How do you know if your really born again?

Ive heard it can be a gradual expereince that takes place over time. Ive also heard that if you don't remember your conversion experience, you probably never had a conversion. Sometimes I feel safe. Like if I died today I would be with Jesus. Other times I don't know. Why do Christians in America today not even compare to those of pauls time or even Christians in muslim country's today being slaughtered because they will not deny Jesus? Most of the time I am really confused about this. How do I get assurance??? Now before you answer, I already am aware that one of the symptoms of a true Christian is being concerned about whether or not your a true Christian, but thats not enough for assurance. I think the reason Im having more doubts than usual is because I just got out of a relationship that lasted a year with a woman who is not a Christian, but a self loathing, suicidal alcoholic. And my sympathy for her is outweighed by my bitterness towards her because she hurt me. Now please do not post your oppinions on this thread of whether or not you think I am a Christian. I think only God knows the heart. I would rather hear some of your reasons for assurance, how long it took for you to really know, and what your conversion experience was like. Thanks in advance.

Greetings my friend I will try to express how I was given confidence in my being accepted by God. For many years I floundered in my walk with God, from thinking I was ok to being backslidden, Going all the way in the other direction. Having thought that I was to be a castaway I went further into sin. Became addicted to drugs and was living the life of the Prodigal son. Wasting away my inheritance. In my affliction and trying to run away from God I found myself bound by sin and addiction. I didn't want to go on I even wanted to die. One day it was as if a light went on and I looked around and hated what I had become. I told God that I wanted to get out of my situation, the addiction and what it had brought into my life, but I also told Him I didn't know how to do it. So I cried out for His help. Within several days through some unusual circumstance I was arrested and placed in jail. A couple of days later I realized that God had come to my rescue and I thanked Him. While in jail I found I could not read and understand any writings such as fiction so I turned to the bible and wouldn't you know all of a sudden it began to make sense. One night while reading Romans chapter 7 I was made to understand that I was not alone in my questions. For Paul wrote about his dilemma that was also my own. I knew what was right but did not know how to do what was right. Then Paul gives the answer it is in Christ Jesus that we are not condemned. So what I am trying to tell you is that I didn't do anything special, it was God who opened my eyes when I asked Him to reveal Himself to me. The results are that I am changed not by my own hands, but I noticed that my desires changed and I know that I am new. The changes that God has been doing in this man is my proof.
I hope that this will help but truly only God can change us, let it happen my friend.

One man set free,
Jeffrey

Actually, that you pay mind to persecuted Christians definitely makes me think you are a Christian. So few Christians in the Free World tend to ever think of the Persecuted Church.

As the Apostle John says in one of his letters, 'you do not need teachers, the Holy Spirit teaches you all things and is real - not counterfeit - just as it has taught you'. That, really, is the key. The Holy Spirit teaches you the anointing you have is real and leads you into all things.

Stick to Scripture and watch out for those who wrongfully judge you, for many claim to follow the ministry of grace and truth but really "wish to become teachers of the Law" and teach a message of rules and regulations -- ones which they have made up. Be wary of those who do not teach the simple Good News, that is the teachings of Jesus.

Those teachings you hold to and apply everyday, that keeps you in God.


And through that your salvation is made sure.

Hey Joe, much of what Jeffz had to say was excellent, but especially, "I noticed that my desires changed and I know that I am new. The changes that God has been doing in this man is my proof."

The assurance of your salvation is best found by testing yourself to see if you are living a transformed life. If you'd like some practical help examining your life, check out the 11 questions by Pastor John MacArthur that can be found at the following site. Click here: ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? 11 SURE-FIRE WAYS TO KNOW

Yours and His,
David

Being honest and safe with Jesus is an every day healing experience of spiritual renewal. If you are sick then find fruit and vegetables that contain nutritive healing powers to heal the brain and body. If you are depressed then listen to your favourite music or watch movies on TV or DVDs. Acting like Jesus also can repel evil spirits from causing confusion and misleading you into thinking that you are not really transformed: Jesus does not deceive anyone. The constant deception is from Satan who we must fight every day through action and prayer. You can tell if you are transformed by detecting dishonesty with people in social surroundings such as being in a gang or watching the TV news. Atheism is a very powerful deception and it is unfortunate that those who were once Christians would never accept Jesus back again. The government knows that it would be suicidal to have no military to protect the country with weapons. Death-causing weapons are the main reason why terrorism would never stop. God's commandment: You shall not kill means we must invent weapons that can disable a person from attack, but we must avoid killing. If killing exists, violence will never sleep.

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I learn to accept Jesus Christ and our God the Father by default.

I've been a really good Christian for about 20 years. But I never really had 100% assurance UNTIL I grew closer to God.
I grew closer to God when I started to really really study the Bible. I purposely gave my best time to doing that. The time when I was most aware, most able to grasp the spiritual truths. As a result, I started to really grow in my faith. And I stopped doubting my salvation and started to trust God's love for me. So a deep Bible study (because it's a living Word) did it for me.
I did not study for theological reasons. I studied to see what GOD wanted to TELL ME. I studied in order to learn about HIM. I wanted to know HIM as a BEING more. And this helped me to grow closer to HIM, to grow in my faith, to become a better Christian and to not worry about my salvation anymore. It says: perfect love casts out fear. When you study about God, and when you start to love Him in your heart, then the fear/doubts is going away.

You could read here to help you more:

Bible 101 • View topic - The Bible becomes a living book

Bible 101 • View topic - Assurance of Salvation

Bible 101 • View topic - Only pure in heart will see God, how to know if your heart..

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God is the Love of my life

Where is assurance? It's not found by looking at yourself but instead by looking to the Savior!

What is it that God has done for you? He came to earth in the form of man, live the perfectly obedient life you couldn't and then died on the cross in your place for the forgiveness of your sins so that you may have eternal life. There is your assurance.

John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb when Jesus (still in Mary's womb) came near. Don't look to any conversion experience to wonder if you believe in the Christ who died for you. Look to Him and know that He died for you and your sins are forgiven!

The following verses tell us that love is the answer If we love one another then we can know that we are in God and God is in us.

Jhn 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Jhn 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Rom 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Rom 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
Gal 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Hbr 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
1Pe 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
1Pe 3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1Pe 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
1Jo 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
1Jo 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1Jo 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1Jo 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jo 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
2Jo 1:5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Today is the day of salvation, so let us love today!

One man set free,
Jeffrey

Listen to this sermon,

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Theology without doxology is idolatry

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Psalm 63:1

When you can understand the Act of the Father.
or you will search your entire life like all the others, just coming close.
But never entering into the eye of the Needle.

The hint I give you is " BLADE ". The rest is up to you. Follow Jesus.

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Mark 15:38 Enter into the Temple it is now open
to all.