Evidence Of Salvation I

 

“Beloved let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God. He that loves not knows not God, for God is love. Beloved LET us love one another.” 1 John 4:7-8

We are a vessel and we are implanted with His Spirit when we accepted Christ. Then in due time we begin to see the evidence that He is there. If the Holy Spirit was a mere idea, or rule, then the only evidence would be if the person decided to have a shift in their behavior due to their idea or rule.

 

 

 

But it is different when He changes us…because He permeates us...and we become more like Him...then we begin bearing fruit because that is what the Holy Spirit does. In time His love begins showing it's face...or the person never had the Spirit of God in the first place…not really. Because, again, that Spirit IS alive within us and His whole reason for being inside us is to empower change and then bearing all kinds of wonderful fruit in every area of our lives.

 

 

 

 

Galatians 5: 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with (imitate) the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

 

 

I know that there are folks who go forward at alter-calls because they see everyone else is doing it…or because the emotions are high. Then they mouth the words…but the seed falls on either shallow, or thorny ground…or out in the open where the birds gobble it up right away. (Matt.13)

 

I know of many people who intellectually accept the fact or idea of Christ…or even follow Christ as a good man or prophet. But the Spirit of God has never really entered their lives. 2 Tim. 3:5 “They have a form of Godliness, but deny the power that will make them Godly.”

It comes down to this….that at some point in our Christian life it is important to, “Examine yourselves to make sure you are in the faith. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is in you, it means you have failed the test.” 2 Cor. 13:5

 

　
Immaturity can cause a person to act unlike they have the Holy Spirit...because even though the Holy Spirit enters and empowers, we do not at all become 'Stepford Wives' (or men:) when we are converted. We still have every ability to disobey the still small voice within us. So if we are choosing to keep our eyes on things not of God, then unfortunately our behavior will follow. Therefore if the Holy Spirit is inside, the disobedience cannot go on for very long before God must discipline or the person must accept Christ if they realize they really hadn't accepted Him before.

 

 

 

However, when we do decide to let the Holy Spirit be in control, we must take that step of obedience and "fix our eyes on Jesus", then thankfully our behavior will follow and then the Holy Spirit empowers us to live there in His light. So, to imitate, as the following scripture states, we must have our eyes 'fixed' on who we are trying to imitate...correct? So, what actions and characteristics come from God and which ones do not? Eph. 5:1-14 -

 

 

 

1Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usa and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

 

6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

 

10Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, let your light expose them. 12It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14for the light makes everything visible.

 

Part II to follow soon...