First, we ask ourselves these questions: Was I ever drawn to Christ, and then recognized Him as my redeemer? Did I ever fully consecrate myself – my life, my time, my talents, my influence, my all – to God?

If we can answer yes, then we should look for evidences that we have received His spirit in our lives. One manifestation of the spirit’s work in us is our zeal and energy to serve God with our natural bodies. Romans 8:11, “He (God) that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (energize) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.” This scripture means that the new creature begotten by the holy spirit will energize our bodies in the service of spiritual things. (It will not heal our bodies nor give us supernatural energy.) 

Additionally, the new creature longs to pray, to have fellowship with his brethren, desires to study God’s word, and rejoices in following God’s will for their lives. “I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart,” Psalm 40:8. We will learn to follow our Savior through self-denial and cross-bearing rather than to follow our own wills. 

These evidences of spirit begettal will grow as we mature as Christians. Romans 8:16,17, “The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and, if children, then heirs of God – heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ….”

But how can we know we have attained the beautiful degree of character development to achieve sainthood?

We would say, we cannot. The Apostle Paul said, “I judge not mine own self,” 1 Corinthians 4:3. So, should we constantly feel anxiety as to our reward? No. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7. If God has not given the anxiety, then who has? Think about it. 

Instead, let “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding… guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7.

We serve and obey God because God is wonderful. As was written of Jesus, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” John 2:17 & Psalm 69:9. Let us follow His example. And remember: “we are His workmanship,” “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge,” “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure,” “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it,”   Ephesians 2:10; 3:19; Philippians 2:13; 1:6.