowing sinful envying and divisiveness in their ranks. Paul had just confirmed with them two chapters earlier, in the beginning of the letter, that “the testimony of Christ was confirmed in [them]:” (1 Cor 1:6) and that the “Lord Jesus Christ” would “also confirm [them] unto the end, that [they] may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom [they] were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:7-9) and Paul could also tell the very same assembly that they had been freed from the dominion of sin and been dramatically and permanently changed by God a few chapters later (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

The "carnal Christian" is a false professor, and he is as "The dog [that] is turned to his own vomit again." (2 Pet 2:22). He was still a dog after making his alleged profession of salvation. If he had been saved, he would have then been a sheep. Also, "... the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." He is still a sow. He wasn't washed in the blood of Christ. If he had been, he would have been a new creature. He would have been a ewe instead of a sow. Sheep don't eat their vomit and ewes don't wallow in the mire. Dogs and sows do! Satan and his ministers are professionals at getting people to make false professions that won't hold up under pressure. Real, true, born again Christians continue!

Sadly, many today are influenced by the deeply-engrained evangelical teaching that God's grace, although powerful enough to save your soul and to preserve it to Heaven, is somehow not powerful enough to break the bonds of sin in your life. It's unbiblical because it is without proper exegetical Scriptural support; it's blasphemous because it contradicts the Scriptural doctrine that God's grace raises us to live soberly, godly, and righteously in this world and to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Ti. 2:11-12); it's dangerous because unregenerate sinners can grasp onto false assurances of eternal life based on having prayed some sinner's prayer (as long as I "meant it" at the time), which is a dead faith illustrated in passages such as Ac. 8:13, 20 and Jam. 2:19, and by the false distinction between a believer (who is supposedly saved, but may look, act, and live like an utter worldling) and a disciple/Christian (one who is saved and looks acts and lives a life of piety before the Lord).

Those who continue in sin are sinners (Rom 6:23). No place in the Bible are God's children called sinners after they are saved. We are not perfect creatures as far as practicality, but we are new creatures. Sin is not the theme of our lives as it was before salvation. You will not find one case in the Bible where a child of God is called a sinner. The lost are called sinners, God's children are called saints and sons of God. This is not sinless perfection, but the domination of sin is completely broken and freed.

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness" (Rom 6:16-18)

Evidence of salvation specifically for women:

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Ti. 2:3-5)

The way of Jesus, “that Great Shepherd of the sheep” (Heb. 13:20) is righteousness and that is how He leads all His sheep (Jn. 10:26-28). Of course He does, for He is righteous and "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 Jn. 2:29). Those justifed are not only righeous by position but also by practice. Many other passages confirm this such as Rom. 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Jn. 10:28 Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” Those that don’t live righteously are not led by Jesus and thus unsaved (Pr. 8:32).

7. The Truly Saved Love the Saints, their Brethren in Christ, and Continue On with Other True Believers that Likewise Demonstrate these Evidences in Their Lives.

Scripture that speaks to love for the brethren and continuing with true believers include: 1 Th. 4:9; Jn. 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; 1 Jn. 2:9-11, 19; 3:10-16; 4:7-12, 16-21; 5:2; 1 Pet. 1:22.

This is a major mark of true conversion. “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (1 Jn. 3:14). To love our brethren is to desire and long for fellowship with them and to show love to them and do God's will with them. Those that depart from the fellowship of the true saints (1 Jn. 2:19) and move onto heresy and apostasy (e.g. new evangelicalism, emerging church, religion, cults, etc), expose a lack of love for the brethren.

Loving the brethren is intricately linked to obedience to God's Word. In fact only those that love God first and foremost and show that love by keeping His Word, are even able to truly love their brethren:

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments." (1 Jn 5:2)

Brethren is not referring to ones siblings or to other unbelievers, but to spiritual brethren through the new birth and adoption into the body of Christ, the bride of Christ (the word “brethren” is also used between both saved or lost Jews, the context will alleviate confusion between the two). Many times in Scripture the true spiritual brother is referred to as "beloved brother" or "dearly beloved." Agapetos is the descriptive Greek term translated “dearly beloved” in Phil 4:1. The Heavenly Father uses agapetos to express His love for His “beloved Son” (Matt. 3:17). Most of the NT letters freely use agapetos to describe various personal relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ. That unique and deeply spiritual love is what demonstrates our great difference to the unsaved (Jn 13:34-35).

False "believers" will many times exhibit their unregeneracy by departing from the truth.

"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 Jn. 2:19)

Love for the brethren involves desiring to be in a fellowship of true blood bought believers who demonstrate the same evidences of salvation, assembling together in true unity, which is precious. They are not content in fellowshipping with hypocrites and fakes; they want the real thing. It is God, Whom indwells all true believers, that actually teaches His children to love one another: "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1 Th. 4:9). The false pretending "believer" attempts to mimic this behaviour but it is spurious.

"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. . . . If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." (1 Jn. 2:9; 4:20-21)

True believers truly love their brethren, but false "believers" actually do not, though they profess to. Its also not something they attempt to drum up; its true love that is able to admonish one another (Rom 15:14). Many fake their love for others, but true agape love between brethren is actually given of the Lord and will take place in EVERY born again believers life. A true believer indwelt by the Spirit of God can discern the difference between true love and a counterfeit.

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 Jn. 3:10-16)

Love for the brethren is demonstrated not in word and tongue only "but in deed and in truth." (1 Jn 3:16-18). Love for the true brethren means continuing with the true brethren (1 Jn. 2:19).

8. The Truly Saved Love Not the World and Thus are Separated from the World and they Worship God in Spirit and in Truth, not by False Worship.

Scripture that speaks to not loving the world any longer and separating from it, and worshiping the Father in spirit and in truth, include: Ps 1:1-6; Jn. 4:23-24; 15:18-20; 17:14,16; Rom. 6:17-22; 8:1-17; 1 Cor. 5:9-11; 7:34; 2 Cor 6:14-18; Eph. 5:7-12; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; 3:1a; 4:5; Jam. 1:27; 4:4.

1 Jn. 2:15-17,

"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. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Those that love the world, the love of the Father is not in them. If the love of the Father is not in you, then you aren't saved (see Rom. 8:35-39; Jn. 5:42; 16:37; 17:26). God is love. No love, no God. The God of love, Whom indwells His children and sheds His love abroad in our hearts by the indwelling Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:5) and teaches us to love Him (De. 30:6) and our brethren (1 Th. 3:12), never leaves His children, nor does His love (Jn. 16:37; Rom. 8:35-39). Even His chastisement is done only in love (Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-11). 1 Jn. 2:16 is characteristic of only lost people, since this of the world and not of the Father, and they are contrasted in v. 17 with those who do the will of God which is those who are saved (“but he that doeth of God abideth for ever”). Saved people do the will of God, and all those that don’t aren’t saved (“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.” — Matt 7:21; see also Matt. 12:50; Lk. 6:46-49; Heb. 10:36; Rom. 16:26; 1 Jn. 2:3-5; Jn. 14:15-24). Furthermore, every born again believer has overcome the world. It happened at salvation (1 Jn. 5:1-5; cf. Rom. 8:28-30). Like the rest of 1, 2 & 3 John and James, John is contrasting true believers with the false in 1 Jn 2:15-17.

The fake pretending believer who has never been genuinely converted will lust after the world and its allurements, and thus does not abide forever because he does not abide in the will of God. To love the world means to love the culture, things and fashions of the world, such as their dressing standards (i.e. women dressing immodestly or like men — De. 22:5; 1 Tim. 2:9), entertainment and worldly pleasures, riches, music, fashion, pride of life, popularity, public eye, materialism, friendships, etc, rather than labouring “for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life.” (Jn. 6:27). You might deceive yourself or sear your conscience over these matters, relegating them to some unBiblical secondary or tertiary category, but God's Word paints an entirely different picture. There we read that those who love the world are absent of the Fathers love (1 Jn 2:15), and are the enemies of God (Jam 4:4), two very strong indicators of unregeneracy.

Without fulfillment in Christ, people look elsewhere to find it. Maybe they feel lonely. They know they are missing something. They struggle to give up the world, because of the emptiness. It is a replacement, however, for an actual relationship.  This is not trusting Jesus Christ. Like Lot, a righteous soul will also be vexed, an indication of the life of God in him. Quoting Pr 26:11, Peter compares looking for a worldly relationship to a dog returning to its vomit (2 Pet 2:22). A true born again believer will know it's vomit compared to Christ and can't persist with that. The charm of the world will not hold him. This is characteristic of a true Christian. How could someone be saved, really know Jesus Christ, when he keeps choosing the world or unbelievers or sin over Christ? Christ isn't satisfying Him. Christ satisfies. It isn't Christ who is the problem. This is a person, if he continues, who doesn't have that relationship. That's why he keeps choosing the replacements.

The Bible gives us examples of false "believers" who appeared true but were exposed as counterfeits and hypocrites by their lust of the world. Two come to mind: Lot's wife and Demas. (1) Lot's wife wouldn't separate from Sodom. Her association revealed her true heart (though it appeared very much like she was a believer) and it turned her into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26). With God's warning, Lot left (Gen. 19:29) and Peter reveals that his righteous soul was vexed with seeing and hearing their unlawful deeds (2 Pet. 2:8). We know of many people who call themselves Christians, but they aren't vexed with seeing and hearing. They lap it up and seem only to be angry when someone exposes their own unlawful deeds. When the time comes to choose, they choose not the way of Lot but Lot's wife, who God turned into a pillar of salt as a reminder to all who profess to believe but are counterfeits (Lk 17:32). (2) Demas. “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…” (2 Tim 4:10). Demas forsook Paul and loved this present world, two citical markers of unregenercy. Forsaking Paul, or any of the other apostles, was tantamount to forsaking the Lord Jesus Christ. They were one and the same as far as purpose and authority. Forsaking an apostle was not only forsaking apostolic doctrine, but also Christ because scripture tells us that following the apostles was synonymous with following Christ. Jesus Himself stated this, when instructing the apostles in their evangelistic journey: “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (Matt 10:40). Specifically the Bible repeatedly tells us to follow Paul (cf. 1 Cor 4:16-17; 11:1). Not following Paul is denying Christ. Demas loved this present world over Christ which made him an apostate. Apostates aren’t saved. They have never been, nor will they likely ever be. Even the very passage itself tells us that Demas had in fact been an unsaved man all along. Very sad, but very true.

In his first epistle, John wrote that “the world knoweth us not” (1 Jn. 3:1b). In Jn. 17 the Son prayed to His Father:

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (Jn. 17:14-16)

Quite the opposite of 1 Jn. 2:15, representative of most so-called professors of Christianity today who are fully known by the world. They love the world and the love of the Father is not in them (1 Jn. 2:15b).

If the true born again believer is “not of the world” like God the Son stated (Jn. 15:19; 17:14, 16), how could he love the world (1 Jn. 2:15)? He can’t. It’s not possible. If the true born again believer does not have “the spirit of the world” like the apostle Paul said (1 Cor. 2:12), how could he love the world (1 Jn. 2:15)? He can’t. If the true believer is not known by the world like John the apostle said (1 Jn. 3:1b), how could he love the world? He simply can't. The Bible in no uncertain terms says that every new birth results in a new creature where old things are passed away and all things are beome new (2 Cor 5:17). You are than very different from the world. You’re not conformed to the world. You deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. As it says in Titus, we abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. Separation from the mannerisms and customs of the world is a central teaching throughout Scripture.

Ti. 2:11-13 makes it clear that the same grace of God that saves is also teaches us immediately that we should deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"

Worldliness is a major mark of a fake "Christian." A person either loves the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 10:25-28) —which God produces in the born again believer by the circumcision of the heart (De. 10:12, 16; Jer. 4:4; Col. 2:11-12)—or he loves the world (1 Jn. 2:15, 17; cf. Matt. 7:21). It's one or the other. Never both. It's impossible, for Jesus said:

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt. 6:24)

Not only does the true believer not love the world, neither does the world love him. The Lord Jesus Christ said,

"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (Jn. 15:19)

"Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you." (1 Jn. 3:13)

When Jesus preached His gospel to the lost Samaritan woman at the well, He preached to her the only worship acceptable to God:

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (Jn 4:23-24)

God saves us to worship Him (Jn. 4:23-24). Worship is recognizing Who God is and giving Him what He wants. If we won't give Him what He has told us He wants in His Word, then we aren't worshipers of His. His sheep will know Him and His voice, and follow Him (Jn. 10:27). Those who don't are not His sheep. Then true believers will separate from those who will not worship the Lord. As Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye shall serve" (Jos. 24:15). True worshippers do not continue with false worshippers.

Christian Contemporary Music (CCM), which appeals only to the flesh and senses, completely violates both of these aspects of true worship ("in spirit and in truth"), which then means they are not worshipping the Father but something or someone else, parallel to the lost Israelites in the wilderness worshipping the golden calf with strange fire and raucous music. People that offer false worship, which is a false gospel, have a dead spirit and do not know the truth. They have never performed the first act of worship necessary for the sinner, which is offering their soul to God (Matt. 6:24; Lk. 14:25-15:32).

Those that love the things and ways of the world, will also naturally offer false worship to God which is a false gospel. These dovetail. This is especially noted by worldly and ungodly music including CCM (i.e. “Christian” rock). People that love the worlds music including CCM, love the world. That ought to go without saying. The Bible however says that those who love the world are not saved and those who are truly saved have a new love, the love of God — they exchanged masters at salvation (Matt. 6:24) and never again love the world and thus are separated from the world and all its allurements and pursuits (Jn. 15:18-20; 17:14, 16; Rom. 6:17-22; 8:1-17; 1 Cor. 2:12; 7:34; I Jn. 2:15-17; 3:1, 11-13; 4:5; 5:19; Jam. 1:27; 4:4). They no longer pattern themselves after the things of the world, but after the things of Gods. They leave off the entire licentious and carnal scene, which again includes music and by extension all worldly music whether it comes under the banner of “Christian” or not, if it doesn’t align with the truths and principles found in Scripture.

Those that love the world are the enemies of God, a title typically reserverd for Satan,

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (Jam 4:4)

Not only do the truly saved not love the world, they are also not accepted by the world (1 Jn. 3:1-2; 4:4-6), for they are hated by the world (1 Jn. 3:11-13; Jn. 17:14-16).

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (Jn 15:19)

The born again believer will live characteristically according to God’s Word because his loves and hates have completely and permanently reversed. Love for God, His Word, His will and His people; hate for the world, sin, and the flesh. That is not true of the false "believer," the pretender.

The professing Christianity that I see around doesn't look like the Bible. People like to and will say that they are going to heaven when they die. They like thinking that they have their get-out-of-jail-free card and their fire escape plan, so they can go on to do basically what they want to do now. Their false worship in many cases gives them away.

God is not the Father of those who will not separate from the world and from false worship, they are not His sons and daughters:

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Cor. 6:14-18)

9. The Truly Saved are Overcomers of Apostasy, the Devil, and the World.

Scripture that speaks to overcoming of apostasy, Satan and the world, include: Jn. 16:33; Matt 17:14-18; 1 Jn. 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4-5; Rev. 21:7.

Every born again believer is an overcomer. It occurred at salvation and then continues on, characterizing their life. A person does not have to overcome in order to be justified. That would be a false gospel of works. No, if you are saved, that is, justified, you will overcome, and you will be saved. If you don't overcome, you will not be saved. Why? Because you were never justified. Justification will produce overcoming, just like it will produce conforming to the image of the Son (Rom. 8:29-30).We are justified by repentant faith (Rom 5:1, Gal 2:16) and every true believer will overcome. If he does not overcome, he indicates that he was never justified. That's how overcoming relates to justification.

Here are some samples:

“He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Rev. 21:7)

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Rev. 2:7)

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev. 3:5)

Overcoming is not a work, but a necessary consequence of someone's justification by faith. God produces overcoming. He works in us both to will to overcome and then to overcome. Believers will overcome. If they don't overcome, they weren't believers, and, therefore, they won't be saved. People who are chastised are saved. They have been justified. God does not chastise unbelievers. So if someone is chastised unto death, he is also necessarily, surely an overcomer.

Overcoming the world happens at the very moment of salvation, not at some point in the Christian life, but it continues on in the Christian life. Salvation is the event of overcoming.

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 Jn. 5:4-5)

All Christians will live a victorious Christian life. Many places in the NT say that, but we're reminded of 1 Jn. 5:1-5. Whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world and is obedient to the Word of God (1 Jn. 5:1-5). Overcoming characterizes the Christian so assuredly that John says it happened at salvation (1 Jn. 5:4-5). Those that don't overcome, aren't saved. Lot, who is used as the red herring for and by the “carnal” crowd, overcame. Peter says he was saved (2 Pet. 2:7-9). Rom. 8:28-30 promises overcoming. Everyone God justifies, He has predestined to conform to the image of His Son. This is the message of Jesus at the end of every one of His messages to the seven churches in Rev 2 and 3. People who are saved have complete victory, the theme of Rom 6. They became victorious NOT by living "the crucified life" as Keswick/ higher life/ second blessing heresy proclaims (every born again Christian IS crucified with Christ - Gal. 2:20; it occured at salvation) or some other higher life philosophy applied to salvation; they became victorious AT salvation because of Christ, Rom. 6-8 makes this clear, as does 1 Cor. 15:57, Paul referencing what transpires at conversion (context: 1 Cor 15:50-58).

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The problem today is that there are many, many unconverted people in churches. A large reason for that is because they have heard a false gospel that either did not present Scriptural faith or a Biblical Jesus. An absent or false repentance is a false faith. It's not saving faith. That's "another gospel" (2 Cor. 11:4) that doesn't save. A "Jesus" that is received at salvation that is only a Saviour but not the Lord, that doesn't need to be received as Lord and submitted to as Lord, is "another Jesus" (2 Cor. 11:4). They can't live a victorious life because they are not born of God, having recieved a false gospel and a false Jesus. They have no victory because they do not have the love of God in their heart. This is a test of faith (Lk. 10:25-28). All who are saved always have the love of God in their hearts. God promises and absolutely guarantees it because He gives it by circumcising their hearts (De. 30:6; Col. 2:11-15; Rom. 5:5). They don't love the world, because those that love the world don't have the love of the Father in them: "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (1 Jn. 2:15). Those that love the world (1 Jn. 2:15) and thus don't do the will of God (1 Jn. 2:17) -- further demonstrating their false profession (Matt. 7:21, cf. vv. 21-23; Mk. 3:31-35) -- have never been "deliver[ed] . . . from this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4) and have yet "the spirit of the world" rather than "the spirit which is of God" in them (1 Cor. 2:12), and because they are "a friend of the world," that makes them "an enemy of God." (Jam. 4:4). Through the new covenant, a believer already has victory through the Lord Jesus Christ. He will continually experience that victory through obedience, by just doing right. Doing right will characterize his life, because that is the nature of the grace of God (1 Jn. 2:29). He is the overcomer.

Overcoming the devil also occurs at salvation, not at some point in the Christian life:

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them ["every spirit that [is a] spirit of antichrist," - v. 3]: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 Jn. 4:4)

"I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. . . . I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." (1 Jn. 2:13-14)

"Overcoming" is also dealing with apostasy. Overcoming apostasy happens at salvation and will be demonstrated through endurance and perseverance in the Christian life, turning from error (cf. 2 Jn 1:9-11), from false teachings (1 Cor 15:33), from false teachers (Rom 16:17; 2 Tim 3:8-9; etc). The overcomer does not apostatize. He does not turn from the faith. It is not saying that he will not sin ever again. He will keep believing because the just always live by faith, which is by obedience. If he doesn't keep believing in the Lord for salvation demonstrated by obedience to His Word (there is only one way of showing love and faith towards the Lord and that is by obedience to His Word: Jn 14:23-24; 1 Jn 2:3-5; 2:1:5-6), then he never believed, was never saved in the first place (1 Jn 2:19, 3:6). Jesus will say unto him, "Depart from me, I never knew you." (Matt 7:23).

Somebody who says that the doctrine of "overcoming" is "frontloading works" to the gospel is wrong. He is telling a lie either deceived or on purpose. He is also confusing salvation. That's a very bad thing to do. Someone not overcoming may think he's saved because he doesn't think overcoming is a necessary consequence of saving faith. He will be in for the worst rude awakening. Let's not be the cause of that.

10. The Truly Saved Hear, Believe, Love and Study the Word of God. They do Not Question or Cast Doubt upon God's Word; They Love it, All of It.

Scripture that speaks to a passionate and undivided love for the Word of God includes: De. 6:4-6; Ps. 1:2; 119:105; Jn. 8:31-32, 44, 47; 1 Jn. 4:4-6; Pr. 9:9; 2 Tim 2:15.

The saved person will have a new desire for and understanding of the Bible. He will hear, believe, love and study the Word of God. His once blinded eyes now see truth, and he has received understanding and wisdom. Attitude toward the Bible is one of the clearest evidences of one's spiritual condition. Saved people do not question or cast doubt upon God's Word; they love it and learn from it. (Jn. 8:31-32, 44, 47; 1 Jn. 4:4-6; Pr. 9:9). They also do not twist Scripture into something that it doesn’t mean, to fit an agenda or presupposition.

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Pr. 9:9)

"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." (1 Jn. 4:6)

How much does a saved regenerated person indwelt by the Spirit of truth love Gods truth? He or she can never get enough! The love of truth in fact started before the sinner was converted. It has to or there simply is no conversion. All those that will perish in their sin, “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Th. 2:10). When a repentant sinner seeks after God and loves His truth, he will “come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4). So then, how much the more does the saved person love the truth, that very truth whereby he was converted!

Faithful and obedient Christians do not add or take away from the Bible, they believe that the Lord Jesus kept His promise when He said that “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35; cf. Matt. 5:18; Ps 12:6-7; Is 59:21). They receive (Jn 17:8) the pure Bible that God has preserved without corruption until today, accurately translated in the King James Version (KJV). They consequently reject corrupt translations of Scripture like the ESV, NKJV, NIV, Living Bible, NRSV, NASV, etc. (If you want to see if you have a corrupt Bible, look at verses like Matt. 17:21 Mk. 9:44, 46; Ac. 8:37; 1 Jn. 5:7 and see if they are still there just like they are in the KJV, or if they have been changed or taken out --  for further reading see: Why Modern Bible Versions are Corrupt, and the King James Version is Not). Although the NKJV does have these passages, it has many other errors comparable to the other versions. One ought to remember the solemn warning,

“If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18-19)

God has promised to preserve His Word, fine details of Scripture, as well as its teaching (Ps. 12:6-7; 119:89, 152, 160; Is. 40:8; Matt. 4:4; 5:18; 24:35; 1 Pet. 1:23-25; Rev. 22:18-19). E.g. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89). When God gave the Scriptures, He intended to guard and preserve them; they are “founded forever” (Ps. 119:152). The doctrines of inspiration and preservation are intimately associated in the Scripture. The association is not merely logical; it is scriptural. The divine preservation of Scripture is not merely implied or inferred in the Bible, it is explicitly promised. As the New Covenant exceeds the Old in glory (2 Cor. 3:6-11), we can expect that the God who has promised to preserve the very jots and tittles of the Old will do no less with the New. All of the demons in Satan’s army and all of the heretics of all ages and all of the unbelief of man cannot thwart even one of God’s testimonies. 

There is nothing of greater importance than the Word of God, and God has clearly declared His word to be magnified above His own name!

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (Ps. 138:2)

A truly saved person will adore and greatly love the Scriptures, the water and bread of his life. He does not question God's Word or doubt it, but passionately believes every word in it.

11. The Truly Saved are Waiting and Watching for Christ's Return and Coming Judgment; They Live in Expectancy of His Imminent Return and Reign as King in His Earthly Millennial Kingdom.

Scripture that speaks to always waiting and watching for Christ's return and coming judgment, and Millennial Kingdom, include: Matt. 24:42-51; 25:1-13; Mk. 10:32-37; 1 Th. 1:9-10; 5:6; 2 Th. 3:5; 2 Pet. 3:1-13; 1 Cor. 1:7; 1 Jn. 3:2-3; Jam. 5:7.

This is actually a very important evidence of conversion. They have spiritual conviction of the coming judgment, and the reality and certainty of divine things. Christ's return is directly connected with repentance (Ac. 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:1-10) and an important mark of salvation (e.g. 1 Th. 1:9-10; Ti. 2:11-13 Matt. 24:42-51; 25:1-13; 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 9:28). Biblically there would be little purpose in believing in Jesus Christ without the context of His return (cf. Heb. 9:27-28; 1 Th. 1:9-10). Ac. 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:9 connects saving repentance directly to the return of Christ and the coming judgment (seen also in the message preached by the angel in Rev. 14:6-7, which is the same “everlasting gospel” we preach today and has ever been preached). Christ' call to “watch” for His return (Matt 25:13) is made to lost people (Matt 25:11-12). Watching should lead to salvation. Truly watching which means preparation and preperation is being born again and serving the Lord and thus watching.

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:28)

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8)

At the point of their conversion, the Thessalonians were immediately waiting for the return of Christ:

"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Th. 1:9-10).

This is the standard for all true believers, as we see in Ac. 17:30-31,

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."

Those who don’t watch diligently are false believers, pretenders, hypocrites, and Jesus says when He comes, He “shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:51). The false believer, evident by not watching and waiting for his Lord, will be chopped up and cast into hell along with all other hypocrites (false pretenders). Those that profess to be saved but aren't looking for His return are wicked servants (Matt. 24:45-51).

12. The Truly Saved Abide in Christ, Including in the Doctrine of Christ; They can Never Stop Abiding in Christ, nor Does He stop Abiding in Them.

Scripture that speaks to always abiding in Christ and in His doctrine, include: Jn. 15:1-16; 1 Jn. 2:24, 27-29; 3:24; 4:13; 2 Jn. 1:9.

In the context of Jn 15, Judas had left the other eleven (Jn 13). He had defected. He had not remained with Jesus and them. He wouldn't persevere. He couldn't overcome. He did apostatize. He pushed the eject button on following Christ, for his true master was mammon. That very night would be one of great affliction and trial. The apostles would be tested mightily. Peter would deny the Lord thrice. They didn’t yet have the indwelling Holy Spirit, but that was no excuse. Again and again in the upper room and in their journey to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus said that if a man loved Him, he would keep His commandments, His words, His sayings. Those who would not keep His commandments did not love Him and were defectors, false professors. The promises of Jn 14, intended as comforting realities and calming truths, were for those who loved the Lord Jesus Christ, while simultaneously exposing those who were fakes, that is, false believers. Their faith wouldn’t endure the test of God. They didn’t truly love the Lord Jesus because they wouldn’t obey Him. The vine and the branch analogy of Jn 15 is a metaphor. It was one used for God and the nation Israel, a very familiar one for Israel through the OT. God had warned Israel through His prophets about defecting, about not remaining or staying with Him, and losing out on His blessings and eternal life. Israel's apostasy itself brought the eleven to this point with Jesus.

The Greek verb “meno,” translated as “abide,” means to remain or stay, not go elsewhere. It's a simple word. If you stayed, you weren't taking off. While they walked to a very difficult trial, Jesus was saying, "Don't take off." He said, "Abide in me," because of the vine and branch metaphor. The branch needed to abide in the vine or else be thrown into the fire. "Abide" is an aorist imperative, which is constative.

People who are saved will not leave the Lord Jesus Christ. Defectors like Judas are not saved. They will be cast into the fire. These are deniers of God, who are denied before the Father (Matt 10:33). This is not talking about how to be a better Christian. People who abide are saved people. All saved people abide. If you do not abide in Christ, then you don’t belong to Him. Jesus spent much of John 14 speaking to them about God indwelling believers. He was with them but then He would be in them. The ones He indwells are those who overcome, who persevere, which is all truly saved people (1 Jn 2:13-14; 4:4; 5:4-5; Rev 2:7, 11; 3:5).

Many passages of Scripture teach that all those who are justified will also be progressively sanctified and evidently changed (Matt. 7:18-19; Jn. 15:1-11; 17:17; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:18-24; Eph. 2:8-10; 5:5-6; Heb. 8:8-12; and Rev. 21:8, 27). For everything that God does to keep believers, so that no man can pluck them out of His hand, believers will cooperate in continuing in Him. Jesus is the Vine. They will remain attached to the Vine, which is abiding in Him.

Christ in Jn 15:6 says “if a man” abide not, rather than “if ye abide not,” for, Judas having been separated from them, the remaining disciples were all genuine believers. "Abiding in Christ" is not an instruction for how to be a better Christian, which is the only other way it can be interpreted, besides “losing salvation” (which is a false gospel). Those who abide in Him do in fact keep loving Him and keeping His commandments. Jesus said they will (Jn 14:23-24; Pr 8:17-21). John said they will, or they don’t know the Father and don’t have the truth dwelling in them (1 Jn 2:3-5). Faith in Christ is not a dead faith, but a living faith, a persevering faith. A person born of God will keep on believing in Jesus as a practice and way of life because every just person lives by faith (Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38-39). False professing believers on the other hand fall back unto eventual perdition, that is eternal destruction (Heb 10:39), representative of the branch that appears to be part of the vine but is not, and “is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn 15:6). They also represent the corrupt tree with the corrupt fruit (Matt 7:15-20), “trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;” (Ju 1:12c). God indwells the saved individual, the one who abides in Christ, and enables him to love Christ and keep His commandments (De 30:6; Rom 5:5).

13. The Truly Saved Live to Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, Not Themselves, thus Live for Him and Labour in His Word, not After the Flesh or Riches.

Scripture that speaks to glorying in the Lord and not in themselves include: Ps 49:6-20; 1 Jn 2:15-17; Lk. 1:46-47; Jn. 16:13-14; 17:10; 1 Cor. 1:26-31; 3:18-23; 5:6; 2 Cor 4:15; 5:15; 10:13, 17-18; 11:2, 12-13, 18, 30; 12:1-12; Gal 6:14; 1 Th 2:4-6; Jer 17:5-8.

1 Cor. 1:26-31 and 2 Cor. 10:17-18,

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. . . . But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."

The very consideration of whom God calls to salvation and chooses to save (because they do respond to His conviction and reproof by repentance and faith), the foolish, the weak, the base and despised, “hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Cor 1:26-29) shows us that false pretenders do not glorify God but self, also the reason why they will not be genuinely converted. Such that are genuinely saved glory in the Lord (v. 31) because of what they have in Christ Jesus: “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (v. 30). They have nothing else to glory in, but false pretenders, hypocrites, they glory in the flesh because they have nothing else to genuinely glory, though the pretend to glorify Christ. An example is seen in Gal. 6:13 concerning Jewish false teachers: “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”

Saved people glory not in men but in the Lord. Therefore, they work for the Lord’s glory because they are empowered by Gods grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:8-10; Ti. 2:11-15), and not for their own glory (2 Cor. 10:17-18). The false “believer” lives for his own glory, his own belly, and eventually when he becomes a man of stature in the church, he is a full blown false teacher (Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19; Is. 56:10-11). They are blind, greedy, selfish, lazy, unalarmed dogs:

"His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter."  (Is 56:10-11)

This is huge. It may be a bit more difficult to discern but it’s absolutely huge. Who does the person glorify? Whom he lives for, he will glorify. Either self or God. Or we may say, either mammon or God, for no man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). Man does not become someone by their manner of living. Who they are is based upon their position, whether in Christ or out of Christ.

God saves us to bring glory to His name (Eph. 1:11-14; Gal 6:14).

“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal. 6:14)

This is also huge because the flesh naturally wants to glory in self. It lives for it. The lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). But that is a characteristic of someone that loves the world (1 Jn. 2:15) — i.e. a lost person — who lives after the lusts of the world (and thus his flesh) and not a saved person who lives according to "the will of God" and thus "abideth for ever" (1 Jn. 2:17). Why more difficult to discern?

False believers and teachers glory in themselves. Paul stated this in his warning to the Corinthians of these wolves in sheep's clothing:

 "But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

False teachers seek man-centered glory while the saved God's glory:

"As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (Gal. 6:13-14)

We could essentially divide people that profess to be Christian into two camps: the man-centred camp (unregenerate), and the God-centred camp (regenerate). The man-centred camp is majority of evangelicalism, much of fundamentalism, and all the rest of Christendom (sects, denominations, Orthodox, Catholicism, protestant groups, etc). The man-centered camp seeks to glorify self first and foremost. The man-centred professor who happens to be in a teaching or preaching position, is serving his belly, and not Christ, evident by his adherence to unsound doctrine, abrasiveness to the truth and correction, and purpose of gaining the hearts of the simple through good words and fair speeches, i.e., in other words, by speaking to appease and tickle the ears of the people (2 Tim 4:3-4).

Do you seek glory from man instead of God? If it’s attention you seek and selfish glory, it is better to have God exalt you then glorifying yourself.

”But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” (2 Cor. 10:17-18)

14. The Truly Saved Judge and have Spiritual Discernment and Contend for the Faith.

Scripture that speaks to judging and spiritual discernment and the things that come with this, such as contending for the faith include: Lev. 19:15, 35-37; Pr. 21:3, 15; Zec 8:16; 1 Jn. 4:1-6; Ac. 17:11; 1 Th. 5:21; Is 8:20; Jn. 12:7; 1 Cor. 2:12-16; Jn. 7:24; Gal. 2:4-5; Ti 1:9-16; Rom. 16:17; Phil. 1:9-10; 3:2, 17-19; 1 Tim 4:1; Ju 1:3.

Every true believer has spiritual discernment and command to judge, 1 Cor. 2:12-16:

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

"Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delievred unto the saints" (Ju 1:3b)

Critically testing everything that is visualized or heard is exercising spiritual discernment. Discernment is judgment based on a standard. If you can judge, and you can and must (Jn 7:24; Lk 12:57; 1 Cor 2:15; 10:15; Pr 21:3,15; 1 Th 5:21; etc), then you have a basis for judgment. If you can't judge, then it doesn't matter. Judging is not subjective, but with an objective standard, the Word of God. Everything is to be judged (1 Cor 2:15; Ac 17:11), which requires discernment. Only saved people have discernment, because they are saved, they “have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 Jn 2:20), therefore “he that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Cor 2:15).

Truth by nature is antithetical. You can't love truth and error simultaneously. Loving truth requires hating error, which then requires rejecting error. All of it requires discernment. To love health mandates hating disease. The same is true concerning truth and error, righteousness and unrighteousness. Loving right doctrine means hating false doctrine. We can't love and hate false doctrine at the same time, nor is it possible from the same heart. To get rid of false doctrine and practice, we must treat them like they matter to someone, at least to God, and hopefully us. The opposition of truth with error, is noted through Scripture. For example:

“Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” (Ps 119:127-128)

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. " (1 Th 5:21)

Only what is Biblically sound “is good.”

In this manner, they are not led astray by false teachers (1 Jn. 2:18-27; 4:1-3; 2 Jn. 1:6-11; Matt. 24:24), they follow not the voice of strangers but the voice of their Shepherd (Jn. 10:1-5; De. 13:3-4).

True converts have and exercise spiritual discernment because they have the Spirit of God dwelling in them (1 Cor. 2:9-16) and are led by Him (Rom. 8:14-16). Thus they are able to test and discern between “the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 Jn. 4:6). They thus embrace the spirit of truth and reject the spirit of error. Therefore they will, as commanded, “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1). Hence they are not led astray by false teachers (Matt. 24:24; 1 Jn. 2:18-27; 4:1-3; 2 Pet. 3:16-17; 2 Jn. 1:6-11), for they follow not the voice of strangers (teachers of false doctrine) but their Shepherd (Jn. 10:1-5; De 13:3-4). The false “believer” on the other hand does not exercise true discernment because his spirit is dead and he is Spirit-less and blind and thus does not separate and warn of error or false teachers but rather follows them.

With discernment comes judging (Lev. 19:15, 35-37), and "It is joy to the just to do judgment" (Pr. 21:15), which they do righteously, for Christ commands us to "Judge not according to the appearance [respect of persons], but judge righteous judgment" (Jn. 7:24), and they judge all things for "he that is spiritual [saved] judgeth all things," (1 Cor. 2:15). It is the Holy Spirit of God that teaches and convicts and leads the true believer (whom He indwells) to judge and have spiritual discernment – which always requires a standard and thus judging (1 Cor. 2:14).

In their judgment, they don't judge themselves by comparing and measuring themselves with others, but rather by the Word of God alone (2 Cor. 10:12). The hypocrite on the other hand (him that professes to be lost or a "believer" that is unsaved) judges hypocritically (Matt 7:1-5). He has a beam in his eye and attempts to remove the beam out of another's persons eye, in his false judgment (Rom 2:1-5).

Today this is more needed than ever before in the history of mankind. Never before has there been such a deluge of error, heresy and apostasy, which the Bible warns of such a time to come (2 Tim 3:1-13; 4:3-4). The times of evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, in the cycle of deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim 3:13). Instead of doing what the Bible says, what we have is hatred for the tester and exposer, in their blind loyalty to man. This is one of the greatest causes of sin, error, heresy and apostasy creeping into and permeating churches. The correction that is desperately needed will not be received because reproof is not allowed in this context. False brethren abound and they hate, something nothing new to the apostles in Scripture. Pauls attitude towards false brethren is found in Gal 2:4-5,

"And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

False brethren shouldn't be subjected to even for an hour. Its a figure of speech. Paul meant, give them no time. Reprove them and reject them.

15. The Truly Saved Know They've Been Forgiven of All Their Sin, and Know They Have the Indwelling Witness of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture that speaks to full forgiveness and witness of the indwelling Spirit of God, include: Rom. 8:14-17; I Cor. 6:19; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Jn. 3:24; 4:13; 5:9-10; Gal. 4:6.

Lk 1:77,

"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,"

Specifically Scripture tells us that the forgiveness of sins is a manner of having assurance of our salvation. Many claim the name of Jesus (cf. Matt 7:21-23) but most have never actually been cleansed at all from their sin, which is an important element of assurance of salvation (Lk 1:77), hence the massive struggle with salvation assurance that such people can never attain to, finally relying on faith in faith, or faith in Biblical promises, subjective parameters absent from the pages of Scripture, the actual practical reality of the new birth being absent from their lives, the remission of sins they have never received, which the fakes, counterfeits, hypocrites, and the rest of the false professors cannot comprehend, though they have deceived themselves into a pseudo belief, either ignorantly or wilfully rebellious to the cost of true conversion, The Call to Discipleship is a Call to Salvation, which requires the cost of the sinners life, while opposed by the fleshly nature of the sinner (cf. Jn 3:19-21).

Those truly born again know they have the indwelling Spirit of God. They have the testimony of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn. 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”) The Holy Spirit, who dwells within all those born of God, witnesses to the saint of his new, forgiven state and produces a variety of fruits in the Christian’s life.

When a person is justified and regenerated in salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and saved from all his sin, including the penalty and power of sin, a wonderful event takes place. The Spirit of God enters his very body, there to reside and to guide his new life in Christ. Henceforth he is, whether he senses it or not, “in the Spirit.”

“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” (Rom. 8:9)

The believer’s body even becomes a temple in which the Spirit can reign over his life.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor 6:19-20)

In addition to leading us (through the Scriptures which He inspired and through the circumstances which He ordains), “The Spirit [Himself] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16). At salvation we have ALL of the Spirit that we will ever have (Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; Rom. 8:1-16; Eph. 1:13-14; 1 Cor. 2:9-14; 3:16; 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 1:22; etc).

The indwelling, comforting, leading, witnessing Spirit is not alone, for Jesus promised that, when the Comforter comes to “be in you,” then through the Spirit, “I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jn. 14:17, 20). Thus, we can “be filled with all the fulness of God” (Eph. 3:19).

Such a marvellous relationship will surely transform our lives. As we are exhorted: “If we live in the Spirit” we should certainly “walk in the Spirit.” The practical result is then obvious. “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16).

Romans 8 details the indwelling and effect of the Holy Spirit. Every believer has the Spirit of God living inside of him—people who do not have the Spirit do not belong to God (Rom 8:9; Ju. 1:19). The indwelling Spirit is a promise of eternal life and resurrection with the just (Rom 8:10-11). Those indwelt will characteristically reject fleshly, ungodly works by the Spirit’s power (Rom 8:12-13). The general course of their life is not one where the sinful nature is in control, but is one where the Holy Spirit is in control (Rom 8:14). The Spirit leads the children of God to the practice of genuine prayer (Rom 8:15; cf. Gal. 4:6). The child of God naturally seeks his Father in prayer in a manner unknown before conversion. Along with this, the Spirit testifies to the Christian’s spirit that he is born of God (Rom 8:16).

One truly born of God may have this testimony from the Holy Ghost greatly weakened if he falls into sin. If he grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), although His indwelling presence still remains, the comfort of the Holy Spirit will decrease, though He is always chastising. Indeed, the Spirit will make the disobedient saint miserable until he repents. The sinning Christian cannot expect to regain comfort and joy from the Spirit until he confesses his sin and returns to unhindered fellowship with God. Also, sometimes people claim that the Holy Spirit witnesses to them that they have been born again, but they lack the other marks of regeneration or otherwise plainly evidence that they are unconverted. Such people are self-deceived, and their false assurance comes either directly from the devil or from their own deluded minds. Nevertheless, the witness of God the Spirit in the heart of the child of God is an important evidence of salvation. Scripture affirms that those who have received Christ are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He leads them in the way of righteousness, leads them to pray in a manner they never knew before their conversion, and directly testifies to their spirit that they are indeed born of God.

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal. 4:6)

16. The Truly Saved are No Longer Ashamed of Christ.

Scripture that speaks to no more shame of Christ include: Is. 28:16; 45:15-17; 54:4; Rom. 1:16; 5:5; 10:11; 9:33; Heb. 2:11; 11:16.

It is true, the saved, like Paul, cannot be ashamed of the gospel. Have you ever considered that those who are ashamed of Christ might actually not be saved? It appears Scripture speaks to that, and that not being ashamed anymore is an evidence of true conversion. We see that in Paul's writings, in the book of Romans.

Did you know that you fulfill a prophecy when you are born again? Paul says that true conversion (Rom 10:9-10) results in fulfilling scripture of not being ashamed anymore:

“For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom 10:11)

The text comes immediately after the call to conversion, Rom 10:9-10, a prophetic fulfilment completed in conversion. Salvation fulfills prophectic scripture in that the repentant born again believer is no longer ashamed of Christ (Rom 10:11), confounded shame has been removed permanetly. This was a repeat of the same only a few verses back:

“As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” (Rom 9:33)

These passages are declaring that the truly saved person is never ashamed again, purged immediately at conversion. They appear to read as a fulfillment of Scripture, through the act of conversion.

Just where does Scripture prophecy this? In Isa 45:15-17; 54:4, and though these scriptures are addressing Israel, the principles of the text is applicable to all, in the same manner as Romans 10, in that the repentant sinner will no longer be ashamed of Christ after his or her new birth.

"Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end." (Isa 45:15-17)

"Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth,..." (Is 54:4)

By the new birth (Rom 10:9-10) they are never again ashamed of Christ, astoundingly fulfilling a prophetic text of Scripture applicable to every truly repentant sinner.

1 Pet. 2:6-7 contrasts the difference between the obedient and the disobedient. Clearly the former is saved while the latter is lost, with the removal of shame as an immediate evidence of salvation.

"Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded [shamed, dishonoured, disgraced]. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,"

Not being ashamed anymore of Christ happens at conversion and is an important evidence of conversion, for “hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5). The ejection of shame is frequently mentioned in the same context as the call to salvation (e.g. Lk. 9:23-26; 12:8-9; Mk 8:34-38; Matt 16:24-26). As the Lord stated in another passage:

“They shall not be ashamed that wait for me” (Isa 49:23)

Yet many that profess to be Christian are ashamed in indeed. They will not speak about Him to others, will not witness His gospel, will not defend His words, will not stand up for the truth, will do nothing that compromises their position before whosoever they happen to be. In Lk. 9:26 the Lord Jesus declared:

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”

Those who, rather than being ashamed of their sins and rebellion to God (Rom. 6:21; cf. Rom. 1:16; 2 Tim. 1:8, 12, 16), are ashamed to follow Christ and His Words in this evil and adulterous world will have Christ be ashamed of them at His coming and be damned—for Christ is “not ashamed to call [true believers] brethren” (Heb. 2:11), and “God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:16; Lk. 9:26). Just like God will never be “ashamed” of His people (Heb. 11:16), the saved are never ashamed of their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Rom 1:16; 5:5; 9:33; 10:9-11) for they love Him and have received the Spirit of God, and “hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Rom 5:5). Jesus Christ is the “chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded [ashamed]” (1 Pet 2:6) but to the unregenerate “believer” on the other hand, who is ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, to them He is “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (1 Pet. 2:4-8). 

Lk. 9:23-26; Matt 16:24-26 and Mk 8:34-38 clearly teach that one who is ashamed of Lord Jesus Christ and His words demonstrated by not bringing Him glory and speaking of Him everywhere to people and not acknowledging to man that all blessings and needs are met through Him alone (Ac. 17:28)—which things are as natural as breathing and an honour to those truly regenerated—Christ is ashamed of them and they will face an eternity in hell. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matt. 12:37).

17. The Truly Saved Respond Positively (Biblically) to Genuine Reproof, Rebuke and Admonishment.

Scripture that speaks to responding positively (Biblically) to reproof and rebuke include: Pr. 10:17; 12:1; 13:1, 8, 18; 15:5, 10, 31-32; 19:23; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rom. 15:16; Jam. 3:17-18.

Pr. 12:1,

“Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”

This again is a major mark of conversion that is very often overlooked because of the errors surrounding it (such as, it’s only a pastors job, or compromised believers refusing to reprove, or just simply not considering it as an evidence of salvation for whatever reason).

Every born again Christian must respond in a godly manner to reproof and rebuke. Why? Because

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

This is another area where God separates the sheep from the goats, that of receiving or rejecting reproof.

“The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise." (Pr. 15:31)

"A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool." (Pr. 17:10)

“Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” (Ps. 141:5)

“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” (Pr. 6:23)

“A wise son heareth his father's instruction:” for “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge:” (Pr. 13:1a; 12:1a). “But a scorner heareth not rebuke” because “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise” so “he that hateth reproof is brutish.” (Pr. 13:1b; 15:12; 12:1b). “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” (Pr. 13:18). “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.” (Pr. 15:10).

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Pr. 9:8-9). The true believer is wise and hears reproof. “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” (Pr. 15:31-33).

The false “believer” on the other hand is proud, lacks humility, and hates reproof. God’s Word says the fool hates reproof (Pr. 15:5a) and fools are most certainly lost! He despises it. Meaning he feels contempt and a deep repugnance for it. He doesn’t want to be corrected. But the prudent regard reproof (Pr. 15:5b). Those that don’t respond to Biblical reproof within the local church are to be treated as a lost person according to Matt 18:15-17 (as a heathen and publican, which inplicates a lost person, at least treated as such).

Every truly born again believer receives reproof and rebuke and admonishment (Rom. 15:14; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:2-4), since their “wisdom is from above” and “is first pure, then . . . easy to be intreated . . . without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (Jam. 3:17), and those that don’t are brutish (i.e. stupid), stiff necked, foolish and scorners thus very likely unsaved (Pr. 12:1; 13:1; 15:5, 10, 32; 17:10; 29:1). “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” (Jam. 3:14-15).

18. The Truly Saved are Not Pursued by Evil, they are Not Accursed.

Scripture that speaks to saints not pursued by evil include: Ps. 37:1-40; 41:2-3, 10-11; 91:1-16; 121:7-8; Pr. 11:19; 12:21; 13:21; 15:15, 19; 19:23; 22:5; Jn. 17:14-16; 2 Th. 3:3.

Pr. 13:21,

“Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.” 

Evil pursueth sinners, not the righteous.

“There shall no evil thing happen to the just” (Pr. 12:21a)

Goodness pursueth the righteous not the evil (the lost).

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” (Ps. 23:6)

"The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (2 Th. 3:3)

“Blessings are upon the head of the just:” (Pr. 10:6a)

“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Pr. 10:22)

“The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Ps. 121:7-8)

“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Ps. 91:9-11)

Pr. 19:23, “The fear of the Lord tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.”  Because saved people have “fear of the Lord” which led to “life” and abiding satisfaction, they are not “visited with evil.” (Pr. 19:23). The fear of the Lord starts before salvation (Ac. 13:26; Pr. 1:20-28) and necessary for salvation (Pr. 1:7, 29; Ac. 13:26; 1 Ch. 16:25; De. 8:6; 28:58) which is to life (Pr. 19:23; 8:35) and a departure from evil (Pr 19:23), for it is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Pr. 1:7; 9:10), for without fear of God sinners do not repent and flee from the wrath to come (Lk. 3:3-16; Matt. 10:28). Those that have it once and get saved, have it forever (they have life and fear of the Lord). They will not “be visited by evil” because they have life, they are under the favour of God. Evil only pursueth sinners (Pr. 13:21) which is all lost people. “Evil pursueth sinners” not saved people, “But to the righteous good shall be repayed.” (Pr. 13:21). This is God’s promise to His children,

“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” (2 Th. 3:3)

“There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.” (Pr. 12:21)

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.” (Pr. 22:4-5)

“Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” (Ps. 91:9-11)

False “believers” on the other hand are pursued by evil, their life is no different than any other lost person, full of “Thorns and snares” (Pr. 22:5), while “the way of the righteous is made plain [i.e. raised up, exalted].” (Pr. 15:19).

Preparing for a Nazi invasion of England, families built bomb shelters to live through the attack. During the Cold War, people in the United States built underground bunkers to survive a nuclear bomb. True Christians, genuine believers, live in a protective shelter of God’s grace, accepted in the Beloved, never left or forsaken. With the flurry of all that is around us today, everything is safe in Jesus Christ. We have a shelter, we have our bunker. We have a secure position. No one can pluck us out of the hand of either the Father or the Son. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. We are kept by the power of God. With whatever happens around us, we have our way through to the other side. He has gone to prepare a place for us and He will come again and receive us unto Himself. In a practical way, none of our labor is in vain in the Lord. That doesn’t mean that we will see a lot of people saved through our effort or our preaching, but God’s purpose will be fulfilled with whatever happens. We also know that we will conform to the image of the Son of God. We know that when we see Him we will be like Him, but even before that He will be conformed by God into Jesus Christ until that work is consummated in our ultimate glorification. We may not see earthly success, but it is temporal anyway and will be forgotten. The key to joy is to live in the realm or reality of the protective shelter of Christ. We think about it, live like it is true, and we have joy. We have joy knowing that God has guaranteed our future and no evil shall happen to the just. “For whoso findeth me [the Lord Jesus Christ] findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.” (Pr. 8:35).

19. The Truly Saved are Chastened of God.

Scripture that speaks to divine chastisement include: De. 8:5-6; Heb. 12:5-11; Pr. 3:11-12; Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12-14; 118:18; 1 Cor. 11:31-32; Rev. 3:19

The saved person can and does sin (1 Jn. 1:8–2:2), but he does not do so without compunction as before salvation. He has an indwelling Divine Disciplinarian who does not let him get away with it. There is even a sin unto death for those who harden themselves against God's discipline (1 Jn. 5:16-17; Pr 15:10; 1 Cor. 11:29-32). King David almost committed this sin, but avoided it by repentance (2 Sam 12:13); likewise some of the Corinthian believers (1 Cor. 5:1-5, 12-13; 2 Cor. 2:1-5; 7:10) but Annias and Sapphira did not (Ac 5). The chastisement is first of all from within (Eph 4:30). The saved person will have a sensitivity to sin and a conviction about sin.

When the children of God sin or disobey His Word, He chastens them in love (De. 8:5; Job 5:17; Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-11; 1 Cor. 11:27-32).

The LORD speaking through Moses said,

“Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.” (De. 8:5-6)

We read the same at the hand of Solomon in Pr 3:11-12,

"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."

Repeated in Heb 12:5-11,

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened usafter their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that wemight be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

The same theme runs throughout Scripture. God only chastens His sons (De. 8:5-6; Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-11) and He does so out of love for them. He doesn’t chasten bastards, He destroys them, like He was going to do to the children of Israel, minus Moses, during the Exodus. Truly saved people are under the chastening hand of God’s love (Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-11) that they “shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him” (De. 8:6) which are critical evidences of salvation.

There are many examples in Scripture of this. The unrepentant Corinthians in 1 Cor 11:27-32 were chastened with sickness and death, Annias and Saphira in Acts 5 chastened with death for lying to the Holy Ghost after given opportunity to recant their lies, King David after sinning with Bathsheba (his life was spared but suffered great consequences with his family, but David knew of this importance in Psalm 23, that “thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” v. 4), Apostle Peter in Gal 2:11-14 by the Apostle Paul before the church, and Peter again in Lk 22:60-62, Zacharias the father of John the Baptist in Lk. 1:18-20, etc.

How about Ananias and Sapphira, whom God killed for lying to the Holy Spirit? They never stopped believing in the Lord. That is why they were chastised. Those whom God chastises are His sons (Heb 12). He chastises them because they are saved; they are His children and not bastards. He chastises them because they are overcomers. God's killing of Ananias and Sapphira was because they were justified. They didn't stop believing in Him. They sinned against Him and He did kill them for it. Chastisement is part of God's sanctification process for believers. God didn't kill Ananias and Sapphira because they had not overcome. He killed them because they had. Ultimate sanctification or glorification occurs when someone is killed by God. That person immediately becomes like Him (1 Jn 3:1-3), like we all will when we see Him face to face.

20. The Truly Saved are Hated by the World and Persecuted for being Christian; Suffering and Enduring Trials for Christ.

Scripture that speaks to being hated by the world and persecuted for being a Christian include: De. 13:3-4; Ps. 7:9; Matt. 5:10-12; Jn. 15:18-20; 16:1-4, 33; 17:14-18; 2 Tim. 3:12; Rev. 12:17.

The fact of this is so evident and clear for it’s the devil who is behind it (hence why we fight “not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” Eph. 6:12) and he influences people to hate us and persecute us and kill us (Rev. 12:17), because he can’t touch us (1 Jn. 5:19).

Rev. 12:17,

“And the dragon [“the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world” v. 9] was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Every born again believer has the testimony of Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 1:6) and keeps the Word of God, obeys the commandments of God (1 Jn. 2:3-5; Jn. 14:15-24; Rev. 22:14; etc) and thus persecuted.

The false “believer” is offended at Jesus Christ when persecuted, i.e., the stony soil (Matt. 13:20-21). When a professing Christian refuses to suffer for the cause of Christ, for His sake and the gospels sake, he or she is failing God's proof test of faith, reflected in the stony soil of the parable of the sower and the seed. It is reflective of an an unregenerate nature. Matt 13:20-21,

"But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

Saved people on the other hand understand God's promise:

"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (2 Tim 3:12)

They are not offended by Christ or His Word:

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Ps. 119:165)

The saved rejoice when they are considered worthy to suffer shame for His name:

"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Lk 6:22-23)

Conclusion

The twenty points above reveal whether a professor of Christ is indeed born again, or a fake. The evidence of justification should convey assurance of ones salvation, or, on the other hand, judge a false profession.

If you examine yourself and are not sure if you are truly saved, it will not do you any good to ask Jesus into your heart one more time or pray anoyther prayer. Instead, consider the following. You must be willing to accept and act on the truth, whatever it is. The Lord Jesus revealed the truth to those willing to receive it but hid the truth from those who were not willing to receive and act on it (Jn 7:17; 12:38-40). The answer will be found in the Word of God, for the Word is what the Holy Spirit uses to create and confirm faith (Rom 10:17; Eph 6:17). Pray that God will show you the truth in His Word (Ps 25:4; 86:11) and separate from all religious organizations that corrupt the gospel (2 Cor 6:14-7:1; Gal 1:6-9; 2 Jn 1:9-11). Instead diligently read here as to How A Sinner Can Be Saved and Have Eternal Life. Do not stop seeking (Lk 13:24) until you find the truth and either get full assurance from the Spirit through the Word that you are indeed a child of God, or the Lord shows you that you are still lost—and if the Lord shows you that you are lost, immediately repent and believe the gospel: “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor 6:2).