marks

                           

  1 John 5:13-15, I write these things to you who believe in the name of the

  Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the

  confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to

  his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask,

  we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

  Are you a Christian? How do you know?

  You’re not a Christian because you say you are anymore than you’re in

  Cincinnati because you know how to get there. Being a Christian is not

  about knowing how to become a Christian; it’s about knowing you are one.

  If you don’t have a mane; if you don’t have sharp teeth; if you don’t have

  a long tail—you’re not a lion no matter what you say.

  If you don’t have tires; if you don’t have a motor; and if you don’t have

  a steering wheel—you’re not a car no matter what you say.

  If you can’t carry a tune; and if you can’t hit a note; and if your

  singing doesn’t bless people—stick to the shower, because you’re not a

  soloist no matter what you say.

  In the same sense, Christians have fruit; they have characteristics; they

  have evidence; they have identifying marks.

  John said in 1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the

  name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” You

  can have the assurance that you’re saved. You don’t have to wonder—just

  ask yourself, “Do I have the identifying marks?”

  The book of 1 John repeatedly explains the distinguishing characteristics

  of followers of Christ. No one has them perfectly, but look at your life

  and ask yourself if you’re increasing in these marks:

  - Am I loving more deeply? Not perfectly, but increasingly . . .

  - Am I obeying more faithfully? Not perfectly, but increasingly . . .

  - Am I living authentically?

  The Christian life is not a charade. I’m not wearing a mask. I’m not

  acting like I’m something I’m not. My heart is very tender to the Lord and

  He’s growing me. That’s part of being a real Christian.

  When you see these marks in your life, and you know that you long to know

  Him more and be passionate about doing what pleases Him increasingly more

  in your life, then your heart swells with assurance. 

You belong to Him.

-James MacDonald