SEVEN MARKS OF A BIBLE CHRISTIAN*By John LaVier

SEVEN MARKS OF A BIBLE CHRISTIAN
*By John LaVier*
*
1. Gods people are a SAVED people.
Theirs is not a hope-so salvation, but a know-so salvation. They know on
the authority of Gods own Holy Word. These things have I written unto
you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye
have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Having believed, they are saved from
sin. They are saved from the wages of sin, which is death. They are
saved from the lake of fire, and the blackness of darkness forever. They
are saved, not by their own works, but by God, Who hath SAVED us, and
called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to His own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 1:9).
2. Gods people are a SANCTIFIED people.
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved
of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through SANCTIFICATION of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thess.
2:13). Like the Corinthians, they were sinners of the deepest dye, yet
now it may be said of them: But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of
our God (1 Cor. 6:11). Sanctification is that work of the Holy Spirit by
which the believer, even before he is conscious of his justification, is
set apart to God. It is based upon the redemptive work of Christ. By the
which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus
Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10). Christ Himself becomes the believers
sanctification. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1
Cor. 1:30).
3. Gods people are a SEPARATED people.
Just as God of old put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel
(Exo. 11:7), so there is today a difference between the people of God
and the people of the world. Jesus said, If ye were of the world, the
world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I
have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John
15:19). The separation is to be manifested by Gods people, for the Lords
command is, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye SEPARATE,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you
(2 Cor. 6:17). Though in the world, Gods people are not of the world,
and they are to walk in separation from the evil that surrounds them.
4. Gods people are a SPIRITUAL people.
Paul wrote, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the SPIRIT, if so be
that the SPIRIT of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the SPIRIT
of Christ, he is none of his (Rom. 8:9). All of Gods people are indwelt
by the Spirit, and their bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost. They are
taught by the Spirit (John 14:26), they are led by the Spirit (Rom.
8:14), and they are empowered by the Spirit (Acts 1:8). They should all
be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18) and manifest the fruit of the
Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith,
meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).
5. Gods people are a SEALED people.
The believer is instructed, And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are SEALED unto the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). Then in
Ephesians 1:13, In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were SEALED with that Holy Spirit of promise. The words
after that ye believed are in the Greek only one word pisteusantes,
which means believing. Simultaneously with their believing the gospel,
Gods people are sealed. First, the seal signifies a finished
transaction. The work of our redemption has been completed. Jesus cried,
It is finished (John 19:30). The seal also signifies ownership. What?
know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in
you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought
with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are Gods (1 Cor. 6:19-20). They belong to God. His seal is upon
them. Finally, the seal signifies security. They are sealed unto the day
of redemption. There will be a safe delivery of Gods purchased
possession at the end of the line. They are safe and secure in Christ.
Sealed in Him so that all the legions of hell cannot touch them.
6. Gods people are a SEATED people.
The Lord Jesus, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat
down on the right hand of God (Heb. 10:12). Those who have trusted Him
and are resting in His finished and all-perfect work, are also seated
with Him. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us SIT together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6). The saved are, in very
truth, a heavenly people. Their names are written in heaven (Luke
10:20). Their citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Their home is in
heaven (2 Cor. 5:1). Their blessings are in heaven (Eph. 1:3). Their
inheritance is in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4). They are seated in heaven. As
members of the Body, they are there with the Head, seated at the Fathers
right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and
power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only
in this world, but also in that which is to come.
7. Gods people are a SATISFIED people.
The prophet asked, Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not
bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? (Isa. 55:2) Many
there are today who are giving all their time and attention to the
things of earth; seeking satisfaction in that which satisfieth not. How
happy are those who have found Him Who alone can satisfy. Oh that men
would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to
the children of men! For he SATISFIETH the longing soul, and filleth the
hungry soul with goodness (Psa. 107:8-9). Lasting joy, and peace, and
satisfaction is to be found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. He satisfies.
Daily, hourly, moment by moment, He satisfies. All through lifes
journey, He satisfies, and when Gods children close their eyes to this
earthly scene, and open them in the realms of endless glory Ah! then,
their satisfaction will be complete. As for me, I will behold thy face
in righteousness: I shall be SATISFIED, when I awake, with thy likeness
(Psa. 17:15).

O Glorious Lord, what a good reminder this is of the desperate condition
I was in when You justified me. I was not merely needy; I was
spiritually dead. I thank You for burying that old life with Jesus in
His tomb. I praise You for raising me with Christ to a new life. I
rejoice in the radical nature of Your saving grace. Lord, by the power
of the resurrection, lead me in the reality of newness of life, in Jesus
name, Amen.