So, You Say You're a Christian?

Flood Zone Recap
May 13, 2007

Happy Mother's Day!

Question of the Night: When a fried says they're saved, how can you tell? And if not, how can you help them without them ignoring what you say?

How Can You Tell?
Matthew 7:15-18, 20-21: Beware of the false prophets who come to yo in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit; but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit..Sso then, you will know them by their fruits. not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

We can tell if someone is truly the Christian they claim to be by testing the fruit. We can test the fruit by asking three questions about that person...or maybe even about ourselves!

1. Those who are in Christ are new creatures: Have their actions and attitudes changed? (Hebrews 10:26-27; 2 Cor 5:17; 1 John 2:3-7)

2. Thos who are in Christ have the Spirit in them: Are the fruits of the Spirit present and being developed (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control-Romans 8:14-16, 23; Galatians 5:17-26)

3. Those who are in Christ are being sanctified (set apart, made perfect/holy): Is there a desire for holines and change? (Romans 6:22; 2 Thess 2:13)

How can you Help?

If you asked these questions about a friend and your answers were "no, no, no" then be concerened about your friend's salvation. Here are some ways you can help.

1. Pray for them daily. Let them know you are praying for them.

2. Loving Rebuke: As long as they bear the name of Jesus, you must call them out on their sin.

3. Be an Example: Practice what you preach!

You may never see the results of your prayers, love and example to your friends, but trust that God is working in their hearts to help them realize the fact that they are lost. Don't abandon your friends that think they are saved just because they walked an aisle or were baptized when they were 7. They may be deceived and our prayers, love and example could make a difference...maybe tomorrow...maybe in 10 years!

So, What about You?

How is your fruit? If someone were to test your fruit, would you pass the test? Do your friends know you love them and are praying fo them? Are you living the example that could make al lthe difference tomorrow or 10 years from now? Are you crying "Lord, Lord" tring to fake your way into heaven when Jesus doesn't even know you?

Important questions to ask...important answers to know.

Read 1 John 2:3-7. Is this you? If so, then you can be certain you are a child of God. Pray for others that think they are but are not, that they would recognize the deception and truly give their lives to God.