The bible does say...."Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. II Cor.13:5-8

How do you know that you are really a Christian and not a reprobate?
When presenting an arguement,one must know extensively all points that are applicable to your case,you must have sufficent knowlege of your subject matter and this requires producing evidence based on fact ( a proven point) that is logical,sound,and convincing.

Webster's dictionary for Reprobate(unsaved)

Definition:

1. disreputable: disreputable or immoral

2. religion damned: having a soul that is believed to be damned

Why would Paul ask you to examine yourself? The answer...because not all believers are really the diciples of Jesus Christ.Can an orange produce grapefruits? No! Why is that? Simply because an orange tree can only produce fruit after its own kind.For example,do you remember what Paul said about false Prophets? He said that "they started out with us but were not really of us for if they were then they would have continued with us."

Also Paul says,"And that because of false Brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you." Galatians 2:4,5

These false brethren have an agenda,they are servants of Satan(knowingly or unknowingly)who try to bring real Christians from the  LIBERTY OF THE GOSPEL under the bondage of  THE LAW.

 

Signs of a false brethern( fruit) THEY CARRY A BIG RELIGIOUS STICK. They absolutely hate the joy of the Lord and the liberty that real christians have in Jesus. The are sour, bitter,angry,under the law and commited to obeying rules and regulations. All bound up in religiousity and they want to ensnare you into their trap.Many of them actually believe they are saved but alas they are not, but are even as Cain, trying to obtain God's favor by the works of the law. TASTE NOT, HANDLE NOT, TOUCH NOT...That is why Jesus said to test the fruit.This is how we know who is a real Christian and one who is a false brethren.The fruit they produce.

How do you know you are really saved?
Are you in Christ? Does the spirit of God really live in you?  How do you know?

The motive of love and a pure heart is to share the truth of the gospel. Love in and of itself is only an emotion. If I really love you then I want you to know the truth that will set you free.Jesus put aside his emotion to do the Father's will. "Lord,if it be possible make this cup pass from me,nevertheless not my will but thine be done."  Does sharing the truth always mean popularity? On the contrary, just ask John the Baptist,Jeremiah,Elijah,even all the Apostles who were murdered for their faith. Ask all the persecuted Christians in the world who die daily for Jesus Christ.

 Western Christians want to hear about, "love" and  "peace"  and  "Don't judge me." but what did Peter say?  "Repent and be converted (to the gospel of grace) that your sins may be blotted out."

What did Jesus say? "If any man will serve me let him take up his cross and follow me..."

 

Are you taking up the cross of suffering for Jesus and hated by men for his sake or are you a people pleaser ?

Brethren,we are in the last days! The church is liberal, luke warm ,apathetic,idoltorous and amny are under th law in one form or the other !Many and I mean many false brethren have invaded the Church. They hide among us, lying wait to entrap the redeemed. Know them! Test the fruit! Test your own fruit!