THE TRUE CHRISTIAN

The true Christian

Most people that I know have their greatest joy or pleasures in this world rather than Jesus Christ Himself. "For all that is in the world,the lust of the flesh,and the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life,is not of the Father,but of the world." 1st John 2:16. This verse covers all three areas of sin. Jesus Christ wants our focus on Him.

The natural man will always strive for worldly goods. His lust has no real end because the love of God is not resting in his spirit. We were created by God to pursue. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1st Cor.2:14. The reason why Jesus Christ is not revealing Himself to them is because they never came to Him. They are not pursuing Jesus Christ because the truths of God are foolish to them. The only other way to go is the world.

You only have to talk to the natural man for a short period of time to see what is in his or her spirit. "For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." James 1:23. I think it is in most cases good to try and reach out to this person because they are walking in darkness and need the Light.

"Then Jesus said unto them, yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while you have the light, less darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knowest not whither he goest." John 12:35.

People that live this way may not realize this but they are walking in pride because their life is apart from God. "But He giveth more grace. Whereforth He saith, God resiseth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6. To get grace we have to humble ourselves before God. If people walk their own way, why should God give them grace?

Our heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.He shed His blood and took our place so we could have eternal life.Jesus Christ has an open door for all who will seek Him. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice,and open the door, I will come in to him,and will sup with him,and he with me." Revelation 3:20.

Those that accept Jesus Christ into their hearts by faith can learn from the Holy Spirit, but even at that the Lord will never force anybody to obey the principles in His Word.

The true Believer is saved by grace through faith. "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God (9) Not of works, lest any man should boost." Eph 2:8. Since this is the way God set up salvation through His Son Jesus Christ we have no boasting rights.

We are also kept by grace through faith. "By whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2. Once again there is no pride in this approach.

I like this next verse."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1st John 1:9.I am going to fail and fall but the fact that God promises to forgive me gives me great comfort.

"Your adversity the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1st Peter 5:8. The good news is the Bible also says,"Submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7. The devil is there to devour my life but Jesus Christ is inside me to reveal Himself through my spirit.

True Believers who love the Lord will worship Jesus Christ in spirit and truth. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24. The Believer should give thanks to the Lord in everything and worship Him.

"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." It comforts me that the Holy Spirit will not only guide me into truth but our worship will flow in spirit and truth. Our earnestly does come from God but we can give it back to Him in spirit and truth.

When we are in Heaven think about what we will be doing. Since we are saved by grace through faith nobody will be able to say,"I am in Heaven because of what I did." All the glory will go to Jesus Christ. We will be worshiping God in spirit and truth which tells me that our earnestly and sincerity will be real and honest. The fact that we will be carrying out our assigned tasks in Paradise shows me that we will be one with God through Jesus Christ in our salvation,worship and obedience.

Many Christians ask, "What direction should I go into?" Make sure you are saved by accepting Jesus Christ into your heart by grace through faith. Allow God to give you the earnestly to worship Him and ask God to give you the strength and direction to obey the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit. If we are headed down or should I say up this path, how can we go wrong?

Bob D.