Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character

Gardiner Spring (1785-1873) tackles the difficult question of How do I know I am saved? Spring’s thesis is that there are distinguishing traits to show that one has been saved, traits that indicate God has begun a good work in the believer. Relying on scripture passages such as 1 John 5:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Matthew 7:21 and others, the author insists those who claim to be saved must do as Paul suggests and examine themselves to prove they are “in the faith.” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Spring has written eighteen short, practical chapters to show the Christian how to prove inwardly that one has been saved. He is cautious to remind us that our works must be grounded and our hopes riveted on the cross of Christ. The conclusion clearly states Mr. Spring’s purpose: that the reader becomes devoted unreservedly to Jesus.

What must I do to be saved? How may I know that I am saved? It is obvious that these are two different questions, and it is just as clear that the Bible gives a specific answer to each of them.

In answer to the first question, the Biblical directive is unmistakable. One must repent of sin and believe in Jesus Christ the Lord if he is to be saved (Acts 20:21). But the second question demands a different answer. How one may know that he has truly repented and believed is not a question touching the ground or means of one’s acceptance before God, but rather the proof and evidence of one’s saving relationship to Him in Christ. The Bible’s answer to this question is that we must continually examine our spiritual lives. Accompanying that command the same Scriptures lay out objective evidence of the fruits of true repentance and faith.

Great confusion and subsequent delusion has flooded the professing church in our generation through a failure to distinguish the difference in the Bible’s answer to these two questions.

In most Evangelical circles today anyone who asks the question “How may I know that I am saved and that I have truly repented and believed?” is encouraged to simply rest on a text which declares that all believers are saved. But this is circuitous reasoning and fails to come to grips with the real issue.

The answer given to this vital question by author Gardiner Spring proceeds along a different line of evidence, one which has far more of the sanction of the Bible and of historic Christianity. His thesis is that there are what he terms “distinguishing traits” evidenced in the true sons of God, which traits are the accumulative indication that God has begun a good work in the soul. Thus he begins his essays by stating some of those things which are not an evidence that we have been savingly joined to Christ, and he concludes his treatise by setting forth those traits of life and character which form conclusive evidence of the work of God in the heart of a man.

Relying on scripture passages such as 1 John 5:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Matthew 7:21 and others, the author insists those who claim to be saved must do as Paul suggests and examine themselves to prove they are “in the faith.” (2 Cor. 13:5). It is also apparent that the author drew heavily from the basic outline and concepts as set forth in Jonathan Edwards’ classic work on The Religious Affections. In fact, one might say that Dr. Spring has taken the cream of Edwards’ immortal work and made it accessible and readable for the average layman.

Spring has written eighteen short, practical chapters to show the Christian how to prove inwardly that one has been saved. He is cautious to remind us that our works must be grounded and our hopes riveted on the cross of Christ. The conclusion clearly states Mr. Spring’s purpose: that the reader becomes devoted unreservedly to Jesus.