One way to discern whether or not someone loves Christ is if they demonstrate a love of the brethren.
John 13:35
"35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”"
If there appears to be superficial religiosity without concern for others as a matter of lifestyle, that is only a clue but a very big one that this person was never born again.
A love of scripture and truth, while enjoying teaching and correction is a sign that one loves God's word so much they cannot stand the thought of violating His heart.
An uncomfortable attitude toward the Word of God may show that a person was never born again. Many people play church without any desire for Christ.
An attitude of rebellion when corrected with the Word of God is another important clue. Born again believers are not intimidated or embarrassed to hear or speak the things of God even if there is a rebuke or correction involved. Commonly those who are born again act humble and agree with those correcting. The believers I know would be more likely to confess a wrong attitude or action before anyone confronts them. They have a sensitive conscience that hates to harm anyone else.
Another clue is the attitude of dominance and intimidation to control others. When we see someone like this we are witnessing a false Christianity of power grabbing. The need to control others is not godly, in fact it is against everything Christ taught.
Matthew 10:33
"33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
Embarrassment at the mention of Christ shows a covert denial of Him.
2 Timothy 2:12
"If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;"
We teach, we train, we love and we sacrifice of ourselves, this is the common lifestyle of the born again believer.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Don't Take it Personally, Its not against You its against God!
Eileen Heuston said this: I thought it was very good and wanted to post it where everyone could see it.
"They view GOD and Truth the way they want it to be. Their false gospel is summed up by the word "nice". "God is nice so we should be nice. Just be nice and let people believe what they want". The giveaway is ALWAYS that they don't know the Bible at all. Anyone who truly loves God and is a child of God (John 1:12-13) will love His Word. They spend time on and devour food, entertainment, their kids...cos they love them. They don't spend time on and devour the Word simply because they do not love it ("man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God")"
Gwendolyn's response:
"Yes Eileen, they love His word to find out His mind to obey. I know many people who know the bible well to be able to say they do but they twist it, taking things out of context to allow themselves to disobey it without guilt."
I know many people who are proud of how much they think they know but resistant to any correction that would bring a better understanding or greater wisdom. They just like their error and will not listen to truth.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
Do not be discouraged by all this, God told us it would happen in the last days. We need not take anything personally, its not about us at all, its their rebellion against Christ.
"They view GOD and Truth the way they want it to be. Their false gospel is summed up by the word "nice". "God is nice so we should be nice. Just be nice and let people believe what they want". The giveaway is ALWAYS that they don't know the Bible at all. Anyone who truly loves God and is a child of God (John 1:12-13) will love His Word. They spend time on and devour food, entertainment, their kids...cos they love them. They don't spend time on and devour the Word simply because they do not love it ("man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God")"
Gwendolyn's response:
"Yes Eileen, they love His word to find out His mind to obey. I know many people who know the bible well to be able to say they do but they twist it, taking things out of context to allow themselves to disobey it without guilt."
I know many people who are proud of how much they think they know but resistant to any correction that would bring a better understanding or greater wisdom. They just like their error and will not listen to truth.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 "…2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. 4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
Do not be discouraged by all this, God told us it would happen in the last days. We need not take anything personally, its not about us at all, its their rebellion against Christ.
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