I am always suspect and dismayed when a Christian marries a person who became a Christian to marry them and they have no enthusiasm for the Lord, not even enough to mention to others their newfound faith.
For a time the "new Christian" is all excited about the potlucks, the activities, and maybe even the music, but they have little desire to grow in holiness through prayer and study of the Word of God. They have no eagerness to know the heart of God. It is common for these kinds of converts to eventually walk away from the faith. The burden of pretending becomes too much for them and they often revert back to their old selves, which really never left, it was lurking inside while the play-acting on the outside was occurring, fooling many around them.
Without a dramatic change in someone's life, lacking evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, it is likely the person never became born again.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
When we speak to these people about the Lord they act embarrassed and have nothing to say except to endure our ramblings about Christ.
Many people join the group of Christians to be included but have no desire for Christ.
Lots of people think joining a Christian club will make others think they have become a better person. Perhaps they even hope they will become a better person by joining a church group. What they do not realize is that joining a Christian group does not make anyone a Christian.
When superficial Christianity is based on someone having a good time, feeling good about themselves and fitting in with others who are enjoying themselves in the group, we can be sure we are observing a cultural Christian who is not born-again.
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"
Those who have been born again authentically are those who have confessed their sinfulness and desire to be changed by Christ into a new person. These people have accepted that they cannot gain heaven without Christ and that hell is their destiny if they do not trust in Him.
Those who have trusted Christ have a completely changed mind. They hate the sin they used to love and love God's righteousness that they used to hate., They are no longer the same person anymore. They don't have to try to change, God did that for them.
They need no laws or rules to keep them saved because they were changed and love the commands of God, even willing to die to defend Christ and His principles.
Romans 14:8
"For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."
The proof of the Salvation of a believer is the Fruit of the Spirit and the drivenness to live for Christ. Their demeanor will be so changed that those who knew them before they were born-again will be able to see the change in them.
If there has been no change there has been no salvation. Sadly I know many people just like this, they are covertly hostile toward authentic believers, avoiding them as much as possible. They fear they will be discovered.
We are transformed not reformed. The old is not made better, it is gone completely and the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit comes to live in those whom He has changed.
Hallelujah!!!!!
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