“Speaking the Truth in Love” (Part Two)
Key Words from Part One: Sin, Repent, Death, Believe, Blood, Sacrifice, Resurrection, Forgiveness, Salvation, Judgment
Do you (how do you) know that you are truly born-again in Christ?
In other words, are you a Christian as the Bible defines it? It is a simple question, but you would be surprised how many people say yes and have no idea what that means and life looks like (or should) on the other side of the Cross of Christ for those who are truly born-again.
Today I am going to speak straight from the Word of God to help you answer this question—the only one that matters; the most important question you will ever answer. It is also the most important question you can, and perhaps must, ask those you love. To do so is the ultimate expression of your love for them because salvation thru Christ alone is God’s ultimate expression for you and me. Not asking is often a result of one of these reasons:
- Could be that you never thought of this as love.
- Perhaps more you are afraid to approach the subject. Been there as well.
- Many Christians seldom consider the eternal consequences of their answer. They believe in Heaven but do not REALLY believe in hell. They are too heavily influenced by their culture (controlled by Satan by the way). Or they are ignorant of what Jesus taught. To say you do not believe in hell is to call Jesus a liar and seriously question your salvation. In fact, it indicts you altogether.
Last week I remined you of the biblical history of how we got in this mess (sin) and the only path God provides to reconciliation to Himself. The key words above outline that and the message in full, in three formats, is posted on our website, with the video also on YouTube and audio version on our Anchor podcast. Now let’s examine some key verses that help you answer this question—confirm or expose. That is ultimately between the Holy Spirit and yours.
- What true repentance looks and feels like. “For sorrowthat is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
The Bottom Line: No true repentance = No Salvation
- Clear Choices Demonstrate Clear Evidence of the Truth in Our Lives
And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who remains in Him sins continually; no one who sins continually has seen Him or know Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who has been born of God practices sin, because His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin continually…By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God…” 1 John 3: 3-10
- Self-examination to see if we are truly born-again. Are you living in sin?
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
- Evidence of true salvation according to Jesus. Fruit bearing, pruning, and hell
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:19
- Testifying
Therefore, everyone who confesses Me before people, I will also confess [y]him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10: 32-33
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” 1 Peter 2:9
- The Truth about hell according to Jesus. He spoke more about this and Satan than any other subject other than the kingdom of Heaven.
And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed, than, having your two hands, than to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire…thrown into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT EXTINGUISHED. Excerpted from Mark 9: 43-48
- His final warning to those who think they are born-again but are not.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ Matthew 7:21-23
My dear brothers and sisters, I hope this strong message challenges you to examine your own heart to make certain you are born-again. Jesus message was clear. So too should be the evidence in your life.
I also pray it emboldens you to speak the truth in love and ask, as the Holy Spirit leads and gives you opportunity, those you love and are most concerned about…while it is still called today and the Lord God may be found.
And if you are still lost and searching, I hope this message gives you a clear path to get “found”! It is the path that leads to the cross of Jesus—our only hope for salvation.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1: 18
For Christ’s sake,
