SIGNS OF NEW LIFE (Test the Spirits 5)
We have been looking at 1 John 4:1, “Test the spirits,” and how that applies to us today. In the last blog we saw that testing the spirits means understanding the source behind the voice we are hearing. If it is from God the speaker (person, demon or Holy Spirit) will affirm that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man and that He is Lord and Master of their life. That means they must be a believer living for God. But how can we know if someone is a Christian or not? John gives several proofs of salvation in this same book of 1 John.
- Belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord. 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. Faith in Jesus as God Himself come down to earth to pay for our sins shows we have salvation.
- Victory over ungodly ways. 1 John 5:4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Instead of living for the world and looking for their needs to be met there, the child of God will turn to Jesus to have those needs met. “Overcomes” implies a struggle, a strong one, but one that can be won. Before salvation there is no battle for we are dead in sin (Ephesians 3:1-3). After Gods Spirit gives us new life it is natural to want to live for God. But we still have a sin nature, so there is a battle. The battle is proof of salvation (Romans 7:14-25), for those without Jesus don’t struggle, they are captive to sin.
- Strong desire to overcome sin in life. 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 1 John 3:9, “Whoever keeps on willfully sinning, violating God’s law with stubborn disregard and ongoing wickedness, cannot have assurance of salvation.” This does not mean the believer will never sin for that isn’t true (1 John 1:8, 10). It means that for one who has God’s Spirit inside their natural desire will be to overcome sin. Some may fail, or stop trying (1 Corinthains 3:1-3; Matthew 13:20), but inner desire to overcome sin is a mark of God’s Spirit indwelling a person.
- Doing what God considers right. 1 John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him. Our ability to what is right and holy in God’s sight only comes from Him. It is nothing we can do on our own so it proves we are a child of God.
- Love for other believers. 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. God gives His children a supernatural love and oneness. Having compassion for and feeling connected to other believers is a mark of salvation.
These are marks of salvation you can look for in yourself or in someone else. We can’t read another person’s heart, only God can do that. But we can look at the fruit in their lives. If there is fruit that only God can produce, then they are a believer. If they don’t have these it doesn’t mean they aren’t a believer, but it could! Then it’s best to make sure. (March 19, 2024 Doylestown, PA)
How do you compare with these 5 signs of salvation?
If there is anyone who is influencing you in matters of faith and they don’t have these traits, be very careful in believing what they say. Always compare to Scripture
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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