Are You Really Born Again?
I recently attended the "Do Hard Things" conference in Indianapolis, IN. The main speakers were Brett and Alex Harris. They are the younger brothers to the best-selling author Joshua Harris, who wrote "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Just so you know, the rest of this article was inspired by their talk. Their 3rd session was about the fact that some professing Christians are not really born again.
Matthew 7:16-20 says, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Jesus is warning the people about those who would say that they are Christians but not act like Christians. Many Catholics will say that you are saved by faith and works. However, this is not true. Many times over, the bible says that we are saved by faith. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Those who practice Catholicism state that James 2:14 proves that we are saved by faith and works. However, James is saying that your good deeds will be a result of your faith and that if you really are born again, you would act like a believer. Jesus also says that with the passage in Matthew 7:16-20 about the good tree.
Are your actions like that of a born again believer? Do you strive to obey the bible and honor God? Or, are you acting like the world? The bible is very clear. All of those who profess to be Christians might not all be Christians. Some Christians might truly be born again believers that have strayed from the way of righteousness. Evaluate yourself. Are you a born again believer? Or are you faking it so people will leave you alone. Pray and see what God reveals to you.
If you aren't a believer, do business with God now. You don't know how much time you will have before your time on earth is done. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Salvation is a free gift. Don't let it get by. Being a Christian won't be easy. Millions have been killed and many more neglected
Matthew 7:16-20 says, "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Jesus is warning the people about those who would say that they are Christians but not act like Christians. Many Catholics will say that you are saved by faith and works. However, this is not true. Many times over, the bible says that we are saved by faith. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Those who practice Catholicism state that James 2:14 proves that we are saved by faith and works. However, James is saying that your good deeds will be a result of your faith and that if you really are born again, you would act like a believer. Jesus also says that with the passage in Matthew 7:16-20 about the good tree.
Are your actions like that of a born again believer? Do you strive to obey the bible and honor God? Or, are you acting like the world? The bible is very clear. All of those who profess to be Christians might not all be Christians. Some Christians might truly be born again believers that have strayed from the way of righteousness. Evaluate yourself. Are you a born again believer? Or are you faking it so people will leave you alone. Pray and see what God reveals to you.
If you aren't a believer, do business with God now. You don't know how much time you will have before your time on earth is done. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Salvation is a free gift. Don't let it get by. Being a Christian won't be easy. Millions have been killed and many more neglected