Characteristics of the True Believer
Pastor Scott Foreman
July 10th, 2022
Pastor Scott Foreman
July 10th, 2022
The Genuine Believer…
Is Looking For Jesus and Becoming More Like Him (3:1-3)
“I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7)
“I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:12)
“Surely I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:20)
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”(Rev. 22:20)
We are his children (v1).
The world doesn’t know us as God’s children (v2).
We are purposed for purity (v3).
The world doesn’t know us as God’s children (v2).
We are purposed for purity (v3).
The Genuine Believer…
- Is Looking For Jesus and Becoming More Like Him (3:1-3)
- Is Not Living in Carefree, Christless Sin (3:4-7)
If you have chosen, as a lifestyle, to embrace sin, you have made the decision to not embrace Christ.
“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil.” (v8)
When a believer recognizes his sin and does something about it, that’s a good indicator of the Spirit working in his life.
But the person that recognizes his sin, does nothing about it, and doesn’t care about it – that’s a good indicator of the absence of the Spirit in his life.
“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil.” (v8)
When a believer recognizes his sin and does something about it, that’s a good indicator of the Spirit working in his life.
But the person that recognizes his sin, does nothing about it, and doesn’t care about it – that’s a good indicator of the absence of the Spirit in his life.
- Has no interest in Christ, as evidenced by their actions.
- This person is not interested in pleasing Christ, this person is interested in pleasing themselves and their desires.
- This is someone who has not had real life change since coming to Christ – their sinful trajectory has just continued since day one.
The Genuine Believer…
- Is Looking For Jesus and Becoming More Like Him (3:1-3)
- Is Not Living in Carefree, Christless Sin (3:4-6)
- Lives Righteously and Abides in Christ (3:6,10)
”No one abiding in Him keeps on sinning.” (3:6)
‘Abiding’ comes from a Greek word that basically means “live in” or “remain”. It speaks of being tethered to Christ.
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
The Genuine Believer…
- Is Looking For Jesus and Becoming More Like Him (3:1-3)
- Is Not Living in Carefree, Christless Sin (3:4-6)
- Lives Righteously and Abides in Christ (3:6,10)