What should happen if Christ has really entered my life?
Once you have sincerely asked Christ into your life, several areas will begin to change or develop. The rate of change will vary for each individual, but after some days/weeks/months if there is no change in heart attitude and behavior, a person should re-assess if they have actually become a Christian. True repentance is not just an attitude, but rather a transformational process.
If a person demonstrates no clear change in their lifestyle, habits, thoughts and words over a period of time, then little assurance can be given to them regarding their salvation. The Apostle Paul exhorted people to "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you � unless indeed you fail the test." (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Some areas that you might expect to see change are the following:
* A growing desire to read the Bible (Psalms 119:10), understanding of what you are reading, and a desire to apply what you are learning to your life.
* A growing sense of God�s presence (Romans 5: 1-5), and gentle voice whispering to you to obey the Scriptures as they should apply to your life
* A greater awareness of God�s holiness, one�s sin + motivation for doing things, plus a growing sorrow over anything which displeases God, leading to a quiet humility. (Psalms 51:1-17)
* A growing sense that you are forgiven as you confess and repent (stop doing it!) from specific sins. (Psalms 32:1,2) Increasing manifestation of the �fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control, as you rely on God�s Spirit to fill you more each day, moment-by-moment. (Galatians 5:22,23)
* A growing desire to pray and talk with your Father in heaven about everything, all the time. (I Thessalonians 5:17,18)
* A growing desire to fellowship with like-minded believers in Bible study and churches (Hebrews 10:25), as well as to help those in need, especially other believers, but also non-believers.
* A growing desire to share your faith in Christ with others as you depend moment by moment on the empowering of God�s Spirit. (1 John 4:2,3, Acts 1:8)
* A growing strengthening of your faith; perseverance in the midst of suffering or persecution for your faith, and a desire to honor Him in all areas. (Acts 4:1-35)
* A growing desire to give of your time, talents and resources for the kingdom of God. (Acts 2:44-47)
* A growing desire to integrate one�s faith with all elements of one�s life, seeking to please God in all areas (2 Corinthians 5:9). For example, if the Bible clearly speaks about on issue, how will it affect your personal life and ethics? Your family life? Your business? The way and people you vote for?
Again, a person who claims to be a Christian, but who does not demonstrate a deepening love for God manifested by allowing Christ to increasingly be Lord of their life may not be a true believer. For example, there are many terrible, hateful things done by religious people, including so-called Christians.
The Apostle John stated that a person who is not growing in love, but remains hateful, is not a believer. (1 John 3:15) The Apostle Paul stated in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, "� after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed -- for our testimony to you was believed. (NASU)
In that case, if those people were to die this moment, they would go to hell rather than heaven, having chosen to live a false life, pretending to be a Christian. They gave themselves the �label� Christian, but it was not true of their actual relationship with Christ Himself. God is love, and true Christians demonstrate more of this over time.
Finally, one fog-clearing question: "In a court of law, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a true Christian?"
GREAT POST Jude! this is a very nice article. Most people think of repentance as an apology, and continue in their old ways, but doing things differently. Same sins but a different way of doing them.:rolleyes:
Thank you for your questions. I've enjoyed reading them.
Another question or perhaps observation this brings up is for someone who has been a true Christian for 20+ years. Do they still love? Are they still growing? Are their Spiritual Gifts deepening and being used?
I know folks who seem to be what I call "coasting" on their Christianity. They grew and witnessed and went on missions trips and taught and fought spiritual battles and helped people make decisions for Christ...... etc., etc. and now, 20, 25, 30 years later ----- they are coasting. Resting on their spiritual laurels. Quoting scripture without reading their Bible every day. After all, they have already read it through several times and attended Bible study (or taught classes) for 20+ years. What more is there to learn?
It seems to me that those folks (and every one of us is fully capable of being one of THOSE folks) have pride in themselves. They think they know it all; been there, done that; now it is time to sit back and watch others do the hard work. God forgive that I ever turn into one of THOSE folks. God forgive I ever stop searching scripture, ever stop trying to grow and use my gifts, ever stop trying to win just_one_more for Christ.
That is an Excellent question GodsLamb and it is so very Good to see you here�:excited:...I�ve heard many a Elder say � Ive paid my dues�Its time to rest ��:zzzz:...Reminds me of Psalm 23:1-6�The time to rest is in the quite moments spent with God in communion and reading His word & scripture�that is when the real work inside of us and through us begins�God forbid any of us start to believe we have learned all that there is to learn�May we never cease in our callings�to love�guide�and teach those that come after us�xo
