Series: Things That Accompany Salvation
Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
Message 15: Sixteen Signs of a True Believer (Summary)
(2 Cor. 5:14; 13:5)
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
• “Examine” - peirazo = to test, to scrutinize.
• We are to examine our faith.
• But with what are we to test it?
• We are to examine ourselves by the revealed word of God.
• 28 times in 23 verses John tells us that we can “KNOW” that we are saved!
• We cannot afford to ignore what John, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is telling us!
• There is the danger that we may be “reprobates.”
“reprobate” - to be tested by God and rejected as unapproved, found to be worthless and cast away.
ILLUS: These are the gauges on the dash of your life!
NOTE: These tests are not for you to judge your fellow church member’s salvation. They are to be applied by each person to himself!
1. The Companionship Test:
Do I demonstrate that I love the fellowship of the Father, the Son and the Saints?
1 John 1:1-4 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
• Truly born again people want to be with other born again people.
• When people quit the church for a frivolous reason or for no stated reason, you can bet that there is a hidden reason.
• A born again person simply cannot ignore the family of God!
2. The Comfort Test:
Am I sensitive to sin?
1 John 1:5-8 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
• If you can sin and not feel conviction, you may not be born again.
• The sin of forsaking God’s house, forgetting God’s tithe, floundering on God’s work, fighting God’s people, frolicking against God’s laws!
• If you can do this, and feel no remorse, then you may not be a child of God.
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards [illegitimate children], and not sons.
3. The Cleansing Test:
Have I experienced and accepted the forgiveness of God?
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
• How have you done in the cleansing sin?
• Have you experienced God’s forgiveness and moved on from your guilt.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.
• Confession is not praying a lovely prayer, or making pious excuses, or trying to impress God and other Christians.
• True confession is naming sin—calling it by name what God calls it: envy, hatred, lust, deceit, or whatever it may be.
• Confession simply means being honest with ourselves and with God, and if others are involved, being honest with them too.
• It is more than admitting sin. It means judging sin and facing it squarely. (BEC)
4. The Commandments Test:
Am I keeping God’s commandments?
1 John 2:3-6 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
• A man can SAY anything.
• It is another thing to BE what you say.
• God calls a man who says “I am of God” but does not live according to God’s law a “liar.”
Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
5. The Conformity Test:
Does my life conform to the will of God?
1 John 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. 16 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
• The world pushes sensuality (lust of the flesh), materialism (lust of the eyes), and egotism (the pride of life)
• God’s will is purity, contentment and humility.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
6. The Conduct Test:
Am I doing righteousness?
1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
• When we see one that is consistently practicing righteousness, we may be assured that this person is born of God!
• Note that the focus is not upon knowing if YOU are saved.
• The focus is upon our observation of others!
• The righteousness is not buying cookies and holding the door for little ladies.
• It is doing "right" according to the standards of the Word of God.
• It is Bible reading, praying, tithing, church attendance, love for the brethren, etc.
• You say, Preacher, how can you say that?
• I’m not, the Word is!
Matthew 7:16,17 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7. The Coming Test:
Am I showing that I am looking forward to the coming of Christ by living in such a way that I would not be embarrassed by His coming?
1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
• If you have not desire to be conformed to Christ, then you are not a Christian!
• I have preached to alcoholics at the rescue mission that had to listen to me to get a meal.
• There was no interest, and it was obvious.
• I don’t hold out much hope of salvation.
• However, I have seen that same look on the faces of students in Christian schools and members of Baptist churches.
So, am I looking forward to the Coming of Christ?
Luke 12:39-40 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
8. The Conquering Test:
Am I winning the battle over habitual sin?
1 John 3:4-9 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
• Preacher, If you don’t quit preaching so hard I’ll find me another church.
• I am fully aware that you are discussing a real possibility.
• You will not be the first to say it, you will not be the first to do it.
• But what you had better beware of is that you are being deceived!
• John states the facts.
• There is no writer of Scripture with more love than John, the beloved apostle.
• It is not a mark of love to hide the truth.
• One who tells the truth is not necessarily lacking in love!
2 John 1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
• And here is the truth: If you delight in habitual sin, then ...
1) You haven’t seen God.
2) You don’t know God.
3) You are of your Father the devil!
9. The Charity Test:
Am I demonstrating by my actions and attitude a genuine love for my brothers and sisters in Christ?
1 John 3:10-19 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. 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 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. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 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. 17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
• John says it plainly: If you do not love your brethren, you are “not of God.” (vs. 10)
• We are told not to be like Cain who slew his brother.
• He hated his brother because Abel was right with God, and Cain could not stand it.
• We should not be surprised if the world hate us.
• We show them up for what they are: the children of the Devil.
• But we ought to be surprised if the church people hate us.
• Sometimes we just don’t like someone.
• But we know down deep that we are SUPPOSED to love others.
• So to reconcile our thoughts we FAKE it.
• God says that this is not acceptable.
• We are not to love in word but in DEED.
• It is the test of your faith.
• Do you love the brethren?
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
10. The Conscience Test:
Am I free from the plague of moral guilt?
1 John 3:20-21 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
1 Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
• No one can endure the plague of guilt.
• God has provided that we might be free.
• A sign of a true believer is that he has been freed from guilt.
• In order for this to be true, we must first use “The Cleansing Test.” (#3 above)
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
• Are my sins forgiven, is my guilt gone away?
11. The Communication Test:
Have I experienced true answers to prayer?
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
• A true child of God will have the evidence of answered prayer.
• He will enjoy this privilege because he pleases his Heavenly Father.
• And he pleases his Heavenly Father because he keeps His commandments.
• God’s children will experience answered prayer!
• There are dozens of things that can hinder the prayers of a believer at times.
• But for the lost man or woman, there is no answer to prayer!
12. The Counselor Test:
Do I show evidence that the Holy Spirit is present in my life?
1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
• From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit is vital.
• He convicts us, woos us, shows us the way to God.
• He quickens us, enabling us to have faith.
• He seals us.
• He intercedes for us.
• He empowers us for the Christian life.
• A born again child of God will have the evidence that the Holy Spirit controls his life.
• We may go on in the power of the flesh for a while, but that will come to an end.
• Lasting results come from a walk in the Spirit of the living God!
13. The Compatibility Test:
Have I heard the Word of God in the messages of men?
1 John 4:6 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.
ILLUS: King Jehoiakim sent Jehudi who took his penknife to the word of God and burned its pages in the fire. You may not physically throw a Bible into the fire. But you can do so in attitude.
• I told you the story of the man that said, “I may never join another church.”
• Some fall into sin and will not come to church because they feel convicted.
• Some have a chip on their shoulder and will not come.
• Some have been truly hurt by some believer, and will not come.
• But if you are a true believer, you will find someone to feed you with the Word!
• A true believer simply cannot sever himself from a regular diet of preaching!
14. The Constraint Test:
Do I love God?
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
• Christianity has a value system, but Christianity is not a value system.
• Christianity is a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ.
• True believers love God.
• It shows in the way that they treat one another.
• It shows in their deep desire to fellowship with God’s people.
• It shows in their desire to read the Word.
• It shows in their fellowship with God in prayer.
• Christianity is not a social system, it is LOVE for God!
15. The Confession Test:
Do I believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 4:14-15 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
1 John 5:1 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.
• Christ is the first part of Christianity.
• To be a Christian is to be a little Christ.
• We are not simple believers in intelligent design, or theism.
• We know God in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.
ILLUS: I hear people say, “He believes in God.” If he has not confessed Christ as his Lord and Savior, he will spend eternity in the place the Bible calls Hell. It was not meant for him, it was meant for Satan and his workers. But it is where he will go!
16. The Conviction Test:
Do I believe God’s record? (1 John 5:10-11)
1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
• True men and women of faith have no trouble believing the Bible!
The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me,
I stand alone on the Word of God, The B-I-B-L-E!
CONCLUSION:
• 28 times in 23 verses John tells us that we can “KNOW” that we are saved!
• John, the aged apostle, and human author of this epistle, wrote in his gospel:
John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
APPLY: So after all of that, do you know? Can you sing, “Blessed Assurance”?
