Author: admin

When Christ saves us, we are immediately forgiven, but we are not entirely pure. For though our sins are now completely forgiven, our sinful habits and attitudes may still remain. Before we were Christians, we cared not what God’s standards were. We selfishly pursued whatever evil desires lay within our heart. Our sinful flesh resonated with the temptations and values of the world and we lived our life in conformity to them.

Once we were saved, the Holy Spirit opened our eyes to how evil we had been. What had seemed commonplace and acceptable to us before suddenly appeared heinous in the light of Christ’s holy presence. Having been saved from our sin, we were abhorred at the thought of breathing new life into them.

So we began to live holy and pure lives. We renounced our sinful habits. We invited the Holy Spirit to consecrate us and remove any objectionable habits or practices from our lives. Those who truly belong to Christ will strive to purify themselves. They will allow the Holy Spirit free reign in their lives to remove anything in them that is not like Christ.

People invariably hold an exalted view of themselves. Because we see ourselves in such a favorable light, we assume God must be impressed with us too! Surely God is delighted to claim us as one of His followers!

The truth is that we are sinful creatures of dust. Why our Creator should deign to associate with us, let alone love us, or greater still, die for us, is incomprehensible. Yet He has done that, and more. God has not only forgiven us, and saved us, but He has also adopted us. We are His children and fellow heirs with Christ. Imagine the enormous love that was displayed when our Creator chose to treat us so marvelously! We ought not to fool ourselves. We deserve noting from Him. Yet He freely gives us all things. Oh may we never lose our wonder at the love God has for us! How could we possibly grow discouraged when we know how much almighty God cares for us! What hope that should bring us, knowing that we live our lives while continually basking in God’s infinite love for us. Take a moment to allow this amazing truth to sink deeply into your consciousness: Almighty God loves you.

Christ is fundamentally righteous. Every aspect of His being is holy. Sin is abhorrent to Him. As a result, anyone who abides in Him will be drawn toward righteousness and away from sin.

We will inevitably sin, at times. That is because we still inhabit frail bodies of weak flesh. But it will no longer be our nature. Committing sin will bring us grief, because it offends our Savior. Instead, we will strive to adopt a lifestyle of righteousness. Our inner desire will be to live a life that is pleasing to Christ in every aspect.

Of course, most people attempt at times to be “good.” But the true child of God will adopt a lifestyle of holiness, day in and day out. There are plenty of “good” people in the world, but only those who belong to Christ are righteous. What does the consistent righteousness of your life indicate about your walk with Christ?

Scripture is clear. Christ is returning. And, when He comes, we must be ready. Undoubtedly there will be many who will be caught utterly unprepared at Christ’s return. Despite numerous warnings and sermons they heard, these people assumed there was still adequate time to prepare themselves.

The only way to be fully prepared for Christ’s return, is to abide in Him daily. Spending each day in conscious dependence upon Him, listening for His voice, responding in obedience, and regularly enjoying His presence are all means of ensuring you are not caught by surprise at His coming.

There are numerous signs currently that indicate His return may not be far away. World events seem to be racing to a climax. Threats of violence and destruction loom ever larger on the horizon. Apostasy and blasphemy are becoming increasingly widespread.

This is not the time to be careless in our walk with Christ. This is a time for carefully and meticulously tending our walk with Him. He is coming soon. Will you be ready?

We all know people who once were active Christians who now claim they no longer believe in Christ. At times these people suffered hurt or disappointment in church, and now they angrily dismiss their previous belief. Others became involved in sin and now, to justify their actions, they adamantly claim they no longer accept Christian standards and beliefs.

At times well-meaning friends and family can claim, “Even though he adamantly denies Christ today, I am trusting that his earlier profession of faith still holds and he will go to heaven when he dies.” We vainly hope that, a decision made in their youth will somehow trump the denunciations and apostasy that are occurring today.

Scripture indicates that people cannot profess Christ as Lord unless the Holy Spirit is at work in their lives. Likewise, to denounce Christ is clear indication that the Holy Spirit is not resident in them. A true child of God will not deny Christ’s existence nor will they adamantly refuse to acknowledge Christ’s lordship. But an unbeliever will.

It can be hard to understand why someone who used to be active in church chooses to walk away from the Christian life. These people used to regularly attend Bible studies, sing in the choir, and talk about Christian doctrines. But now they claim to no longer believe Christianity, or they are upset at their church leaders and refuse to attend any longer.

It can be puzzling how people who once were active in their faith can choose to abandon it. Of course, there are many reasons why this occurs. Yet the aged apostle suggested a simple explanation: these people never were true Christians. They were religious. They regularly attended church services. They became familiar with Christian beliefs. They even learned the Christian subculture. But they were never born again.

John suggested that by abandoning God’s people, they finally made manifest what was in their heart. As long as they remained among God’s people, they fooled others into assuming they were spiritually alive. But now that they have gone, it becomes clear that they only had a surface belief, and not a faith that saved and transformed them. They were among us, but they were not of us.

The “world” is the secular, material, temporal, and often immoral values and perspectives that dominate society. The “world” appeals to our flesh. It promises us pleasure without accountability. It affirms our every lustful thought and supports us in every evil desire. The “world” is completely at odds with the standards of holy God.

When we become Christians, we are made into an entirely new creature (2 Corinthians5:17). Nevertheless, we remain in the world. We are in the world but we do not belong to it. Some, however, succumb to the constant allurement of the world around them. They gaze upon the temporal pleasures and temptations until they embrace them.

The problem is that the world is at enmity with God. God hates the values and behaviors the world promotes. Therefore, to love the world is to love what God hates. Loving the world is not a one-time event. It signifies an attitude. It is a lifestyle and a settled opinion. We may all yield to the occasional worldly temptation. But to live your life in love with the world is impossible for those who genuinely love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

How does your love for the things in this world compare to your love for God?

Just as there is clear evidence that reveals whether or not we are disciples of Jesus. So there are tale tell signs that we are not. One of the sinful behaviors most damning to those who claim to be Christians is when they hate their brother. Scripture is clear: you cannot hold bitterness and hatred against your brother or sister and yet truly have the heart of Christ. It’s impossible.

Jesus laid His life down for people who were mocking Him, spitting in His face, and nailing Him to a cross. Despite how people treated Him, Jesus loved and forgave them. You cannot have Him residing within you and yet refuse to forgive someone who has offended you.

Tragically, unforgiveness is one of the most common sins in the church today. God’s people are rife with anger, bitterness, and hatred toward one another. People claiming to be Christians regularly explain how they “can’t” or “won’t” forgive someone for what they have done. Beware! The apostle John claimed one of the clearest signs that someone did not belong to Christ was an unwillingness to forgive others.

Is there anyone in your life today who you have refused to thoroughly, completely, and wholeheartedly, forgive?

Abiding in Christ entails far more than attending church once a week. Walking closely with Christ means that you behave as He does.

To be Jesus’ disciple involves far more than merely believing in Him. It also consists in following Him. The twelve disciples did not simply believe that Jesus existed. Nor did they become disciples by affirming His cause. They were Jesus’ disciples because they followed Him. What Jesus did, they did. Where He went, they went.

Over time, Jesus’ perspective became their perspective. His heart became their heart. You could tell someone who was Jesus’ disciple because they acted like Him.

Today, there are those who act nothing like Christ, yet they claim to be His disciple. There ought to be a clear, distinguishing characteristic of those who belong to Jesus. They should act, live, speak, and behave just like Him.

One of the simplest ways to know if you are a genuine child of God or not is this: do you obey Him? This would seem obvious. Yet there are many today who adamantly insist that although they do not live the life they know God wants them to, they are still believers.

There is an insidious heresy that proclaims it is possible to live in constant disobedience to Christ and yet to be heaven-bound when you die. Of course, no one is perfect. Everyone sins at times. Yet those who truly belong to Christ will have a desire within them to please God and to do what He says. When they fall short, they will feel convicted and know they are dishonoring God.

However, for those who willingly and knowingly reject God’s clear instructions day after day without any sense of conviction or remorse, it is doubtful that they have ever truly been born again. They may have prayed a prayer or signed card some time in their past, but the evidence that it “took” is missing.

If you want assurance you are a born again, child of God, you don’t have to peer back into your distant past to remember a hasty decision you made as a child. Just ask yourself the question: am I doing what I know God wants me to today?