BIRTHMARKS OF A REAL
CHRISTIAN
1 JOHN (various passages)
A birthmark is any minor
disfigurement (a nevus) or blemish on a person’s skin at birth. Jokingly we may
say it is proof that a person was born. Not funny is the fact that many, in
fact multitudes, think they are born again or true Christians, when, in fact
they are not. It is important, therefore, to put ourselves to the test (s) to
make sure we are indeed “in Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul challenges us
accordingly,
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your
own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except
ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)
IN JOHN’S FIRST EPISTLE SEVEN
SUCH POINTS OF PROOF ARE SET FORTH:
1.
THE TEST OF DELIGHTING IN GOD’S WORD
(1 John 2:3-6)
“And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments. 4
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the
truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is
the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He
that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”
2.
THE TEST OF DOING RIGHTEOUSNESS (1
John 2:29; 3:7)
“If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him.” (1 John 2:29)
“Little children, let no man deceive you:
he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1 John
3:7)
3.
THE TEST OF DETESTING SIN (1 John
3:9; 5:18)
“Whosoever
is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God.” (1 John 3:9)
The AMP translation clarifies: “No one born (begotten) of God
[deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature
abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently
within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of
God.” (1 John 3:9)
“We know that whosoever is born of God
sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked
one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:18)
The AMP translation clarifies: 18 “We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately
and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God
carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s divine presence within him
preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a
grip) on him or touch [him].” (1 John 5:18)
4.
THE TEST OF DESIRING GOD’S PEOPLE (1
John 3:10-11, 14, 19; 5:1)
10 “In this the children of God
are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness
is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother. 11 For this is the message that ye heard from
the beginning, that we should love one
another.” (1 John 3:10-11)
5.
THE TEST OF ACCURATELY DEFINING JESUS
(1 John 5:1)
1 “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and
every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”
6.
THE TEST OF OVERCOMING THE WORLD (1
John 5:4, 5)
4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1
John 5:4-5)
7.
THE TEST OF DISCIPLINING SELF OR
THE TEST OF SENSING THE KEEPING, UNFAILING LOVE OF GOD (1 John 5: 18 – A
DIFFICULT VERSE TO TRANSLATE)
KJV: "We
know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God
keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” (1 John 5:16-18)
ESV: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.' (1 John 5:18)
Christians don't sin in the sense they relish it. They do "not keep sinning" with a 'don't care attitude.' They are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they do not enjoy sinning, they are bothered, they seek deliverance, etc. They possess a new found sense of holiness and 'keep themselves' holy before God, or, as Jude challenges, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:21). This very conviction and uncomfortableness with sin, all of which true believers most certainly feel within, interestingly assures us that we belong to Him!
ESV: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.' (1 John 5:18)
Christians don't sin in the sense they relish it. They do "not keep sinning" with a 'don't care attitude.' They are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they do not enjoy sinning, they are bothered, they seek deliverance, etc. They possess a new found sense of holiness and 'keep themselves' holy before God, or, as Jude challenges, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 1:21). This very conviction and uncomfortableness with sin, all of which true believers most certainly feel within, interestingly assures us that we belong to Him!
