The Evidences of Genuine Conversion

2 Corinthians 13:5, Matthew 7:13-28

"If your life is unholy your heart is unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are an unsaved person. If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, he has done nothing in you of a saving character. The grace which does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves his people, not in their sins, but from them. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be counted among his people. Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable me to honour my Saviour." - CH Spurgeon

INTRODUCTION: 

2 Corinthians 13:5

 “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?”

“Examine” (peirazo¯)  means to test or to scrutinize.

·         As you place your soul under the test of genuine conversion from God’s Word today, will you pass or fail?

“Prove” (dokimazo¯) carries the idea of passing metal through the fire to test its make up. 

·         Will what you call faith pass the test of the fire of God’s blazing Word today?

“Know” (epiginosko¯) means “to know by some mark”. 

·         Are there any marks that identify you as a child of God?  What marks reveal “that Jesus Christ is in you?”  Are there any?  

 “reprobate” (adokimos), which is the opposite of the word “prove” above…the opposite of approved.  It means disapproved or to fail the test. 

·         It means that when you apply the true, biblical test of salvation to your life…you fail the test. 

·          I want to say, this is one test you had better not fail.  And yet I am convinced that so many will.

“Your own selves” (heautou) is a personal pronoun. 

• The point is that you need to be concerned with examining no one but yourself today!  This is a test personally applied to each of us individually here today! 
• So focus on no one but “your own selves” today.

Let’s read a few passages of scripture, just to lay a nice thick foundation

Matthew 7:17-20

Jesus said:  17“Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”.

(James 2:17).The Apostle James said, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”

(Ephesians 2:8-10)The Apostle Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9.Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”

• These and many other verses teach that we are saved completely by God’s grace through faith apart from good works. 
• But these verses equally teach that all who are saved will bear fruits of righteousness.
• This is how we know for sure that we belong to Jesus Christ.

(1 John 3:10). “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”

(John 15:5-6). “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned”

(John 15:8) "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples”

• The only way to know for sure that you are saved is to study the Bible to find out what it describes as fruit of salvation, then “examine… prove…and know your own selves.” 
• Examine your life intently to see if these fruits are in your life!

 (1)    Things that are not fruits of genuine conversion (but so many people think they are)

(2)     Things that are fruits of genuine conversion.

A. THINGS THAT ARE NOT EVIDENCES OF GENUINE CONVERSION:  

Here is a few things that people believe prove they are saved, but do not.  If these are the only things you are trusting in as proof that you are saved then you have been deceived.   This is going to be a shock for many who read this today!

1. A Profession of Faith: (Mathew 7:21) Jesus said,“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven”. 

• “Lord, Lord” is an emphatic declaration. 
• These are people who frequently use the Lord’s name…who would boldly “prophesy in His name” (7:22) that He is the Messiah and the only way to heaven. 
•  But notice what Jesus says to them, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mathew 7:23).

• While boldly professing Jesus as Lord…in works they deny him…they “work iniquity.” 

Paul warned Titus of these kind of people, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).

A profession of faith is not an evidence of genuine conversion! 

Neither is “I went forward in an invitation” or “I prayed a sinner’s prayer” or “I know the date, time, and place.”  Evidence of genuine conversion is not what you say, but what you do!  

Has your “profession” produced any change in your life?

2. Assurance: “I Know that I’m saved”  I come from a charismatic background and a lot of my friends are drinking and smoking, clubbing , and when you ask them, “Are you saved?” with passion they will boldly say, “I have no doubt that I am saved.” 

• What they are really saying is “Yes, I went forward!  I prayed the prayer!   I did what the preacher told me to do!  Why, I was even baptized.”  They are confident!  Sure!   Assured that they have a home in heaven!  
• They trust in a decision not in Christ!
• Being bold in stating that you are saved is not an evidence of genuine conversion!

3. An Emotional Feeling:  (James 2:19-2) “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”. 

·         James reveals that demons have a good theology of the person and work of God…they even “tremble” …have an emotional response when they think upon the God of heaven. 

·         But they still have dead faith because it produces no obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ!

So many people I have talked to believe they are saved because they cried during a sermon…they had “an awesome feeling.

·         Do you really want to base your eternal destiny on a goose bump feeling?

You can hear, tremble, cry, have “goose-bumps” and die in your sin and perish in hell.  These things are only “faith without works”, and they will not save your soul! 

·         Emotional feelings are not an evidence of genuine conversion!

4. Church Membership / Baptism:  It is church/religious folks Jesus talks about in Matthew

 7:13-28. How many people have been baptized and joined a church still lost in their sin? 

·         Church membership is not an evidence of salvation!  Neither is baptism!

5. Religious Activity: (Matthew 7:22).  “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

·         Some people confuse religious activity with fruit! 

·         They think their activity is the kind of fruit the Lord is looking for, but notice what Jesus said of them!  While they were preaching…while they were casting out demons…while they were doing their self professed wonderful works…Jesus said that they were “workers of iniquity” (7:23) in sin all the while!

(1 Corinthians 6:9-10).The Lord says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God”

Religious activity is not an evidence of genuine conversion!  Some of the most immoral and wicked people I know attend church religiously… deacons…elders... worship team, etc.

B.   THINGS THAT ARE EVIDENCES OF GENUINE CONVERSION:  

Here is a list of things that will be present in all genuinely converted people:

1.  Genuine Love for God!   This is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). At conversion, (Romans 5:5).   “…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us” 

• How will I know if I have genuine love for God?

(1 John 5:3). “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”

(1 John 2:3-6). “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked”

• Genuine love for God always produces obedience to His commands!

You cannot legitimately say you love God if there is not obedience to His Word and His Lordship in your life! 

The surest evidence of salvation is a love for God that drives me to submit and yield to His will and His Word!

2. Continual Separation from Sin:  This is the doctrine of sanctification… that God separates us from the world and sin to live a holy life for His glory! 

• Everyone whom God saves, He sanctifies!

(Romans 8:29-30). “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified”

• God chose us before the world began to be saved.  
• That choice also guarantees that we will be “conformed” into the image of Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ”

(Matthew 7:13-14) 13"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.

14"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

• Jesus taught a narrow gate and a narrow path! 
• He said the broad way leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). It is impossible to enter the narrow gate and walk in the broad path. 
•  The narrow gate is the entrance way into the narrow path!  
•  Walking the broad way is evidence that you have not experienced genuine conversion!

We know that we are saved because God is continually at work in our lives, separating us from sin, making us holy, conforming us into the image of Jesus, and maturing us in Christian graces. God’s continual separation from sin is evidence that we have genuine conversion! 

3. Discipline When We Do Sin: (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 with 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” 

• Evidence of genuine conversion is that we love God. 
• This love produces obedience to God and continual separation from sin. 

 But the fact remains that Christians do still often sin. 

·         What happens when the Christian sins? 

·         God disciplines, corrects, even “scourges” or whips him to turn him back into the way!

If you can sin and not experience the discipline of God, this is a crystal clear warning that you are not God’s child! 

• Discipline hurts, but it is a sweet reminder that I belong to God and He will not let sin have me!

4. Genuine Repentance:  (1 John 1:9).  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

• Discipline is designed by God to drive us to repentance. 
• The mark of a child of God is a tender heart! 
•  He is so easily broken by the rebuke of God!  He is contrite and genuinely sorry over his sin! 
•  Sin grieves his heart.  He cannot enjoy it and will not abide in it! 
• His love for God will not allow it! So when(not if) he sins, he quickly comes clean before God!

Genuine repentance is a heart-felt forsaking of sin! 

Genuine repentance is me taking sides with God against me! 

Genuine repentance is agreeing with God over my sin and putting it away!

“…but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

5. Living for God’s Glory:  Paul says God “…will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:6-7).

• Patient continuance is the doctrine of perseverance. 
•  Those who are saved continually persevere in seeking to do what they do for the glory of God!  
• The evidence of genuine conversion is living to please God, not self! 

6. Spiritual Maturity:  Folks who are genuinely converted will “grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”(2 Peter 3:18).  

They will grow “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).  

They will be “rooted and grounded” in love.  (Ephesians 3:17)

• Spiritual maturity is a mark of genuine salvation! 
• Saved folks grow strong in the Lord Jesus and are not easily deceived. 
• They do not quit. 
• They do not allow their feelings to dictate to them their level of service to Christ!

7. The Fruit of the Spirit:  (Galatian 5:22-25). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, 23gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit”

• You are a tree – Your fruit will so whether God is your husbandman!