DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE THAT YOU ARE SAVED?

John Wesley was once asked "Why do you preach so much on Ye must be born again"? Wesley's answer was that "Because ye must be born again". Since men must be born again, why are we not preaching and teaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ from the pulpits of our Baptist Churches. Many times when churches claim that they preach the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ from their pulpits they are preaching another gospel that is NOT the saving gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as it is contained in our 1611 King James Bible. In churches where they do preach a scriptural doctrine of the saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, they do not preach it often enough. There is a dearth in the land of not only preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, but also of hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The reason that I know that a scriptural doctrine of salvation is not being proclaimed from our pulpits is that our Baptist Churches are full of unbelieving, unregenerate reprobates that are lost and dying and on their way to HELL. Another reason that I know that a scriptural doctrine of salvation is not being preached from our pulpits is that there is no power in most of our Baptist churches even in so called Independent, Fundamental Baptist Churches. They are grave yard dead. WHY? Because they are whited sepulchres full of dead men's bones! Still yet another reason that I know that a scriptural doctrine of salvation is not being preached from our pulpits is that our churches are full of rebels that are in open rebellion against everything that is Godly. They have thrown out the Bible in favor of the doctrines of the psychos of the self-esteem dream (false gospel). The early church in the book of Acts had the power of God upon because it was full of saved and separated church members. There is no reason why the church of today cannot have that same power. It is the same Lord Jesus Christ and the same Holy Ghost that are saving and empowering people today. Most people today do not have a biblical understanding of salvation. Salvation is more than a sinner's prayer. One, two, three repeat after me are the first three steps into HELL. To assure someone of salvation after having prayed a sinner's prayer is to usurp the authority and ministry of the Holy Ghost of God. It is the Holy Ghost of God that gives the assurance of salvation and not man.

The following short paragraphs give definitions of conviction, repentance, faith, belief, salvation, and confession followed by a scriptural presentation of what the words mean. The information that follows these short definitions give a Biblical presentation of the gospel. Please understand that the material that follows is not intended to imply that there is a process or timeline to salvation. Salvation is of the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone and is instantaneous.

Conviction - for the lost sinner is coming to the realization that they are a sinner in the eyes of God. Conviction for the saved sinner is that feeling that somehow things just are not right between the Christian and God.

Repentance - From the Way Of Life Encyclopedia (David Cloud) page 386 we quote the following definition:

Repentance means more than sorrow or regret or despair or grief; Bible repentance means a change of mind towards God that results in a change of life.

That is a good basic definition, but please note the author does not mean that a change of life means a reformation of an outward nature. It is something that takes place in the heart of the believer that permanently changes the relationship between God and the believer. It is a change that results in reconciliation of the sinner to God. For lost sinners, faith and repentance create and everlasting relationship that cannot be annuled because it is in the fullest sense of the word an adoption by God into the family of God. Both legally and by definition adoption creates a relationship that cannot be broken by disowning the child. The adoption also refers to the redemption of the body at the rapture. For saved sinners repentance restores fellowship. In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 we see the nature of true repentance and 2 Corinthians 5:14-19 we see the results, or end state, of repentance. Repentance always comes after conviction. Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation.

Faith - In the words of Pastor Robert Sargent faith is: "Forgetting All Impossibilities Trusting Him". There are probably many definitions of faith that we could give. In the Bible, faith is always a word that relates to action. Faith is the wellspring of our belief. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Note that faith is evidenced by substance. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Faith is also related to impossibilities. It is impossible to touch faith, but it is possible to see faith's results just as it is impossible to see the Holy Spirit, but it is possible to see the results of a Spirit filled Christian exercising faith that is the result of yielding to the Holy Spirit. It is also impossible to please God without faith.

Regeneration - The term regeneration means to be reborn spiritually of the Holy Spirit. It is sometimes referred to as being "born again" or to be "born from above". The result of regeneration is spiritual renewal by the Holy Spirit unto a new life. It is this regeneration and the resulting indwelling of the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to live sanctified and holy lives. Regeneration is best described in John 3:3-8 and briefly in Titus 3:5. Those Scriptures and regeneration will be discussed in conjunction with salvation.

Salvation - Put simply, salvation is the redemption from the penalty of sin through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though salvation is sometimes referred to as a process (see below), for the believer salvation comes the moment they turn from their sin to God. It is a process only in the sense that God has established the plan (or the process) through which salvation takes place.

Confession - is an action that takes place with the mouth. Once we are convicted of our sin, come to repentance in our hearts, and exercise faith unto salvation, we are to confess our sin of unbelief before God and man.

CONVICTION

Conviction is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that convicts , or reproves, a lost sinner or the sinning Christian. Conviction leads the lost sinner to that knowledge that they are a sinner in the eyes of God and that they are on the way to hell (judgement). THERE CAN BE NO SALVATION WITHOUT THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY GHOST. Conviction also comes upon the Christian because of sin. Sin in the life of the Christian manifests itself in many ways including obvious acts such as lying, cheating, backbiting, gossiping, creating strife, having a combative nature, stealing, assaulting, getting drunk, speeding, etc. These are the doing acts. Christians also sin by a lack of commitment, being out of the will of God in Christian service, not tithing, not helping a Christian brother in need, etc. These are the not doing acts. If we can say that action (doing) speaks louder than words, then we can also say that not doing also speaks louder than words

Regardless of whether the sin involves the believer or the unbeliever, conviction is the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that taps you on the shoulder every time you do something wrong or do not do something you should have. This ministry of the Holy Spirit is best described in John 16:7-11:

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

It is conviction that leads to repentance. Repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation of the lost and for the Christian to maintain or restore fellowship with God.

REPENTANCE

Confession says, "I have sinned". Repentance says "I am going to turn from that sin with the help of the Holy Spirit". The following quote is from the Tyndale English Bible of 1534:

"Concerning this word REPENTANCE ... the very sense and signification both of the Hebrew and also of the Greek word is, "to be converted and to turn to God with all the heart, to know his will, and to live according to his laws; and to be cured of our corrupt nature with the oil of his Spirit, and wine of obedience to his doctrine." Which conversion or turning, if it be unfeigned, these four do accompany it and are included therein: CONFESSION, not in the priest?s ear, for that is but man's invention, but to God in the heart, and before all the congregation of God; how that we be sinners and sinful, and that our whole nature is corrupt, and inclined to sin and all unrighteousness, and therefore evil, wicked, and damnable; and his Law holy and just, by which our sinful nature is rebuked: and also to our neighbors, if we have offended any person particularly. Then CONTRITION, sorrowfulness that we be such damnable sinners, and not only have sinned, but are wholly inclined to sin still. Thirdly, FAITH (of which our old doctors have made no mention at all in the description of their penance), that God for Christ?s sake doth forgive us, and receive us to mercy, and is at one with us, and will heal our corrupt nature. And fourthly, SATISFACTION, or amends-making, not to God with holy works, but to my neighbor whom I have hurt, and to the congregation of God, whom I have offended, (if any open crime be found in me); and submitting of a man?s self unto the congregation or church of Christ, and to the officers of the same, to have his life corrected and governed henceforth of them" (William Tyndale, 'To The Reader," 1534).

We have already stated that repentance is a turning from sin and a turning to God. If we had to set an order of events leading to salvation, we could always list conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit as the first event. We can also ask the question of what comes first after conviction; repentance or faith? The reality of the matter is that they cannot be separated. One is like the brain. One is like the heart. If either one is not operative, the other cannot bring about salvation. There can be no salvation without repentance. There can be no salvation without faith. From page 405 of the Landmarks Of Baptist Doctrine we have the statement: "True repentance leads to a changed life thus being seen synonymous with conversion". God will not accept those professors who will not repent. Christ Himself said twice in Luke 13:3-5

Luke 13:3-5

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

We have again in 2 Peter 3:9:

2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Again the warning is that if we do not repent we will perish. I warn you again that it is not every professor of salvation that is the possessor of salvation. Again we have the words of Christ in Matthew 7:21-23:

Matthew 7:21-23

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. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Those that work iniquity are those that have not repented and turned toward God. They have instead trusted in their good works before man.

Repentance always expresses itself in an inward godly sorrow for the sins that we have committed against God In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 we see the nature of genuine repentance and in 2 Corinthians 5:14-19 we see the results, or end state, of repentance. The end result is reconciliation with God.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

2 Corinthians 5:14-19

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Repentance is not having a great fear of God's anger. Repentance is not feeling despair or remorse. Repentance is Godly sorrow. Remorse is worldly sorrow. Both Esau and Judas Iscariot expressed a worldly sorrow for their actions, but neither repented. Therefore neither one was forgiven. Repentance results in God's forgiveness. We see in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

Chronicles 7:14

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

One final point: confession is a single isolated action where repentance is a Godly mindset that results in continuing action that honors God. A very short partial list of other Scriptures dealing with repentance would include Mark 1:4, Matthew 21:28-32, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, Acts 26:16-20, and Psalm 51 (to be discussed later in relation to joy and fellowship).

FAITH

A Biblical definition of faith is contained in Hebrews 11:1:

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I remind you of the words of Robert Sargent above, FAITH is Forgetting All Impossibilities Trusting Him". Faith is believing God's Word and acting on it. As James said in James 2:19-20

James 2:19-20

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

In other words, faith without action is dead. Faith springs from a seed. The seed is the word of God. The water that germinates the seed is the Word of God. Faith is not belief in the existence of God or of the Lord Jesus Christ for even the devils believe. Faith is not foolishness. It is not a blind leap or a jump in the dark. It has substance (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not feelings. It is not having an emotional experience. Feelings and emotions come and go depending upon what side of the bed you get up on, who you are looking at, or how you feel physically. You do not have to first feel something to have God save you. God operates according to His will and not our feelings and praise God for it! That is not to say that there will not be some feeling to come out of it, but our feelings are not the foundation for faith. God's word is the foundation for our faith. God's plan of salvation proceeds from facts to faith to feelings.

We see four faces of faith in the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-8:

Matthew 13:3-8

3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

Christ goes on latter in this parable to explain its meaning to the Apostles. In the four we have: (1) The seed that feel by the wayside, who represents the unbeliever; that one that has no faith. (2) The seed that feel on stony ground portrays the false professor that has no place for his faith to take root. Therefore, it was not faith in reality. (3) The seed that fell among the thorns represented the believer who became entangled in the cares of this world. He was the believer that put God second place. He laid his treasures up on earth. He let the thorns of this earthly life choke out his joy and peace. (4) The seed that feel on good ground represents the fruitful Christian. It was a faith where God was the priority. This was the faith of the worshiping Christian, the Bible reading and studying Christian, the praying Christian, the witnessing Christian, the church attending Christian, the tithing Christian, the sanctified and separated Christian, but most of all the victorious and rejoicing Christian; the Christian that is rejoicing in and praising the Lord of Lords And King of Kings.

Without faith it is impossible to be saved. Hence we have the Scripture in Ephesians 2:8-9:

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation is that ultimate gift that you pull from the tree of eternal life. A gift is not a gift until it is received. You must take possession of that gift for it to be effective for you. For a Christian (the just) to please God, they must live by faith.

Romans 1:17

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

How much faith does it take to live a victorious Christian life? Little is much when God is in it! We have the promise of Christ in:

Matthew 17:19-20

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

SALVATION

There are five basic approaches to salvation. (1) A works based salvation where you can never be sure of your salvation (Catholics) or it is grace plus works salvation (Anglicans, Episcopalians, Orthodox, Lutherans, Seventh Day Adventists). (2) A works based salvation where you can lose it which means you can never be sure you have it (Pentecostals, Holiness Churches, Church Of The Nazarene, Church Of Christ, Church Of God, Methodists) It is a salvation that rests in the ability of a man to get resaved, or saved again and again. It places no value on repentance, but much faith in confession. It has no faith in the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ or the keeping power of the Holy Spirit. (3) Universalism where everyone is saved which includes such groups as the Mormons, the Unitarians, and ultimately the one world church as mothered by the Catholic Church (the word catholic means universal). It says "I'm okay. You're okay". It includes every religion under the sun other than Bible believing Christians . (4) Calvinism which excludes the whosoever wills that are bid to come by Christ. They have given God a quota as to how many can be saved. They sit in the high seats of theology. They dogmatically reject the doctrine of free will as it relates to a lost sinners ability to come to God of their own free will. They put an overemphasis on the sovereignty of God at the expense of God's love in saving all lost sinners. The problem is that they forget that God's sovereignty extends not only to the things that he demands of us, but also to those things that he allows us to do and to have. That includes the free will to choose whether we will accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Calvinism presents a gospel of no hope if you are not one of the elect. In Calvinism, you can never be sure that you are one of the elect and neither can you be sure that you are not one of the elect. Calvinists include Presbyterians, Sovereign Grace Baptists, Reformed Baptist, Primitive Baptists, and generally other churches with the reformed label. (5) A by grace through faith and not by works salvation that is eternally secure. This is the path to salvation that should be preached in any Bible believing, unaffiliated (independent) Baptist Church. It is God's plan of salvation that in no way interferes with, or lessens, the sovereignty of God

What is salvation? Salvation means deliverance and preservation. The theological definition of salvation states that "salvation denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all which would prevent his attaining the highest good that God has prepared for him". The term "process" is not to state that the salvation of a believer takes place over a period of time. Salvation is as instantaneous as the blink of an eye. It is a process in the sense that it involves the ministry of Father, the Son (Lord Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. It is the Father that does the drawing of the sinner. In John 6:44 we read:

John 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

It is the Holy Spirit that makes the sinner aware of the sin of unbelief, of God's standard of righteousness, and of the coming judgement. In John 16:7-11 we hear:

John 16:7-11

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

REGENERATION

The ministry of the Holy Ghost in the unbeliever is that of conviction and regeneration. REGENERATION ALWAYS FOLLOWS FAITH. Any doctrine that reverses that order reverses the order that is given in the scriptures. Another way of putting it is that regeneration without faith is impossible. Regeneration is defined as "the gracious 'quickening' work of the Holy Spirit whereby He imparts the divine nature and life to the spirit of man" (Landmarks of Baptist Doctrine Book III, Pastor Robert Sargent) Regeneration is what is implied when we use the term "born again". This phrase comes from John 3:3-8:

John 3:3-8

3 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. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 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.

The word "again" in John 3:3 means to be reborn of the Spirit of God (verses 5-6). We see that the Holy Ghost washes in Titus 3:5-6:

Titus 3:5-6

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

The Lord Jesus Christ made possible the salvation of the sinner through his blood atonement on the cross of Calvary. It is through His sacrifice that reconciliation between man and God is made possible. It is through being washed in the blood that we are regenerated. We read in Romans 5:6-11:

Romans 5:6-11

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

CONFESSION

Confession is an action that takes place with the mouth. Once we are convicted of our sin, come to repentance in our hearts, and exercise faith unto salvation, we are to confess our sin of unbelief before God and man. The Holy Ghost puts it in the best possible terms in Romans 10:8-13 where we see:

Romans 10:8-13

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Confession is a necessary part of salvation. I quote first of all the words of Christ Himself in Matthew followed by the words of Paul in Romans:

Matthew 10:32-33

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Romans 10:10

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

As important as repentance and confession are to salvation of the unbeliever, we must not forget their importance to the Christian. Repentance and confession are absolutely necessary for the believer to maintain fellowship with the Father. The relationship between fellowship, sin, and confession are seen together in 1 John 1:6-9:

1 John 1:6-9

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. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We, as Baptists, do not believe that you can lose your salvation. It is not your salvation to begin with. Our salvation is given through God, is sealed by the Holy Ghost, and is in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not your salvation to lose. Many times when we sin we break fellowship with God and may "feel" that we have lost "our" salvation. It is not about feelings. Feelings come and go, but the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are for eternity. Christ meant it when he said in John 19:30 "It is finished".

Thus far, in this study, we have proved from the Bible that salvation cannot come to the lost sinner without the conviction of the Holy Ghost. That means that the lost sinner cannot choose their time of salvation unless they are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit (Ghost). We have also proved from the Bible that salvation cannot come to the lost sinner without repentance and without faith. The Bible also teaches that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). We have seen that we are reborn through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8 and Titus 3:5). Salvation does not have to be an emotional experience, but many times it is for individuals. Some people cry; some people laugh; some people shout; and some people show no emotion. The key is that regardless of the presence or absence of an emotional experience that there will be a definite change in the life(style) of an individual that comes to salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17). If there is no change, there is no salvation. Salvation proceeds from facts to faith to feelings.

There are four evidences of salvation and five birthmarks of a believer.

The four evidences of salvation are:

(1) a new relationship with and a new attitude toward God

(2) a love for God's Word

(3) a love for and a desire to be with God's people

(4) a love for God's ways.

The five birthmarks of a believer are:

(1) Obedience: 1 John 2:3-6

(2) Love: 1 John 3:14-19

(3) Truth: 1 John 4:1-6

(4) The Witness of the Holy Spirit: 1 John 4:13

(5) The Witness Within: 1 John 5:9-13

Examine yourself in the light of the word of God. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace (Helen H. Lemmel from the hymn "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus").

DO YOU HAVE THESE EVIDENCES AND BIRTHMARKS OF A BELIEVER IN YOUR LIFE?

ARE YOU SAVED?