“Evidences of a Saved Man” or “Putting Yourself on Trial”
preached by Pastor Kohl on
September 28, 2003
Bible Text:
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?”
Introduction:
If Jesus Christ is in you – and He is in all who are saved – there should be a change. So today, imagine that you are on trial. Imagine the jury box is filled with the people closest to you: your spouse, kids, peers, fellow employees, parents, boss, neighbors. Imagine that witnesses are brought in to prove whether or not you are truly saved. What would your jury’s verdict be? Do you have these five evidences of a saved person?
1. A Different Nature
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
A truly saved person is constantly becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. He or she will be showing more and more evidence of God’s Holy Spirit living in them. These evidences, or “fruits”, are listed in Galatians 5:22,23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Do you have these?
2. A Different Love
1 John 3:10,15 “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...We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
A saved person will love other saved people. He or she will love being in church with spiritual family. He will love the church and desire to be involved in it. He will serve, pray for, care for, weep with, and rejoice with his brothers and sisters in the Lord.
3. A Different Spirit
1 John 2:3 says, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
“A different spirit” refers to an different attitude – one of obedience. Before we were saved, we looked at God’s laws as being restrictive. After salvation, we should see that God’s laws are for the best, so we can enjoy life more! Those who live within His guidelines find peace and contentment.
Jesus said in John 14:15-17 , “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
4. A Different Result
1 John 5:4 tells us, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
A person that is really saved will have victory over their sin. He or she will, of course, sin occasionally, but should have victory over habitual sin.
Romans 6:14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
5. A Different Guide
Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
A saved person has God the Holy Spirit living inside of him. In John 10:27, Jesus compared us to sheep needing a shepherd: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
The saved man or woman will not be guided by self-determination, peer pressure, or popular culture. He or she will be led by the Holy Spirit, whether it is popular or not.
Conclusion:
The evidence has been presented and the jury must now bring in their verdict. What will it be? Does your life prove the evidences of true salvation? If not, examine yourself. Perhaps you are not truly saved. If you would like to know how click here to read our message: You Can Know For Sure That You Are Going To Heaven!
