By John McCarthur
I. Evidences that neither prove nor disprove one's faith...
a. Visible Morality -- Matt. 19:16-21; 23:27
b. Intellectual Knowledge -- Rom. 1:21; 2:17ff
c. Religious Involvement -- Matt 25:1-10
d. Active Ministry -- Matt. 7:21-24
e. Conviction of Sin -- Acts 24:25
f. Assurance -- Matt 23
g. Time of Decision -- Luke 8:13-14
II. The Fruit/Proofs of Authentic/True Christianity
a. Love for God -- Ps 42:1ff; 73:25; Luke 10:27; Rom 8:7
b. Repentance from Sin -- Ps 32:5; Prov 28:13; Rom 7:14ff; 2 Cor 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10
c. Genuine Humility -- Ps 51:17; Matt 5:1-12; James 4:6, 9ff
d. Devotion to God's Glory -- Ps 105:3; 115:1; Isaiah 43:7, 48:10ff; Jer 9:23-24; 1 Cor 10:31
e. Continual Prayer -- Luke 18:1; Eph 6:18ff; Phil 4:6ff; 1 Tim 2:1-4; James 5:16-18
f. Selfless Love -- 1 John 2:9ff, 3:14; 4:7ff
g. Separation from the World -- 1 Cor 2:12; James 4:4ff 1 John 2:15-17, 5:5
h. Spiritual Growth -- Luke 8:15; John 15:1-6; Eph 4:12-16
i. Obedient Living -- Matt 7:21; John 15:14ff; Rom 16:26; 1 Pet 1:2,22; 1 John 2:3-5
If list I. is true but list II. is false, then there is cause to seriously question the person's profession of faith as a valid profession. However, if list II. is true, the list I. will also be true.