Ask God to See if You Have Really Been Born Again

Many people are the same people after becoming a Christian as they were when they were young before they were saved. They just added a form of Christianity to their rebellion and anger denying Christ in their attitudes if not in their lifestyles.

These people have become just like the Pharisees, parading their "Christianity" around like a banner to feel very prideful about their new found goodness.

Matthew 23:15

"15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves."

Pharisees are those who look down their noses at others supposing themselves to be superior.

Matthew 23

"1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues."

Luke 16:15

"15 And He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God."

Many people who say they are Christians spend more time evaluating what others are doing than they do self-reflecting to be able to correct their own flaws.

Pride and superiority ought never to be in the heart of a born-again believer. When we see those who love themselves above everyone else and who look down on others often, we are watching someone who has never been humbled to be born again. No one can remain full of pride and arrogance after coming to Christ in brokenness over their sinfulness. One must be broken first before they will legitimately see their need for Christ.

There are those who became Christians to appear better people than others, not because they have been broken. They are those who monitor others to justify their own superior attitude over others. They have no fruit of the Spirit of Christ.

Those who have been broken love others and desire for them to be born again and receive Christ, they do not consider themselves superior to anyone.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

2 Peter 1:10-11 "10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.…"