'Mass production' of 'believers' through watering down of the Gospel (omitting conviction of sin and repentance) has a lot to do with the quality of the product – low quality of love for the Lord, absence of zeal for turning away from sin, unwilling to suffer anything for the Lord, etc. It is dishonest to the truth to excuse this condition of present day believers by hoping that grace would cover all that is lacking! Don't we need to realise that if we are going with a false hope that we have become children when actually we are still headed to hell, that would be the worst self-deception of all?
How did Paul know that the Thessalonians were truly converted? When he saw their response to the preaching of the Gospel – with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit and their willingness to face tribulation with joy (1Th.1:4-6). It was easy to see that something powerful had happened in their lives that changed their lives around.
When the true Gospel is preached, where the Saviour is presented as coming to save people bound in sin, to forgive us and to change our lives to that which is pleasing to the Lord in every aspect, those who become convicted of their sins and sinfulness repent and turn to the Lord with hope. Then the Holy Spirit works a miracle in their hearts, giving them a new heart and writing His laws upon their heart and mind (Ez.36:26,27). That is how Christians are born.
Compare this with people now who repeat prayers asking Jesus to come into their lives and they are not even sure if anything has happened. They have not even seen themselves as sinners deserving hell, they have not chosen to turn away from sin in their lives, and they have not decided to obey and follow Jesus at all costs. They have not heard that such things are essential for Christians.
Many such people join churches where some of them who have natural talents for singing or speaking are immediately given prominent roles. Now these people will never again think they need to repent and be converted!
Because things like this occur frequently, can I request those who read this to examine yourself and see how things are with you? If the Holy Spirit convicts you, don't brush it aside as an accusation of the Devil. Acknowledge your sins to God, ask for forgiveness and ask Him to help you not to sin again. We may fall, but a true Christian does not want to sin (1Jn.3:9). God will forgive us when we ask Him when we fall (1Jn.1:9), but those who take advantage of this and go on sinning have not really known God. They have not become children of God, and they are on their way to hell even if they follow many external 'Christian' practices, including baptism. Our eternal destiny is what is involved. Let us not jeopardise it by giving all kinds of excuses for ourselves.
God wants all people to be saved (1Ti.2:4). While the Gospel is preached by some, a false gospel is also being preached by many that has already misled many (Mt.13:25).