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If we confess our sins...(1 John 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.(1 John 2:1 KJV) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.(Eccl 7:20 KJV) For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.(Gen 3:1 KJV) Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.The same old lying devil is telling the same lies today too..The devil lies and tells us that we can deliberately sin against God, disobey God's commandments to us and we will still not experience any negative spiritual or physical consequences next which is not so.. when we deliberately sin, and do not repent, our spiritual state with God doe become damaged, marred and it becomes worse even,and the decietfulness of sin causes many wrongfuly not to repent, tto turn away fro m their sins(Ezek 33:11 KJV) Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?(Ezek 33:12 KJV) Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth.(Ezek 33:13 KJV) When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.(Ezek 33:14 KJV) Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;(Ezek 33:15 KJV) If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.(Ezek 33:16 KJV) None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.(Ezek 33:17 KJV) Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal.(Ezek 33:18 KJV) When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.(Ezek 33:19 KJV) But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.(Ezek 33:24 KJV) Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.(Ezek 33:25 KJV) Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?(Ezek 33:26 KJV) Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?(Ezek 33:27 KJV) Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.(Ezek 33:28 KJV) For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.(Ezek 33:29 KJV) Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.(Mat 12:41 KJV) The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.(Jonah 1:1 KJV) Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me...(Jonah 3:4 KJV) And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.(Mat 12:43 KJV) When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.Do note this our spiritual growth is clearly now still too not at all based on a few hours of our local church building attendance, fir still too many people go to church for wrong reasons, to meet a hopefull mate and to get married, to have friends, to have business contacts, and furthermore you might become proud that you go so often to church, or have such a good pastor, denomination now too ehh..Again our real spiritual growth is by the Holy Spirit and our own spirit maintaining a living vital continual fellowship with Jesus Christ and do note this not for a few hours maybe, but all of the week.. having a fellowship with him at work, at play, at home, in the car, on the bus, everywhere you are too... merely talk to him for start anywhere you are too.. .... and that alone is not optional too.(John 5:19 KJV) Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.(John 15:5 KJV) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.(2 Cor 13:8 KJV) For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.WHAT IT REALY MEANS TO BE WITHOUT CHRIST.
"The Bible lists several things that unsaved people definitely have. As we read down through the list, we soon discover that these are not the most desirous things to have. However, at the very end we have God’s alternative.
Beginning at the top of the list, we find that the unsaved person has:
NO LIFE (I John 5:12). A person may have education, culture, refinement, wealth, influence, everything else, but all these together can neither merit nor purchase life. He who has not Jesus, whatever else he may have, has not the one thing essential, life, life now, life eternal. God counts him dead (Eph. 2:1). The way to have real life is to have Jesus; and the way to have Jesus is to receive Him (John 1:12).
NO PEACE (Isa. 57:2). “There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked.” People will travel the world over, indulge in everything and do everything to find peace, and yet their lives are a constant testimony to the truth of the Word, “No peace to the wicked.” “He is our peace” (Eph. 2:14).
NO STRENGTH (Rom. 5:6). The unsaved man is helpless, either to save himself or to make himself better. There was no hope for him anywhere; Jesus came and died at just the right time. His sacrifice avails for the ungodly now, and the sinner never needed the Saviour as much as he does just now.
NO CHRIST (Eph. 2:12). Here are five awful statements that were true of the Ephesians before they received the gospel, and are true of every unsaved one now: without Christ, without citizenship, without promise, without hope, without God. How awful for one to have no Christ, no Saviour, no one to bear his sins, no blood to cover him in the judgment day.
NO CITIZENSHIP (Eph. 2:12). To be “an alien from the commonwealth of Israel” means, as far as it was understood in those days, to be banished from the company of the saved here as well as to have no citizenship in heaven.
NO PROMISE (Eph. 2:12). The unsaved man is a stranger to the many thousand promises which are available to the child of God who has placed himself under the covenant of grace.
NO HOPE (Eph. 2:12). “Hope lost, all’s lost.” What is a man without hope? What would one do if he did not hope for results, and for the fruit of his labors? What an awful thing to go into eternity without hope!
NO GOD (Eph. 2:12). The climax. The blackness of despair. No God.
NO REMEDY (Prov. 29:1). It is dangerous to resist God when He speaks by His Spirit. Every time the sinner does this his heart becomes harder, and he becomes bolder in his refusals. This is the danger point, for he shall, in an unexpected moment, and without warning, be destroyed. No remedy. No excuse. Last chance gone. “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.” (Gen. 6:3).
NO EXCUSE (Rom. 1:20). “So that they are without excuse.” Having rejected all warnings and invitations, what excuse has the non-Christian to offer? “What wilt thou say when He shall punish thee?” (Jer. 13:21).
A JUDGE (John 12:48). The rejected Word of God, with its faithful descriptions of sin, its warnings and its invitations, will be an awful judge.
AN INVITATION FOR SALVATION “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be Saved.” (Romans 10:13).
My friend, you have just read a list of things unsaved people have according to God’s Word. The twelfth item, “An Invitation for Salvation,” is good only for one day at a time (II Cor. 6:2) because tomorrow may never come. To be saved means to receive Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. To become saved, all you need to do is realize that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23), confess to God the Father this fact, ask for forgiveness of those sins and for Jesus Christ to come into your heart. According to Hebrews 9:26; 10:12, Jesus Christ has already paid the penalty for our sins by shedding His blood (Heb. 9:11-14). Will you confess your sins to God and be forgiven (I John 1:9), and receive His gift of eternal life (Ephesians 2:8)? If you will do this, believing in your heart that God has raised Christ from the dead (Romans 10:9; I Peter 1:3), then according to God’s Word you will be saved for all eternity (John 3:16; I John 5:11-13).
Unsaved person, until you have definitely accepted Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, you have definitely rejected Him. I plead with you, for the sake of your soul, receive Jesus Christ, NOW! " http://www.pfbaptistpress.org/32.htm
NOT EVERYONE
THE UNSAVED CAN ALSO LOOK LIKE THEY ARE SAVED
A person may say, "I am saved by grace. I believe in Jesus. I teach the Gospel." Yet, even though they say these things and even teach the Gospel:
IF THEY DO NOT LOVE THEIR BROTHER IN CHRIST, they will perish.
IF THEY ARE NOT BORN-AGAIN, they will perish.
IF THEY DO NOT FORGIVE THEIR BROTHER IN CHRIST, they will perish.
IF THEY ARE NOT CONVERTED AND DO NOT BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, they will perish.
IF THEY DO NOT DENY THEMSELVES, AND PICK UP THEIR CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW JESUS, they will perish.
The list goes on and on.They may appear to have repented, been baptized, and be serving God; however, IF these and other things are not also in place, they will perish. True repentance includes all of these.
But understand this. If you are HOT in knowledge and wisdom for Jesus, but are continually around others that teach and believe a lukewarm message, they may cause you to cool down and compromise, rather than you causing them to get hot. It is written, DO NOT BE MISLED: BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER-1 Cor 15:33 NIV.
Remember, Jesus tells this church age, in Revelation 3:18-21-I COUNSEL THEE TO BUY OF ME GOLD TRIED IN THE FIRE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE RICH; AND WHITE RAIMENT, THAT THOU MAYEST BE CLOTHED, AND THAT THE SHAME OF THY NAKEDNESS DO NOT APPEAR; AND ANOINT THINE EYES WITH EYESALVE, THAT THOU MAYEST SEE.
AS MANY AS I LOVE, I REBUKE AND CHASTEN: BE ZEALOUS THEREFORE, AND REPENT.
BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR, AND KNOCK: IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE, AND OPEN THE DOOR, I WILL COME IN TO HIM, AND WILL SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, AND AM SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE. If the world overcomes you, you lose.
Are you busy wiping off the eyesalve, rather than humbling yourself in a childlike manner and anointing your eyes with eyesalve that you may see?
Consider the following message carefully.The unsaved often look like they are saved. Very few people can discern most of them.
Jesus tells us, Lk 11:44-WOE UNTO YOU, SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE ARE AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT, AND THE MEN THAT WALK OVER THEM ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM. Here ministers of the Word are illustrated. They are blind leaders of the blind. They are called "graves." They are leading people to hell. Yet, Jesus tells us, they are as graves which APPEAR NOT. They do not appear to be as graves. They do not appear to be deceivers. They do not appear to be leading people to eternal death. Jesus also tells us that men are not aware of them. Men do not understand these teachers are false ministers. Men do not understand these blind leaders are sending people to hell. These deceivers are so skillful, that they appear to be true. They appear to be real. They appear to be ministers of righteousness. It may be said, they appear to be true followers of Jesus.Some of these teachers are on the radio and can be heard on short-wave around the world. Some are famous evangelists that hold crusades and have altar calls. Some are college professors, teaching in Bible universities. Some are people you would never expect.
Paul tells of these, in 2 Cor 11:13-15-FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKERS, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST.
AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; WHOSE END SHALL BE ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. It may be put this way—it is no great thing if Satan’s ministers look like they are the ministers of righteousness. They often look like they are ministers of Jesus, but they are really wolves in sheep’s clothing.Some of Satan’s ministers call themselves APOSTLES of Christ. Some call themselves prophets. Some are ministers, teachers, preachers, and Bible school teachers. They appear to be true MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Again, most people are unable to discern or understand that they are really ministers of Satan. Many are fully persuaded they are followers of Jesus and follow them to "hell."
The Word of God clearly shows that it is extremely difficult to tell the false ministers, who say they follow Christ, from the real ones. In some cases, it seems nearly impossible.
To the best of my memory and understanding, not long ago, there was a very famous evangelist in the United States. He had a great gift of laying hands on people, and tremendous miracle healings would take place. He could tell people all about themselves and reveal things about someone that no one could know. He could even tell who would sit in certain seats at a crusade, before it ever happened. He had many followers. He could do many miracles. He appeared to be leading many to Jesus. His preaching seemed anointed, yet it was discovered that he was a drunkard and an adulterer. He might have a crusade and then afterwards, go to a hotel to be with another woman. He became an instrument of the devil to tempt another very well-known minister to commit adultery.
He was no longer walking with the Lord, yet he appeared to be saved. He was famous. He had been on television. Huge numbers of people would turn out for his evangelistic crusades, yet he was a grave which appeared not. Men were not aware that he had become a blind leader of the blind. People did not even consider that he was a deceitful worker. Multitudes did not even have a thought that this man was a minister of Satan, who was transformed as a minister of righteousness. Jesus warned that there was a time coming when there would arise those that would show great signs and wonders which could deceive even the elect, if it were possible-ref Mt 24:24.
The unsaved often look like they are saved. Very few people can discern them.
The Scriptures give us many examples of such people. They look and act as if they are truly saved. They look and act like they are followers of Jesus. Understand, these false ministers are positive they are of God. They are positive they are saved. Even Jesus Himself could not cause them to believe they were not saved. Often, Jesus would confront such blind teachers of the Law. He would tell them they were not of His Father; they were not of God. They were of the wicked one; their father was the devil; they would die in their sins, yet they did not believe Him and did not repent.
3-SCRIPTURES SHOWING HOW SOME
UNSAVED LOOK LIKE THEY ARE SAVED: THEY DO THE SAME THINGS AS THOSE THAT AREThe following is a list of examples from the Scriptures of people that were unsaved, yet appeared to be:
Mt 15:8-they draw near to Me (to Jesus) with their mouth; they honor Jesus with their lips
Mt 15:9-they worship Jesus, but they are not saved
Lk 11:39-on the outside they look righteous and holy
Lk 11:42-they tithe on everything
Lk 11:43-they sit in important places; people greet them
Lk 11:44-they do not appear to be unsaved;
men are not aware that they are unsaved;
men come to them;
they appear to be something they are notLk 11:45-they call Jesus, "Master";
they believe they are savedLk 11:46-they have positions of authority;
men obey themLk 11:47-they build the graves of the prophets
Lk 11:52-they have a form of Bible knowledge, yet are not saved
Ro 10:2-they have zeal for God
Lk 13:24-they seek to enter heaven
Lk 13:25-they knock at God’s door;
they pray and call upon the name of the Lord (Mt 7:21)Lk 13:26-they take communion;
He (Jesus) taught in their streetsMt 7:21-they say to Jesus, "Lord, Lord"
Mt 7:22-they prophesy in the name of Jesus;
they cast out devils in the name of Jesus;
they do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus, yet perishLk 18:9-they trusted in themselves that they were righteous
Lk 18:11-they pray long prayers (Lk 20:47);
they give thanks to God;
outwardly, they appear to be sinlessLk 18:12-they fast twice a week;
they give tithes of all they possessLk 20:46-they walk in long robes;
people greet them in the market places;
they have the highest seats in the synagogues;
they sit in the chief rooms at the feasts;
some are writers (or scribes) of the Bible, yet not savedMt 23:2-they are religious leaders;
they sit in Moses’ seatMt 23:3-they have authority to command people what to do
Mt 23:5-they look holy;
they do works that look good;
they dress beautifullyMt 23:7-they love to be called "rabbi" (or may love to be called "the treasurer, the secretary, or the preacher" of this church, or of many churches)
2 Cor 5:12-they glory in appearance
Mt 23:7-10-people consider them to be God’s servants
Mt 23:8-10-people call them, "master, father, rabbi"
Mt 23:15-they travel long distances to save a person
Mt 23:15-they save souls
Mt 23:24-they are careful to judge the smallest things, while overlooking the weightier matters
Mt 23:25-they make sure they appear holy
Mt 23:26,27-they outwardly appear clean and pure;
they appear to be beautifulMt 23:29-they decorate the tombs of the prophets
Mt 23:30-they declare themselves righteous, yet are not saved
Acts 10:2-they fear God
Acts 10:1-8,25-they have a humble attitude
Acts 10:2-they give much alms;
they prayed to God alwaysRev 2:2-these say they are apostles
Acts 16:14-they worship God (Mt 15:9)
Acts 16:17-they direct people to hear God’s servants
2 Cor 11:13-they are apostles, but false;
they are workers, but deceitful;
they transform themselves (their own way) into the apostles of Christ, as His ministers2 Cor 11:15-they are transformed as the ministers of righteousness
Titus 1:16-they profess that they know God
1 Jn 2:4-they say, "I know Him"
1 Jn 2:9-they say they are in the light, yet are not saved
In view of these Scriptures, how then can we possibly discern some of these? How can we determine they are not saved, when even the Bible shows it is nearly impossible to discern some of them? Even some of these unsaved people’s fruits appear to be good from man's perspective—but God knows their heart.
4-MORE EXAMPLES FROM THE SCRIPTURES
OF THOSE THAT APPEAR TO BE SAVED, BUT ARE NOT:Ro 2:17-23-they boast of God
they rely on the Law (or the Bible)
they know His will
they are instructed out of the Law
they are confident they are a guide of the blind
they are confident they are an instructor or teacher
they boast of the LawIsa 1:11-15-they offer sacrifices
they come before God
they bring incense
they keep the Sabbath and new moons
they call solemn meetings
they call assemblies
they spread forth their hands
they make many prayersIsa 29:13-they draw near to God with their mouth
they honor God with their lips
their fear toward God is taught by the precept of menIsa 58:2,3; 65:5; 66:5-they seek God daily
they delight to know God’s ways, as one that did righteousness
they ask ordinances of justice
they delight in approaching to God
they fast
they afflict their soul
they say they are holy
they say, "let the Lord be glorified"; yet are not savedIsa 48:1,2-they swear by the name of the Lord
they make mention of God
they call themselves of the holy city
they stay themselves upon GodEzek 33:31-they come unto God
they sit before God as His people
they hear God’s Word
they show much love with their mouthJere 12:1,2-they prosper
they are happy
they take root
they grow and bring forth fruit
Thou art near in their mouthJere 37:3-they ask God’s people to pray for them (Ac 8:24)
Mic 3:11-they lean upon the Lord
they say, "is not the Lord among us?"
they say, "none evil can come upon us"Jn 8:41-they say, "God is our Father"
Jn 8:4-they call Jesus, "Master"
Jn 8:5-they can quote God’s Word (showing some of them study God’s Word diligently)
they are experts in the Law (or in God’s Word)5-THE ONE WAY
(BY GOD’S WORD AND GOD’S SPIRIT)
TO DISCERN WHO IS SAVED AND WHO IS NOTAgain, in view of these Scriptures, how can we possibly discern some of these? How can we tell they are not saved, when even the Bible shows it is nearly impossible to discern some of them? Even some of these unsaved people’s fruits appear to be good from man's perspective—but God knows their heart.
There is just one key thing that clearly reveals that they are not walking with God. This one key thing is, they would not receive correction from God’s Word, as a little child, AND REPENT. This is the one way that a person which has a good knowledge of the Scriptures, by God’s mercy and God’s Spirit, can discern who is saved and who is not.
We may be able to tell that some people (who appear to be righteous) are not saved, because they are not walking by faith. They make excuses, when the journey gets difficult. This may be a determining factor in recognizing some but not others.
We can recognize those that appear to be righteous, but are not saved, by their fruits. Jesus said, "WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM"-Mt 7:20. Their fruits can include both their attitude and their works. However, in this Laodicean church age, there are few spiritual Christians, who by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (ref Heb 5:14).
We can tell that some people who appear to be righteous are not saved, by their lack of thirst or hunger for God’s Word. If a person is not hungry for the milk of God’s Word that he may grow, then something is wrong. However, many unsaved also hunger to study God’s Word, yet they are not saved, such as the scribes and Pharisees. Remember, John the Baptist’s words, THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM (Jesus), WHICH STANDETH AND HEARETH HIM, REJOICETH GREATLY BECAUSE OF THE BRIDEGROOM’S VOICE (or the voice and words of Jesus)?-Jn 3 A friend of Jesus should rejoice, as the words of God come forth. A friend of Jesus should greatly crave God’s Word, so he can grow. He should want to study and meditate in God’s Word. God’s Word should excite him and bring him joy. A lack of enthusiasm to learn more of Jesus is a very bad indication, as we can see from God’s Word.
We can tell that some people who appear to be righteous are not saved, because of their lack of hunger and thirst for righteousness. Again, this applies to some, but not to all.
Many wrongly believe they are saved, because of emotions, false teachings, being told they are saved by the blind or lukewarm; because of traditions; because they go to a certain church; or many other reasons. It is God’s Word that will judge us.
Again, the one key thing that can reveal a person is not walking with God is, they will not receive correction from God’s Word, as a little child, and repent. They may disagree with the correction, or make excuses, or believe it is wrong; even when it is clearly right. They may justify themselves. They may be sure they are right and the correction does not fit their situation. They might say, "You do not understand my situation." This is a much used saying among deceived people, which Satan puts in their thoughts. The darkness they are in makes it difficult (perhaps, impossible) for them to see the truth. They may say, over and over, they want correction; however, when correction comes in a certain area, they cannot receive it as truth and repent.
The one thing (or common denominator) among all who perish is,
they would not humble themselves and receive correction from Jesus as
He gave them the Word.
They would not (or could not) humble themselves, as a little child before their Father and repent of certain things.
MEEKNESS
HUMBLENESS,
CHILDLIKENESS TO CORRECTION FROM GOD'S
WORD (key sign of walking with God)
AND HOW MUCH YOU WANT AND OBEY
CORRECTION,
BROKENNESS
GODLY SORROW,
LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHER IN
CHRIST WHEN HE CORRECTS YOU IN TRUTH,
FRUITS"
http://www.bibledesk.com/Documents/Bible_Studies/Unsaved_look_like_saved.htm