[tsth]

There is a vast difference between claiming to be a Christian and being a real Christian. I spent many years claiming what I believed I was....when in fact I had not a clue WHO Christ was!

As a young pre-teen, I made the typical "decision" for Christ, and yet had not a clue Who Jesus was, nor what a Christian was....the reason being:

I had NO exposure to THE WORD!


Thus I spent many years in denial and deception/apostasy and rebellion, claiming to be a Christian and yet living a completely immoral, carnal/pagan lifestyle and thinking nothing of it. My actions told everything about me and my relationship with Jesus.

Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.



Titus 1:15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.



I can only testify to the fact that for me, I have known from childhood that there was an Almighty God, BUT I did not know who HE was/Jesus and the TRUTH, until I was introduced to TRUTHS from Scriptures. And, I most certainly did not see my need to repent UNTIL I was introduced to the Truth of the Scriptures. It was only then that I realized my own sin. As a child, I THOUGHT I was saved, but sad to say I don't believe I really was until after adulthood and sin.....then I was introduced to TRUTH, which was like a massive spotlight on my life/behavior/deeds which were FAR from Christian!!! I then understood repentance, which I could not have fully understood as a child, because I did not fully understand sin.......my sin.


Hope this makes sense. It also testifies to the passages from James 1 in regard to sin and the "implanted word" which can save you from it. We need exposure to the WHOLE counsel of God, lest we die in our sins, being deceived that we are walking as Christians, when in fact our deeds tell another story.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you* are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."* 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty."*


In His Love,
Suzanne

[whirlwind]

It really is....TRUTH from Scriptures. It is the meat of the Word. Just belief isn't enough for...."the devils also believe, and tremble" [James 2:19]

It is, as you stated, not just seeing but doing. Living that Word. I reach for that goal and fall short but I keep trying. I thank Him for His grace and forgiveness.

[Spirit Filled One]

What you are describing here Suzanne, is really the Truth.

Its the Truth that so many do not want exposed, because then true repentance would be required, and so many just want to live in one part of the Christian walk as they close their eyes and ears to the other part.

One of the criticisms that Jesus has of the 7 churches in Revelation, is the fact that they hold fast to His Name, and yet they have other doctrines that they are clinging to, the doctrine of balaam and the doctrine of the nicolaitans.

Just as in the days of ancient Israel, they were a people that were called chosen of God, and yet while they bore the Name of God over their lives, they continued to run to foreign gods, or to mingle with women that were foreign women and commit sexual immorality with them.

They were a picture for us to show us, that name the name of Christ as Lord, that we can not only call ourselves by His name, but we must be bearing fruit that would be consistent with that claim.

Some would say that this is being legalistic or looking for sin instead of looking for grace, but its truly given to us as His disciples to look for fruit and to speak the same truth that He and His aposles spoke.

Focusing on just the grace and mercy of God in our teaching in the "church" will never make disciples. This is why Paul was led to write the many epistles that he wrote, with such detailed intruction in them. These instructions are for us to edify and teach others with...

[tsth]

It is the Light of Jesus Christ and The Power of the Word to discern the truth of the heart, that brings about great change. The Revelation of Jesus Christ/Whose Name Is the Word of God, is what wrought great change in my life...I am ever so grateful!!!


Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.


Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.



In His Love,
Suzanne

[BibleScholar]

"the bigger you are, the harder you fall" - not scripture. LOL

The people that are more closer to God are the people who have lived a life.

How can I, as a teenager be closer to God when I still have the dream of getting an education and becoming someone?

How can I as a young adult be closer to God when I still have the dream of finding that wife to marry?

How can i as a newly wed be closer to God when I'm still have the dream of raising a family?

It is only then that after all the cravings have been met that there is nothing left to live upon but to prepare oneself for one's salvation for the ship that is taking us there is the next step away.

[tsth]

I am sorry BibleScholar, but I don't agree with your ideology....Why do you make the assumption that you cannot be closer to God when seeking an education, wife, family???

These were the places where I have been the "closest" to God. These are the places where you NEED HIM MOST!!! Don't you desire for HIM to choose that wife, job, life???!!!


Don't assume that you put God in the back seat when pursuing these things, let HIM drive!!! You will avoid the many heartaches and pitfalls that trying to pursue these things in your own way, will bring you.

I know from experience....I don't EVER want to make the major moves in life without HIM, again. I learned the hard way, that it is so much more blessed to listen to Him and use His guidelines in the pursuit of happiness.

His Word will guide you in every one of these endeavors of life that you mention.


God bless you!

In His Love,
Suzanne