Why is it so important that we know we have been born of God?

There are two kinds of children in this world: the children of God and the children of the devil. You would think that a “child of the devil” would be a person who lives in gross sin, but such is not always the case. An unbeliever is a “child of the devil.” He may be moral and even religious; he may be a counterfeit Christian. But because he has never been “born of God” and experienced spiritual life personally, he is still Satan’s “child.”

A counterfeit Christian—and they are common—is something like a counterfeit ten-dollar bill. Suppose you have a counterfeit bill and think it is genuine. You use it to pay for a tank of gas. Eventually, it reaches the bank, where the teller says, “I’m sorry, but this bill is a counterfeit.” That ten-dollar bill may have done a lot of good while in circulation, but when it arrived at the bank it was exposed for what it really was—and put out of circulation.

So it is with a counterfeit Christian. He may do many good things in his life, but when he faces the final judgment he will be rejected. Each of us must ask himself honestly, “Am I a true child of God, or am I a counterfeit Christian? Have I truly been born of God?”

The Bible says: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then I will profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity’” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Consider also: all of 1 John.

Action assignment: Examine your own life for signs of one who is an authentic believer. Make certain that you have been “born of God.” If you know you have been, you can make “Blessed Assurance” your song for today.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in