Joy Baptist Church Doctrine

15. WE CAN KNOW WE ARE BORN OF GOD!

Multitudes THINK they are born of God because of their morality or religious lifestyle, rather than trusting in Jesus. Many sincere Christians have surrendered themselves to the Lord, but are not sure if they are born of God. Limited knowledge of the Bible causes doubt. When we doubt, we should take inventory. The four following tests will help to check out one's salvation:

(1.) CHECK YOUR FRUIT.

Because of the new nature, the true believer will desire to control the flesh. As new Christians mature, they gain more control of the flesh and produce fruit.

John 15:5, "I am the true vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:"

Matthew 7:15-16, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits."

Matthew 7:20, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

Hebrews 6:8, "But that which bears thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing: whose end is to be burned."

(2.) CHECK GOD'S CHASTENING FOR YOUR CARNAL SIN.

When Christians fail to control the flesh, God deals with them as a concerned father to a disobedient child; God disciplines his own.

Hebrews 12:6-8, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."

(3.) CHECK FOR THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE.

I Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"

Romans 8:14, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God."

Romans 8:16, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

(4.) CHECK THE WORD OF GOD.

I John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

II Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

II Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

Conclusion: We can KNOW if we are truly Born of God and where we will spend our eternity. If you are bearing spiritual fruit, and you receive God's chastisement when it is appropriate, and you are led by the Spirit of God, and you have fulfilled the Bible requirements of repentance and faith for salvation, you know, by the Word of God, you have received God's gift of salvation; you have been born of God, you are His child and you will dwell God forever.