The TEST of YOUR Discipleship!

[WISDOM]

YOU and I may not be able to tell the EXACT time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of our conversion; BUT this does not prove you aren't (John 3:8). It always amazes me when fellow Believers feel they can tell if someone is saved or not! As if our LORD/SAVIOUR needs us to think for HIM!

Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the HOLY SPIRIT of our heavenly FATHER in HIS work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which NO HUMAN EYE can see, begets a new life in the soul of a man/woman/child. HE creates a new being in the image of HIMSELF. While the work of the SPIRIT is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. (John 14:15-18)

If the heart has been renewed by the HOLY SPIRIT, the life will bear witness to the fact. And it's not where YOU or I can always "see" it. A change WILL BE seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. And more than often this takes time and patience, along with many, MANY personal victories AND failures along the way. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, NOT by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, BUT by the tendency of the habitual words and acts. Now....I am ALSO AWARE that there may be an outward correctness done WITHOUT the renewing power of CHRIST. There's alot of "fake Christians" out here. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. Yes...these things I am aware of. BUT....CHRIST knows the true and faithful heart! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

This I do know.....those who truly belong to CHRIST will bring forth the fruit of the SPIRIT (Galatians 5:22-23). If YOU are HIS, you will no longer fashion YOURSELF according to the former lusts of this life, but by the faith of the SON of GOD you will follow in HIS steps, reflect HIS character, and purify yourself even as HE is pure. The things YOU once hated, YOU now love....the things YOU once loved, you now hate/dislike. The proud and self-assertive become weak and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. A true disciple will not seek the "outward adorning", BUT " the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle AND quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:3-4). There is NO evidence of GENUINE repentance, UNLESS it works REFORMATION.

The loveliness of the character of our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST will be seen in HIS followers/disciples. The unconsecrated heart CANNOT originate or produce it. It is found ONLY in the heart where JESUS reigns. It is the grace of GOD alone, THROUGH FAITH, that can make YOU and I holy. Our works have NOTHING to do with our redemption. OBEDIENCE is the true sign of discipleship (1 John 5:3; 2:4). We DO NOT earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the FREE GIFT of GOD, to be received by faith. That so-called faith in CHRIST which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to GOD, is not faith, but PRESUMPTION.

If eternal life were granted on any other condition short of this, then the happiness of the entire universe would be imperiled. The way for sin would be opened, with all its train of woe and misery, to be immortalized. CHRIST's character stands in place of YOURS and MINE, and WE are accepted before GOD just as if we had not sinned. HE abides in YOUR heart by faith. YOU are to maintain this connection with CHRIST by faith and the continual surrender of YOUR WILL to HIM; and so long as YOU do this, HE will work in YOU to will and to do according to HIS (not yours/mine) good pleasure (Galatians 2:20). THIS is the REAL TEST of YOUR Discipleship!

So we have NOTHING in ourselves of which to boast. We have NO ground for self-exaltation. As a disciple of CHRIST, our ONLY ground of hope is in the righteousness of our LORD/SAVIOUR imputed to us, and in that wrought by HIS SPIRIT working in AND through us. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

When we speak of faith, there is a distinction that should be borne in mind.......there is a kind of belief that is wholly distinct FROM true faith. The existence and power of our FATHER, the truth of HIS Word, are FACTS that even Satan and his hosts CANNOT at heart deny. The Bible says that "the demons BELIEVE - and tremble!" (James 2:19), but this IS NOT faith. You see.....where there is not only a belief in GOD's Word, but a SUBMISSION of the will to HIM; where the heart is yielded to HIM, the affections FIXED upon HIM, THERE is FAITH, faith that works by love, and purifies the soul. THAT is what is emitted by HIS true disciple. Through this faith the spiritual heart is renewed IN THE IMAGE of GOD. And the heart that in its unrenewed state IS NOT subject to the law of GOD, neither in deed can be, now delights in its Holy precepts, exclaiming with the Psalmist, "Oh, how I love YOUR law! It is my meditation ALL the day." (Psalm 119:97). Keep this in mind: the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the Law is FULFILLED in us, "who do not walk according to the flesh, BUT according to the SPIRIT" (Romans 8:1).

There are those of YOU reading this who have known the pardoning love of CHRIST, and who I have received PMs from who really desire to be fully known as children of GOD, yet YOU realize that your character (like mine) is imperfect, your life faulty, and at times YOU are ready to DOUBT whether YOUR heart has been renewed by the HOLY SPIRIT. To such I would say, DO NOT draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of JESUS because of our shortcomings and mistakes; BUT we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by Satan and his demons, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected by our FATHER. JESUS intercedes for YOU and I on a daily basis. HE is our HIGH PRIEST in the Heavens, and knows what we go through in this life. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

HE sits at the right hand of GOD, and never turns HIS back on HIS true disciples (1 John 2:1....John 16:27). HE has begun a good work in YOU, and will carry it forward to HIS day....So NEVER let ANYONE tell you otherwise. The closer YOU come to HIM, the MORE faulty you will appear in YOUR OWN EYES; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to HIS perfect nature. As I told one poster who emailed me, this is the evidence that Satan's DELUSIONS have lost their power in your life, and that the vivifying influence of the HOLY SPIRIT is arousing YOU! No deep-seated love for CHRIST can dwell in the heart that DOES NOT realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of JESUS CHRIST will admire HIS divine character; but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakeable evidence that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of our LORD/SAVIOUR.

As disciples, the less we see to esteem in ourselves, the MORE we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and loveliness of our SAVIOUR!

[traveller]

I don't know why Brother, but your post made me think of this song, which I will share.

Who Am I (Casting Crowns)

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love

and watch me rise again

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

I am Yours

Whom shall I fear

Whom shall I fear

'Cause I am Yours

I am Yours

[refugepsa91]

:il: ah trav I love that song...

Great post Wisdom....I think alot of people are going to benefit from it. I know I did...seems like I am constantly falling here and there....I just Praise Jesus that he keeps picking me up and wiping me off, then pats my back and tells me to keep going.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[hippo's hope is HIM]

Thanks brother. This thread speaks to me.

HE has begun a good work in YOU, and will carry it forward to HIS day....So NEVER let ANYONE tell you otherwise. The closer YOU come to HIM, the MORE faulty you will appear in YOUR OWN EYES; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to HIS perfect nature. As I told one poster who emailed me, this is the evidence that Satan's DELUSIONS have lost their power in your life, and that the vivifying influence of the HOLY SPIRIT is arousing YOU! No deep-seated love for CHRIST can dwell in the heart that DOES NOT realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of JESUS CHRIST will admire HIS divine character; but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakeable evidence that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of our LORD/SAVIOUR.

And Trav, that is one of my favorite songs. It makes me just really think, man How awesome is our God.

Thank you for your threads wisdom.

[stevehut]

YOU and I may not be able to tell the EXACT time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of our conversion...

Are you married? Do you know how that happened?

Did you graduate from college? Do you know how that happened?

I sure hope so.

How can you possibly not know how you became a Christian?

[WISDOM]

Traveller:

Your words and heart are always kind Sis, and I appreciate you for all you've been to me. The words of the song are truthful in themselves and say it all for our loving SAVIOUR!

Angel:

It's been a long time since we've spoken in general, but your words have always been thoughtful and kind. They bring a sweet aroma to this Board!

Hippo:

Thank you for appreciating and receiving our FATHER's outreach. All the credit for everything good done on this Board belongs to HIM. I am blessed to be a part of it and in HIS service.

Steve:

I don't understand the nature of your post, but I hope you appreciated the thread in its entire context. Thank you bro for your response.

[traveller]

YOU and I may not be able to tell the EXACT time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of our conversion; BUT this does not prove you aren't (John 3:8). It always amazes me when fellow Believers feel they can tell if someone is saved or not! As if our LORD/SAVIOUR needs us to think for HIM!

Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the HOLY SPIRIT of our heavenly FATHER in HIS work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which NO HUMAN EYE can see, begets a new life in the soul of a man/woman/child. HE creates a new being in the image of HIMSELF. While the work of the SPIRIT is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest.

100% Agreement WISDOM! Since God is working in our lives 24/7, since even before we were born, there is absolutely no way we can know all the ways He has moulded us and protected us and shaped the very universe around us. How humbling and awesome it is to realize He is by our side continually and always has been. Even when we didn't love Him, or even acknowledge Him. What an awesome God we serve!

[WISDOM]

Trav:

Couldn't agree with you more, Sis! And isn't it so much more flavorful when we consume the "entire meal", and not just taste a "morsal" of the "appettizer"?!

[BoldlyProclaimingChrist]

Dear Wisdom,

Thank you for posting this wonderful thread. This subject is very powerful and hopefully will inspire a "gut check" across the boards. (so to speak)

bpc

[stevehut]

I don't understand the nature of your post, but I hope you appreciated the thread in its entire context.  Thank you bro for your response.

My point was simple. You said that you can't identify the precise moment of your conversion. I said, how can you not know? If not, then how do you know that you're converted? And yes, I understand the context just fine.