What are the first marks of true salvation?
A genuine salvation shows itself first in a changed lifestyle, changed appetites, and a changed thought process. The believer is no longer controlled by the world, the flesh, and the devil but by the Spirit of God. God-given love then operates through the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the law.
Les teaches that one of the first marks of true salvation is a change in lifestyle. It is also a change in appetites and a change in the whole thought process. The reason is that whereas the believer was once under the control of the world, the flesh, and the devil, now he is under the control of the Spirit of God. This connects with Romans 8, where believers walk not after the flesh or old Adam but after the Spirit, and the Spirit becomes their guideline for living. Les also points to Romans 13, where love fulfills the law. Nothing we can do in ourselves fulfills it, but when the love of God is imparted through the power of the Holy Spirit and works in our life, then the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us.