The evidence of salvation is a complete change in lifestyle and desires—the old life passes away and the Holy Spirit makes a person a new creation in Christ.
Scripture says that if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things pass away and all things become new. Les Feldick teaches that while salvation is an event, the evidence is growth in grace seen in changed desires, a visible lifestyle change, and the Holy Spirit's indwelling.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Directly says that being in Christ makes a person a new creature with the old life passing away—the scriptural foundation for a changed lifestyle as evidence.
Romans 8:9 — Directly says the indwelling Spirit is the proof of belonging to Christ.
Scripture is clear that being in Christ produces a visible result. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." The evidence is not a better version of the old life, but a new creation—old ways pass away and new ways take their place. Romans 8:9 gives another test: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." The indwelling Spirit is therefore the proof that a person belongs to Christ. Scripture also contrasts those who walk after the flesh with those who walk after the Spirit (Romans 8:4), showing that a saved person's mindset is set on the things of the Spirit, not the old Adam.
Les Feldick teaches that the evidence of salvation is a complete change in lifestyle. He says a true born-again child of God will become a good citizen visible to friends, relatives, and the whole community (Clip 3). He also looks for what the Apostle Paul described: the things a person once hated become loved, and the things once loved become hated—a total change in desire (Clip 7). Les uses the dead battery analogy to show why outward cleanup is not enough. A battery can be cleaned and made to sparkle, but it is still dead until outside power is applied. In the same way, people cannot clean up their lives as a precondition for salvation; God takes sinners as they are and infuses divine life and power (Clip 5, Clip 0). That divine life then produces the new lifestyle. Les also warns against confusing religious ritual with evidence of salvation. Walking an aisle, church membership, or repeating a procedure is not salvation (Clip 6). The real proof is whether the Holy Spirit dwells in the person (Clip 4). Salvation is an event, but Christian growth is a process; new believers are babes in Christ who grow in grace over time (Clip 1, Clip 2).
Les says that the basic and immediately visible aspect of a true born-again life is being a good citizen—something friends, relatives, and the whole community will see. He also expects a complete change in lifestyle and desire. Using the Apostle Paul's words, he says the things once hated become loved, and the things once loved become hated. This change is not something the believer works up; it comes with the new life.
Les uses a dead car battery to make this point. You can clean the battery with soap and water or wax until it sparkles, but when you turn the key, nothing happens because it is still dead. In the same way, people often think they need to get their act together before becoming a Christian. Les says that is not how it works—God takes sinners exactly where they are and infuses the divine life and power that come with salvation.
Salvation itself is an event; the Christian experience, or sanctification, is a process. Les says a new believer does not suddenly become a mature Christian. Just as a physical infant needs nourishment and protection, a new believer is a babe in Christ who grows in grace and knowledge over time. The change in outlook and desires is present from the start, but maturity is gradual.
Les says the criteria and proof of belonging to Christ is the Holy Spirit's indwelling. If the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are solid; if not, you are on thin ice. He also warns that people cannot simply take these things in one ear and out the other, dress it up for an hour on Sunday, and hope to spend eternity with God. Genuine salvation is not a rote rite but a work of the Holy Spirit in a person's heart.
A New Creation in Christ
Les explains that being in Christ makes someone a new man; you cannot just fix up the old nature. He compares the dead spirit in Adam to a dead car battery that needs outside power.
Salvation Then Growth
Les separates the event of salvation from the process of sanctification, showing that new believers begin as babes in Christ and need time to mature.
Changed Outlook and Desires
Les says a person who genuinely believes becomes totally different in outlook and desires—not by working for it, but as a result of God's saving power. Like a physical baby, a new believer needs nourishment and protection.
Daily Life Is Visible Evidence
Les says the basic visible aspect of a true born-again life is good citizenship—something friends, relatives, and the community see.
The Holy Spirit Is the Proof
Les says the criterion and proof of belonging to Christ is the indwelling Holy Spirit. A person cannot simply dress up for church and expect eternity with God.
Dead Battery Illustration
Les explains that cleaning up a dead battery does not start the car, just as cleaning up our lives does not make us acceptable to God. Only God's infusing divine life brings power.
Genuine Faith vs. Rote Ritual
Les rejects church membership, walking an aisle, and rote repetition as evidence of salvation. Genuine salvation is coming under the Holy Spirit's power and believing the gospel with all the heart.
A Total Change in Loves and Hates
Les says what he looks for in a new believer is a complete change in lifestyle and desire—the things once hated become loved, and the things once loved become hated.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is the foundational verse showing that salvation results in a new creation, not a reformed old one.
Romans 8:9: But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
This verse gives the indwelling Holy Spirit as the proof that a person truly belongs to Christ.
Romans 8:4: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
It contrasts walking after the flesh with walking after the Spirit, which is how a saved person's new lifestyle is described.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This verse identifies the gospel as the power of God that saves and begins the transformation in a believer.
Les Feldick says no. He does not accept people simply walking an aisle or going through a rote church procedure as evidence of salvation. Genuine salvation is coming under the power of the Holy Spirit and believing the gospel with all one's heart.
No. Les teaches that salvation is an event and the Christian experience is a process. A new believer is like a babe in Christ, needing tender care, nourishment, and protection. Growth in grace takes time.
Les says a true born-again child of God will be a good citizen, visible to friends, relatives, and the community. There should be a complete change in lifestyle and desire—the things once hated become loved, and the things once loved become hated.
Watch the Teaching: Does the Holy Spirit Live in You? Romans 8:9 Explained