We began our study with the understanding that if we are looking for validation that we are in the process of being saved anywhere other than the one truth Christ expressed that equates with that genuine process of being saved we are in a false hope, and a false hope is no proof of being saved at all. Many will be lost while clinging to a false concept of what constitutes genuine bible salvation. So what is the proof that a person truly is in the process of “being saved”? Christ approval at the judgment will be with those who might not have know much of theology, they might not have even had the opportunity to walk within the walls of an organized church, yet above all they have valued Christ’s principles.
As the influence of the Holy Spirit worked upon their hearts they rejected not its promptings, but responded to His suggestions which began to regulate their thoughts, words, and actions towards His goodness. Unknown to the mind of many heathen in foreign lands the Holy Spirit had already begun the process of bringing them into harmony with heaven, and before they ever met a missionary the Spirit of grace, and kindness was accepted in their own hearts, and they were already proving themselves a blessing to those in their own town, or village. This class described as heathen were the first to respond to the heavenly call by the missionary, and others around them were more open to respond to the calls also because of their confidence in these who had been a blessing to others in their own community.
Therefore it is easy to understand the the fruits of the spirit are the character traits of Jesus. The Holy Spirit brings the characteristics of Christ, and forms them in the believer. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Gal 5:22 – 6”.
Their actions, and words are all the evidence that is needed to reveal that the Holy Spirit has moved upon their hearts. Jesus said, “If a man love me he will keep my sayings…” the if reveals that if we do not love Christ we will seek a way to evade the sayings of Christ that require sacrifice, or the loss of a cherished desire.
Joh_14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Once the presence of Christ abides in the heart the will is set free to choose the best, and reject the rest. Every selfish desire will be seen as sin in it’s ugly, gross form. Sin will be seen for what it truly is “death.” No wonder the bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Pro_18:21 ” What do we love… life or death? You can see it in words and deeds.
This is why men try to find a reason for God’s commandments to be no longer binding even though Jesus said, ” If ye love me, keep my commandments. Joh_14:15″.
The opposite of the workings of the Holy Spirit, are the works of the flesh, and many deceivers today are trying to get people to believe they can still be saved while living in the flesh and while violating God’s commandments. “Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul tells us plain they that do this shall not be saved, but men try to find excuse.
1Co_6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
What about breaking smaller commandments such as lying. “Exo_20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” A false witness is someone who testifies about a fact falsely. They are a liar, and the bible says that no liar will be saved unless he turns, repents, and sins no more. See the verse that plainly state breaking the 9th commandment quoted above will keep you from going to heaven.
Rev_21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Rev_22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Would it not be well to ask, and plead with God to change our hearts into His own character. His promise is sure, Eze_18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
Eze_36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Jer_31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. We are living in a time where we need to relearn that life = love and God’s love is life, and to be apart from God is to be separated from life.
Pro 8:36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Could it be that people would love such a thing? Are the words of Christ absolute truth? Why do men make shut em up cowboy movies, and Charles Bronson, War, crime, murder, hate movies is it not because they love, and people love to watch such things.
We are not to watch and look at these evil things, Psa_119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
The bible symbolizes faith and love as gold, and most have lost it at the end of time therefore the warning: Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Why, because they think they are in good shape, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17 ”
Lam_4:1 How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
Where is the love the reveals the pure principles of heaven…. why has there been such a change in men today, and why is there so little real love… ” And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Mat_24:12 “. Because people have been beholding, and watch too much sin, and iniquity. We need to throw the Television out of the house… get rid of it for, by watching we become changed into what we watch, we imperceptibly accept what we don’t thoroughly reject. This is a bible principle. Look at it, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Co 3:18 “. We are changed into the image we listen to, watch, and read about. What are you becoming…
Sow a thought — reap an act
Reap an act — create a character
Create a character — determine your destiny
By beholding your character is being changed for eternity
If you love me keep my commandments…