Scripture Passage: 1 John 2:3-10
When we got saved, God put some indelible marks upon us. 1 John 2:3-10 reveals three traits of those who are born again—birthmarks of the believer.
First, a true believer submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). Nobody can be saved without receiving Jesus Christ as Lord. If we say He is Lord, we must keep His commandments. The commands of the Lord are something to guard, to treasure. We don’t do this in order to be saved; we do it because we are saved and we love the Lord.
Second, a true believer seeks the lifestyle of Jesus.
“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:5-6). The purpose of being saved is to be made like Jesus; as we follow His example, we become like Him. He lived a life of honesty, purity, and righteousness. He didn’t merely abstain from doing what is wrong, He went about doing good.
If we want to live like Jesus, we must also fully rely on Him, live with relinquishment as a branch abides in a vine. Adrian Rogers says, “There’s only one person who has ever lived the Christian life, and His name is Jesus. We walk as He walked because we abide in Him.”
Finally, a true believer shows the love of Jesus: “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him” (1 John 2:10). Love is the first and greatest commandment; Jesus doesn’t love us because we’re lovely... He just loves us. One of the birthmarks of believers is that they love others as Jesus has loved them.
Do you have the birthmarks of a believer?
Adrian Rogers says, “If a person is saved, it’s going to show in his life. You’re not saved by keeping the commandments, by walking as Jesus walked, or by loving your brother. But if you are saved, you will do these things.”
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