by Anthony Burgess

There are certain characters and signs of grace whereby a man may know whether he is in a state of grace or not. This is a point well worth discussion, and I know of nothing more necessary at this time. There are many who wholly reject ministers who preach about signs of grace, and they discourage Christians from using such a method for self-examination. Yet it is equally necessary to exercise great prudence in preaching on this subject, for it is a high art for a minister to apply these signs wisely and a great skill for a Christian to examine himself properly, so as not to be misled into either false assurance or unnecessary despair. Therefore, to unfold this doctrine more precisely, consider these introductory particulars.

Here is a summary of the 12 Marks of Grace

1. The Reality of Grace as a Supernatural Work
   Grace is not a mere notion but a real and supernatural work of God. It fundamentally transforms the soul, just as regeneration is likened to a new creation and resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17). True grace changes a person’s nature, making him a new creature in Christ.

2. Grace is Discerned by Its Effects
   Since the essence of grace is not immediately visible, it must be known by its outward effects and fruits. Just as natural life is evidenced by movement, spiritual life is discerned by obedience, holiness, and love for God.

3. Distinguishing True Grace from False Confidence
   Many external signs of religion (such as moral behavior, religious profession, or church membership) do not necessarily indicate true grace. Scripture warns that many have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3:5).

4. The Marks of Grace Include Both Negative and Positive Signs
   While avoiding sin is necessary (Psalm 1:1), true grace is primarily demonstrated through positive obedience and love for righteousness. The Pharisee in Luke 18:11 boasted of what he did not do, yet godliness is not mere avoidance of evil but a pursuit of holiness.

5. The Properties of Grace Differ in Their Function
   Some marks of grace serve as indicators of a believer’s new nature, while others serve as confirmatory signs. A Christian may have grace but not yet perceive it, either due to sin, unbelief, or God’s temporary withdrawal.

6. Grace is Revealed in Various Signs, Not Just One
   Scripture attributes salvation to various marks—fear of God, poverty of spirit, repentance, love, and patience. If a believer perceives even one of these in himself, he may rightly conclude that all other fruits of grace are present, even if he does not yet feel them.

7. True Marks of Grace Should Not Be Rejected Because Hypocrites Deceive Themselves
   Just as false confidence does not negate true assurance, so also hypocrites misapplying the signs of grace does not make those signs invalid. The wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25) both claimed to await the Bridegroom, but only those with true grace endured to the end.

8. Marks of Grace Must Be Understood in Their Proper Context
   The effects of grace function as signs of salvation, but they cannot provide assurance apart from the witness of the Spirit. Just as stars have light but do not dispel the night, so also gracious works testify to salvation but do not replace faith in Christ.

9. Marks of Grace Must Never Supplant Faith in Christ
   Believers must not look so much to themselves for evidences of grace that they neglect to exercise faith in Christ directly. It is possible to rejoice in the signs of grace while forgetting the greater joy of Christ Himself—as if Jacob had delighted only in Joseph’s chariots rather than in seeing Joseph himself (Genesis 45:26-28).

10. Scripture Assigns Salvation to Multiple Signs of Grace
    A believer need not find all marks of grace to be assured of salvation—if even one is discerned, it is evidence that God has begun a good work (Philippians 1:6). Unlike the exclusive marks of Christ and Antichrist, the marks of grace do not require a believer to possess all at once.

11. True Assurance is Not Overturned by the Deception of Hypocrites
    Just as dreamers falsely believe they possess riches while a waking man knows when he truly has them, so also hypocrites may have a false confidence while the true believer knows he is not deceived. The existence of false professions does not invalidate true assurance.

12. Marks of Grace, Like Grace Itself, Are Imperfect in This Life
    Many believers doubt their salvation because they expect to find perfect signs of grace in themselves. However, just as grace itself is imperfect in this life, so also its evidences will bear the marks of imperfection. True assurance comes not from perfection but from the presence of grace—however small or weak it may seem.

Conclusion

The marks of grace are given by God to help believers examine themselves (2 Corinthians 13:5) and to provide assurance of salvation. However, they must always lead us back to Christ, who is the foundation of our confidence. True grace, though sometimes hidden or weak, is always accompanied by the fruit of righteousness (John 15:8), and even the smallest evidence of grace is a sign of God’s saving work in the soul.

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Source:  From the longer article Holding Forth Diverse Propositions and Distinctions About Marks and Assurance