1. BIRTHMARK OF CONFESSION
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. 1 John 5:1 NLT
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NLT
Anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son well never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment. John 3:36 NLT
2. BIRTHMARK OF CHANGE — Transformed (inside), not reformed (external)
Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children. 1 John 2:29 NLT
Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 1 John 3:7 NLT
So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10 NLT
3. BIRTHMARK OF COMPASSION
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 NLT
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NASB
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 NLT
4. BIRTHMARK OF CONFLICT (Old nature vs New Nature)
For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 1 John 5:4 NLT
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
5. BIRTHMARK OF CONDUCT
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 1 John 5:18 NLT
Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 1 John 3:4 NLT
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT
Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. 1 John 3:9 NLT
(If a Christian violates the law of God—he asks God for forgiveness)
- As taught in a sermon by Dr. DAVID JEREMIAH, Turning Point Ministries