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When an infant is born the medical practitioner will observe the baby for the 'vital signs'
to determine whether it is alive and well, or not. Being born again is also validated by its vital signs.
The vital signs of rebirth inter alia include the following:
- You will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord and you will believe that God raised him from the
dead. "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from
the dead, you will be saved." Rom.10:9 (NIV)
- You will admit to, and confess your sin and sins to God. "He who conceals his sins does
not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." Prov. 28:13-14 (NIV).
We happen to be compulsive sinners because of our inherited nature, but to add insult to injury, every
man that walks earth today have voluntarily sinned. That is why the Bible states: "...There is no one righteous,
not even one." Rom. 3:10 (NIV)
- You will repent from everything that displeases God "...but now he (God) commands all people
everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice ..." Acts 17:30-31
(NIV) (explanation added)
- You will be willing to forgive all others. "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins." Matt 6:15 (NIV)
- You will embrace the Gospel of Christ. "Now brothers I want to remind you of the Gospel I
preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this Gospel you are saved,
if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you." 1 Cor. 15:1-2 (NIV)
- You will be obedient to the word of God. Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Matt 7:22 (NIV)
- You will persevere in following Christ all the way. "If anyone would come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matt 16:24 (NIV). Many, many people are
admirers of Jesus Christ but few are His followers!
- You will submit to the oversight and guidance of the Holy Spirit. ... those who are
led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Rom. 8:15 (NIV)
- You will bear the fruit of the Spirit. The Christian identity (fruit) is;
"... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
Gal. 5:22 (NIV) Jesus said that a tree is known by the fruit it bears. "By their fruit will you
recognize them ...." Matt. 7:16-20 (NIV)
You can ascertain your Christian status by evaluating whether the 'vital sign' markers
are part your life inventory. Therefore, you can know and it's imperative that you do know!
(Please note that none of the above are meritorious good works. Just as the physical vital
signs is a gift of life, so also is the vital sign markers for rebirth a gift of the new life in Christ.)
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