One question that pops up regularly...maybe you even ask yourself the question - how can I be sure I'm saved? 1 John is often referred to as the “Tests of Life” epistle, but the best indicator of true salvation is found in "The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). The reason it's such a good diagnostic tool is because it's impossible apart from regeneration. By that I mean, apart from genuine born-again, regenerated conversion, no one but Spirit indwelt believers can meet Jesus' kingdom requirements. If your life shows a marked progression toward these kingdom characteristics (Matthew 5-7), you have been regenerated by God. If you take a non-interest, an argumentative attitude, or a rejection of these characteristics, you may consider yourself to be a Christian (by your own standards), but you really are not. In those chapters Jesus makes it clear: 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. (Matthew 7:20-21)

Today's My Utmost for His Highest addresses this important issue:

“The demands our Lord makes in the Sermon on the Mount are impossible for us to meet—unless he has done a supernatural work inside us. There's no enthusiasm, no natural human quality, that can withstand the strain that Jesus Christ places upon his workers. The only thing strong enough is a personal relationship with him. This relationship must be put to the test until the disciple has just one purpose remaining: “I am here for God to send me wherever he will.” Everything else in a disciple's life may get muddied, but this relationship to Jesus Christ must remain perfectly clear.

If I am going to be a disciple of Jesus, I must be made one supernaturally. As long as I'm dead set on being a disciple, I can be sure I am not one. Discipleship isn't a matter of my determination, but of God's: “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). This is the way the call to discipleship begins. I can ignore God's call, but I can neither generate it nor decide how to answer it. When our Lord makes disciples, he doesn't ask them to do things they're naturally cut out for. He asks them to do things they've been supernaturally cut out for by his grace.

The Sermon on the Mount isn't some unattainable ideal. It's a statement of what will actually happen in me when Jesus Christ has changed my disposition and put into me a disposition like his own. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fulfill the Sermon on the Mount.”

Seems like in our postmodern culture, the idea of being judged has become an anathema. “Trophy for Everyone” is the new mantra. Not so when evaluating one's relationship with Jesus Christ. There are no trophies for the unconverted (Matthew 7:24-27). No trophies for self-defined Christians (Matthew 7:21-23). No trophies for those who do not repent (change their minds) concerning their sins and trust in the cross alone (Matthew 5:20). Jesus was very clear: “26 And everyone hearing these words of Mine and not doing them, may be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” 28 Now it happened that when Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were astonished at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority (Matthew 7:24-29).

These three chapters are not to be trifled with. Either there is an internal, heart desire to be more like Jesus and take on His characteristics....or there is a neglect, disregard, rejection of the personal application of Matthew 5-7. Which is it for you? Remember, everyone does not receive a trophy...only those who have been empowered and regenerated by God the Spirit. God informs / reminds us; if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you...if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:11,9) The Spirit is who enables us to win the “trophy”...no one will be able to do it on their own.

Fanny Crosby summed it up for “trophy recipients:”

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchased by God
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood

Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless'd,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long

Walk with the King today and be a blessing.