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Monday, March 2, 2015

Evidence of Rebirth


Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.


“. . . that you may know that you have eternal life, . .”1 John
(All Scripture cited from the New King James Version.)

Human beings have had this desire as throughout  recorded history. The ancient Pyramids of Egypt were built with elaborate burial hieroglyphics and embalming in the hope of a good after life. Radicals commit suicide in deadly attacks to gain Islamic heaven. Monks live extreme lifestyles in the hope of a good after life.

The Lord Jesus encouraged His hearers to seek certainty about their eternal future with many exhortations. One of the most blunt is found in Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, . .”

A review of the following Scriptures are given to help the sincere seeker to find certainty from God’s Word.

Repents of known sin
“ . . godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; . .” 2 Corinthians 7:10

Trusts in Christ
Has rested in Christ and ceased working for salvation: “For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:10

“. . For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24, 25

Loves the Lord Jesus
“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!”
1 Corinthians 16:22

Loves Jesus as He requires:
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” John 14:21

Therefore:
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2

And: “With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me
not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:10, 11

Therefore: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin (practice - Greek present tense), for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” 1 John 3:9

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-3

Also: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

With this promised blessing:
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’" 1 Corinthians 2:9

Therefore, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14

Jesus said: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, . .” John 15:16

To the reader who is not sure of your rebirth Jesus gives the way to find certainty to what faith you have: He said:

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him,"We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-36

For God has: “. . given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4


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