Six Marks of a regenerate soul in John’s 1st Epistle
First published in Waymarks No.45, Summer 2006
These
are evidences in which a true believer persists. They are not merely
occasional, but the occasional lapse does not indicate that one is not saved.
(If we sin we have an advocate with the Father.)
1.Does righteousness
Ye know that every one
that doeth righteousness is born of Him. 2: 29. 3: 37
Unbelievers cannot therefore
do righteousness however noble and kind they may appear. The believer’s actions
in righteousness display the quality that pertains to Christ. Righteous living
is the offspring of the new nature.
2. Does not practice
sin
Whosoever is born of God
doth not commit sin 3 9 and cf 2: 1
&5: 18
This is the converse of our
first point. Note that the verses do not teach that it is our new nature that
does not sin. It is the person possessing a new nature who does not practice
sin.
3. Loves
Everyone that loveth is born of God 4: 7 (3: 14, 19, 4: 12)
Again, unbelievers cannot
love each other. This is agape type of love, undemanding and self
sacrificing. Unbelievers are always full of hate. See Paul’s testimony, hateful
and hating one another. Titus 3: 3. They may show some natural affection
from time to time, but agape-love belongs solely the born again soul.
4. Overcomes
Whatsoever is born of God
overcometh the world 5: 4
The born again soul subdues
the world and has victory over it. He is not forever at the whim of every
passing fad. He is not given to the fashions of this world. He is not a slave
to worldly pursuits and pleasures. His ability to live victoriously is proof of
regeneration.
He who is not an overcomer is
without life. Unconverted. See also 2:
15, If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in
him.
5. Keeps himself
He that is begotten of God
keepeth himself 5: 18
The believer diligently
maintains a watch over himself in relation to the word of God. He guards
himself against the risk of sinning. Satan cannot touch him while this guard is
kept. His whispered lies fall on deaf ears. The shield of faith gives
protection against the evil one.
6. Believes Jesus is
Christ
Whosoever believeth that
Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
The person who believes that
the One known as Jesus, whose life is revealed in the Gospels, is the Anointed
One of God, that is, God’s only begotten Son, the promised Saviour of the
world, is born again.
Plainly one must reach an age
of understanding to take this in and act upon it.
These verses do not teach
sinless perfection.
And Six marks of the unregenerate.
These are characteristics of
the ungodly.
Loves the world 2: 15
Denies the Son 2: 23
Practices sin 3: 6
Hates his brother 3:
14
Ignores God’s servants 4: 6
Fearful 4: 18
RS