The REAL Article

Lately I have been extremely burdened and interested in what the phrase being "born again" really means and how many so called "Christians" are truly and genuinely "born again." I have thousands of thoughts on it and am still burdened/wrestling/struggling/rejoicing in it all at the same time. That being said, a brother sent me a link to a manuscript message by John MacArthur, who preached what he did based off a treatise written by Jonathan Edwards in 1746. The treatise was titled "A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections." Using Edwards' work, MacArthur lists 11 questions one must ask him or herself to evaluate whether or not they are genuinely saved. I thought the questions were helpful and right on target. I will include the questions and a few key passages used to defend the questions asked. If I can chase down the link to the entire message, I will post it ASAP. Note that all the Scripture texts provided are from 1 John. The entire letter was written so "that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). So, in addition to this, I encourage you to read over and meditate on John's 1st epistle.

11 Biblical Tests of Genuine Salvation:

1. Have you enjoyed fellowship with Christ and the Father?
1 John 1:2-3; 5:1

2. Are you sensitive to sin?
1 John 1:5-10

3. Do you obey God's Word?
1 John 2:3-5

4. Do you reject this evil world?
1 John 2:15; 5:19

5. Do you eagerly await Christ's return?
1 John 3:2-3

6. Do you see a deacreasing pattern of sin in your life?
1 John 3:4-10

7. Do you love other Christians?
1 John 2:9-11; 3:10

8. Do you experience answered prayer?
1 John 3:22; 5:13-15

9. Do you experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
1 John 4:13-14

10. Can you discern between spiritual truth and error?
1 John 4:1-6

11. Have you suffered rejection because of your faith?
1 John 3:13