BYM ONLINE DESK Blessing English Emagazine Oct 2018 | Page 6

www.bymonline.org | October 2018
Six signs of a born-again Christian
Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Are you born again? This is one of life's most
important questions. Jesus Christ said, “Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”
(John 3:3).
It is not enough to reply, “I belong to the church;
I suppose I'm a Christian”. Thousands of nominal
Christians show none of the signs of being born again
which the Scriptures have given usmany listed in the
First Epistle of John.
1. John wrote: “Whosoever is born of God doth
not commit sin” (I John 3:9). “Whosoever is born of
God sinneth not” (5:18).
A person who has been born again, or
regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no
longer sins with his heart and will and whole
inclination. There was probably a time when he did
not think about whether his actions were sinful or not,
and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil.
There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were
friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it,
fights against it, considers it his greatest plague,
resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he
falls under its influence, and longs to be completely
delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it
even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a
horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot
eliminate its presence within him.
If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying (I
John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the
great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He
cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind,
or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from
appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows
that “in many things we offend all” (James 3:2). But
he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things
cause him grief and sorrow and that his whole nature
does not consent to them. What would the apostle say
about you? Are you born again?
2. John wrote: “Whosoever believeth that Jesus
is the Christ is born of God” (I John 5:1).
A man who is born again, or regenerated,
believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can
pardon his soul, that He is the divine person appointed
by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside
Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees
nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence
in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins
are all forgiven. He believes that, because he has
accepted Christ's finished work and death on the
cross, he is considered righteous in God's sight, and
he may look forward to death and judgment without
alarm.
He may have fears and doubts. He may
sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had no faith at
all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything
instead of Christ, and see what he will say. Ask him if
he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own
goodness, his own works, his prayers, his minister, or
his church, and listen to his reply. What would the
apostle say about you? Are you born again?
3. John wrote: “Every one that doeth
righteousness is born of Him” (I John 2:29).
The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a
holy man. He endeavours to live according to God's
will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the
things that God hates. He wishes to continually look
to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour and to
prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever
He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is
painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds
an evil principle within himself that is constantly
warring against grace and trying to draw him away
from God. But he does not consent to it, though he
cannot prevent its presence.
Though he may sometimes feel so low that he
questions whether or not he is a Christian at all, he
will be able to say with John Newton, “I am not what I
ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I
hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I
once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I
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