Few people seem to understand the miraculous event that conversion is. If you understand and believe the Word of God, that is to no credit of your own. It is the work of God.
The attached message is from Paul Washer and addresses the wonderful power of God which alone can change the heart of man and open blinded eyes. The only thing I would add to this is that upon truly being born again, the life birthed within you by the Spirit transforms you into a new creation.
You could never work your way into salvation or even try to "live holy", that is just religious works. Yet the true testament of the Spirit that a conversion has taken place is that the old things really have passed away; we have truly put on the new man and are living for Jesus Christ.
Thank you for posting this! I have a question. John 3:5 says that you must be born again of the water AND of the Spirit to enter into the Kingdom of God. In the New Testament, the Apostles received the Spirit and it was evident through the speaking of tongues. Do you believe that one must speak in tongues as evidence that the Holy Spirit abides in him?
ReplyDeletePaul is overall correct about what he says about Christianity and the way business has been carried out over the centuries.
ReplyDeleteOn the "in your heart" thing though...Consider what the scriptures say:
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Mark 7:21-23
I would say at that point I need somebody else in my heart!
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
you.”
John 15:3-4
So where does He make his abode?
The sower soweth the word.
And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mark 4:14-15
Looks to me like He’s in a heart.