Assurance

This leads us to a very important question.  How do you know if you have been regenerated and born again?  Do you have the assurance of your decision?  Please know that the Holy Spirit offers assurance (Romans 8:16) “the Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.  The Bible has the answer and encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Check the following.  Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people—fellowship with other Christians (1 John 1:3).  Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in darkness (1 John 1:6-7).  Do you admit and confess your sin—do you have a contrite heart (1 John 1:8).  Are you obedient to God’s Word—involved in prayer and the Word of God (1 John 2:3-5).  Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world (1 John 2:15).  Is your life characterized by “doing what is right” (1 John 2:29).  Do you seek to maintain a pure life (1 John 3:3).  Do you bear fruit and put your faith into action—the outworking of one’s faith reveals one’s salvation status (James 2:17).  Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life—you attempt and overcome sin but know that we are born sinners (1 John 5:4, 1 John 3:5-6).  Do you demonstrate love for other Christians (1 John 2:10, 1 John3:14).  Do you “walk the walk” versus just “talking the talk” (1 John 3:18-19).  Do you maintain a clear conscience (1 John 3:21).  Do you experience victory in your Christian walk (1 John 5:4).  Do you have a hopeful anticipation of being with Christ (Phil 1:21).  Do you make decisions in life according to God’s will—either from scripture or simply following His direct commands (1 John 2:3).  Are you developing Christ-like characteristics in your walk with God—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, knowledge, and Godliness (Gal 5:22-23).

How did you do with this series of questions as you search your own heart?  Remember that no one will perfectly fulfill all of them all the time, but they should reveal a consistent trend that characterized our lives as we grow in grace.

This leads us to a very important question.  How do you know if you have been regenerated and born again?  Do you have the assurance of your decision?  Please know that the Holy Spirit offers assurance (Romans 8:16) “the Holy Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.  The Bible has the answer and encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Check the following.  Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people—fellowship with other Christians (1 John 1:3).  Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in darkness (1 John 1:6-7).  Do you admit and confess your sin—do you have a contrite heart (1 John 1:8).  Are you obedient to God’s Word—involved in prayer and the Word of God (1 John 2:3-5).  Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world (1 John 2:15).  Is your life characterized by “doing what is right” (1 John 2:29).  Do you seek to maintain a pure life (1 John 3:3).  Do you bear fruit and put your faith into action—the outworking of one’s faith reveals one’s salvation status (James 2:17).  Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life—you attempt and overcome sin but know that we are born sinners (1 John 5:4, 1 John 3:5-6).  Do you demonstrate love for other Christians (1 John 2:10, 1 John3:14).  Do you “walk the walk” versus just “talking the talk” (1 John 3:18-19).  Do you maintain a clear conscience (1 John 3:21).  Do you experience victory in your Christian walk (1 John 5:4).  Do you have a hopeful anticipation of being with Christ (Phil 1:21).  Do you make decisions in life according to God’s will—either from scripture or simply following His direct commands (1 John 2:3).  Are you developing Christ-like characteristics in your walk with God—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, knowledge, and Godliness (Gal 5:22-23).

How did you do with this series of questions as you search your own heart?  Remember that no one will perfectly fulfill all of them all the time, but they should reveal a consistent trend that characterized our lives as we grow in grace.