One of our board members recently showed us a list of items that his pastor had come up with to help people understand true salvation. This is an excellent grouping of statements with some associated Bible verses which will help a person determine whether their
faith is genuine or not ~
1 - Genuine fellowship with God that is one in heart and mind.
2 - There is a sensitivity to sin in your life - 1 John 1:5, 6, 8, 10 and 1 John 1:9.
3 - There's a desire to obey God's Word - 1 John 2:3-5.
4 - There is an opposition to the
world, the flesh, and the devil - 1 John 2:15-17.
5 - There should be a decreasing pattern of sin in your life. As a Christian, your life should be characterized by a pattern of righteousness (sin should be decreasing and righteousness should be increasing) - 1 John 3:4-6.
6 - A true love for the church should be evidenced - 1 John 3:10-11.
7 - There is a Spirit-led ability to
discern between truth and error. Can you tell a false gospel? - 1 John 4:1.
8 - There is desire to increase in the knowledge of God - 1 Peter 2:2.
9 - The father disciplines those he loves - Hebrews 12:5-6.