You Can Be Sure
“And how can we be sure that we belong to Him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what He wants us to? Someone may say, ‘I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.’ But if he doesn’t do what Christ tells him to do, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says He is a Christian should live as Christ did” 1 John 2:3-6
I frequently counsel with people who assure me that they are Christians, but their lifestyles betray their profession. In fact, Jesus refers to this kind of person in His parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30).
“I never knew you; depart from me,” He will say to people whose profession of Christian faith is insincere Matthew 7:23, (NAS). According to the Word of God, these people are confused, and we do them a great injustice if we do not hold before them the mirror of God’s Word. Our Scripture portion today is one of the most effective passages to help open their eyes.
If there has not been a difference in your lifestyle since you professed faith in Christ; if, even in your failure and sin – and we all fail and sin at times – you do not have a desire to obey God and live a life pleasing to Him, it is quite possible that the new birth has not taken place in your life. Test yourself if you are not sure; if you have not done so, you can experience the new birth simply by receiving Christ into your heart today. This applies more directly to carnal Christians.
Bible Reading: 1 John 3:18-24
Today’s Action Point: To be absolutely certain of my relationship with Jesus Christ, I will take spiritual inventory of my life and seek to ascertain whether my lifestyle is consistent with that of the true believer and follower of Christ.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/12/26/bb_sure/
December 26th, 2009 at 10:03 am
You know so many people will be making plans on what they want to do in the New Year. You know I looked at my life in away, wonder if I am living and doing the things that a person following Christ would od and act. Well I must say I am doing a good job, oh yes I have made msitakes but on thise times, I did not turn away from God adn Jesus just worked harder.
Must say how much more wonderful my life is beacuse of being of a follower of Christ.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:36 am
As we grow in the faith we are bound to be confused and uncertain at times, whether we truly love God. But we have the Word as a mirror to look at to correct.
Yet there are a lot of other things that we learn from vaious teachings and preaching that we listen to every day, make us doubt our own convictions.
If we are a praying Christians, then the Great Teacher-the Holy Spirit will clear our doubts.
Thanks for the devotional.