Are You Truly Redeemed? ~ 10 Hallmarks of a True Christian (Part 2 of 6)

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our study of the book of 1 John as we seek to answer the eternally important question: Are You Truly Redeemed?

Is repentance required for salvation? There are many verses that specifically say that repentance is indeed required for salvation. Jesus and his Apostles proclaimed repentance as part of salvation. The Scriptures reveal that just believing in Jesus is not the sign or requirement of a true believer. That said however, repentance is not becoming sinless or perfect and thus repentance is not “works” unto salvation. In fact, the Scriptures also reveal that repentance is not something we can do on our own and thus it cannot be defined as “works” – salvation is a gift from God. Faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin and repentance is no more a work than faith is a work…

Are You Truly Redeemed? ~ 10 Hallmarks of a True Christian (Part 2 of 6)

It is my firm belief that one of the main reasons we have a crisis in the American church today is due to the fact that many Christians live no differently from the unbelieving world. Students are also leaving the church in large numbers, mainly because we have an epidemic of what I contend are false converts – tares – within our ranks. Many people today call themselves Christians but do not believe in many – if any – of the essential Christian doctrines found throughout the Scriptures. This is the main issue we will address within this series.

As we noted last week, we find that the Apostle John tells us why the book of 1 John was written:

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:13

Over the coming weeks we will investigate “10 hallmarks” found listed in the book of 1 John that reveal the true convert of Jesus Christ. This week, let’s begin with the first two hallmarks…

1. A true convert admits they are a sinner

They do not believe they can get to heaven by being a "good" person and they understand their own total depravity and sinfulness:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:8-9

2. A true convert lives a life of obedience and desires to honor God’s commandments

They are not habitual sinners:

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked – 1 John 2:3-6

There is a difference between stumbling into sin verses willful disobedience:

Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him – 1 John 3:6

While true converts will continue to sin as part of the struggle with the sin nature (see Romans 7:14-25)...

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments – 1 John 5:2

The life of a true convert is marked by a deep desire to pursue holiness and walk in obedience to God's Word.

Remember: Our faithfulness to proclaim the Truth of God’s Word as well as defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ may very well assist others in examining their own faith to verify if they are indeed a true convert of Jesus Christ – their very soul may depend upon it!

Please join us next week as we continue to further investigate this promise of eternal assurance from the Word of God – Are You Truly Redeemed?

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!

Shane <><