Do we have a “Genuine Conversion” Testing Kit?

Do the scriptures teach us to determine if someone’s apparent conversion is genuine?  A great way to answer such a question is to simply look up “genuine” in the Strong’s Concordance and then find all the verses in which the phrase “genuine conversion” is used. Depending on how necessary discussion of this concept is to communication of the Gospel, there may be a few, or there may be several occurrences of the phrase. 

Then seek to understand each of these verses in context and you should be a good bit down the road to having a scriptural view of “genuine conversion” and perhaps you will even have a good take on whether you can, or should, determine the genuineness of apparent conversions.

If you are sure the concept is critical and you don’t find it discussed under “genuine conversion” then you may have to adjust the wording of your search. For example “genuine conversion” may not be nearly as well addressed as “genuine faith.”  Sometimes, however, when a topic we are emphasizing is not really emphasized in scripture then we are dealing with a misplaced emphasis on our part.

One passage does come to mind as contextualized by author and recipient facing the fact that someone’s faithfulness to Christ has aborted. In this passage we find assurance that the authenticating seal remains firm.              

...nevertheless the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows  those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness (2 Tim. 2:19).”