Of course you cannot tell 100% if somebody is a Christian. We are not God <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
What I said is that you can tell if somebody IS a Christian if they are in the world, but not OF the world (nothing is failsafe, this is a good litmus test).
However, the flipside is not the case. I.e. if a professed Christian is 'of the world', that person may be a Christian! Or they may not be a Christian.
THus:
For those professing to be Christian:
If in the world and not of the world: most likely Christian
If in the world and of the world: who knows? God alone.
DO I personally assume they are saved? I assume nothing. If they profess to be Christian I am a bit surprised if they are worldly, but I will assume nothing. "Real" Christians are not 100% perfect, none are. And thus some of the world remains in them, in us.
I fail to see what your query about regeneration has to do with this thread, unless by it you are assuming that all Christians are 100% Perfected. Since I have read many of your previous posts, I don't think you adhere to a Perfectionist/Holiness Doctrine. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So now I'm curious.... <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If you could elaborate, that would be outstanding.
Blessings,
Steve
