But how shall I know that I am born again? part 2 of 8

But how shall I know that I am born again?

by John Bunyan

Tonight, I have converted the old english to new, hopefully this will smooth the reading out.

Examination 2

You think that you have been born again, (it is well if you have) but unless you should deceive your poor soul, I pray you consider, when did the Spirit of the Lord Jesus show you, that you have no faith in you by nature? And when did the Spirit of Christ convince you of sin, because you did not believe in Him? It may be you have been convinced of sins against the law, by the law, and your own conscience, as the Pharisees were. 
Jn 8:9, Rom 3:20

Ay, but when did you see yourself a lost creature for lack of faith in the son of Mary? If not, you have not yet been savingly convinced by the Spirit of Christ; for that, when He convinces effectually of sin, He convinces of unbelief; though you have been never so much convinced of sins against the law, if you have not seen yourself under the power and dominion, guilt and punishment of sin, because you did not believe in Christ, you have not yet been savingly convinced! Because that's one work of the Spirit to convince of sin, "Because they believe not on Me," says Jesus the Son of Mary, who was espoused to Joseph the carpenter. 

But on the contrary, do you not say in your heart, you never had your faith to seek, but have always believed with as good a faith as any one alive? If so, then know for certain that you have no faith of the operation of God in you, according to God's ordinary working; and if so, then know, that if the Son of Man should come to judge the world at this moment of time, that you with all your faith (you think you have) would fall in the judgment. 2 Thess 2:12


Supporting scriptures


"And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."    Jn 8:9


"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Rom 3:20


"That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thess 2:12

What Does the Lord Understand? conclusion

A continuation of excerpts from Dr. Jay Wimberly's sermon notes of a message delivered September 7, 2003 to The Main Street Baptist Church in Auburndale, FL.

The text is from Micah 4:12: But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

Conclusion

It's a dangerous thing when men seek to justify their actions with, "Oh, I think the Lord understands."

Micah 4:12. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they His counsel: for He shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

Isaiah 55:9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Psalm 14:2-3. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that does good, no, not (a single) one.


Better it is that a man say, Let me understand the Lord!

Psalm 119:27. Make me to understand the way of Your precepts: so shall I talk of Your wondrous works.

Isaiah 55:7-8. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.


Understand this, O man:

Leave your way for the better way, God's way.

Come to Christ, and you will find mercy (God will not meet out to you your deserved judgment).

Come to Christ and you will find abundant pardon, more than enough to cover all your sins.


What does the Lord understand, O man?

"Come every soul by sin oppressed,
There's mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His word." John H. Stockton 1813-1877