In the explosive drama of the Great Awakening, it seemed as though conversions were occurring in great numbers. However, it didn’t take long to realize that some people claimed conversions that were not real. While various excesses and heightened emotional experiences were common, scores of people didn’t demonstrate any evidence in their lives to verify their claim to know and love Jesus Christ.

Thus, partly in defense of true conversion and partly to expose false conversion, Jonathan Edwards wrote A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections. He wrote it to deal with a problem not unlike one we face today: the matter of evidence for true conversion. The supreme proof of a true conversion is what Edwards called “holy affections”, which are a zeal for personal holiness and a longing after God. True salvation always produces, in a person, an abiding change of nature ⎯ a progressive conformity to Christ-likeness. Therefore, whenever the pursuit of holiness does not accompany a confession of conversion, it must be understood that this individual is not a Christian. Assurance of salvation is never to be enjoyed merely on the basis of a past experience, fleeting emotional highs or by religious rites (eg. baptism). There is need of the present and continuing work of the Holy Spirit in giving assurance.

Main Texts:
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:16)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Gal 5:22,23)

Reference Texts:
“The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 3:10)
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).

Pertinent Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:16, how do we know that we are children of God?

Not, by our mere hunch, but through the witness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one that testifies and assures us that we are children of God.

2. How exactly does the Spirit testify with our spirit that we are children of God?

The Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God by producing good fruit in us. These fruits are specified in Gal 5:22,23. These fruits are evidence that we are children of God.

3. Is the Spirit’s production of these good fruit progressive?

Yes! Imagine a real fruit, like apples and pears!! 2 Cor 3:18 says we are being transformed into the image of Christ. It suggests a process. There is the concept of work in progress.

4. What should we do if we cannot find evidence of growth of good fruit in our lives?

• Attach ourselves to the vine John 15.
• Do not walk away! Cos the consequence of that is eternal death (Matthew 3:10).. Plead with the Lord to do a divine work in our heart. Plead with him to grow in us fruits we do not yet have.