Testimony of the Spirit

Shine or Stumble

Ken

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19 KJV). Either we are shining or stumbling, but not both, at least at the same time. You cannot be going opposite directions simultaneously. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [riches]” (Matthew 6:24). Even the world says, You can’t have it both ways. It seems that the Church of Laodicea went back and forth between hot and cold for Christ, so much so, they were characterized as lukewarm — fit only to be vomited out of the mouth of Christ. “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). 

If we develop the position we are saved-and-sure-to-go-to-heaven, but we’ll simply lose some rewards because of our present sinning, then Jesus disagrees. Why? Any confidence of our salvation based upon past actions and not upon a present walk of obedience with the Lord, lacks the testimony of the Holy Spirit. “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1John 2:4). How can this be? We confuse our intellectual memory of the past with the Holy Spirit’s testimony. We are dead, if the Holy Spirit says we’re dead. And, we’re only alive, if the testimony of Scripture says we’re alive. “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep [Greek, tēreō, are keeping, i.e., present tense] His commandments” (1John 2:3). I’ve met many Professed Christians living in open sin, who still console themselves with their hope of Heaven, because they remember getting saved. The only way to prove you are a backslider is to “be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19)! 

Father, deliver Your Church from comforting Professed Christians, who are abiding in sin, with any hope of Heaven. May we agree with the testimony of Your Spirit, when there is open and known sin. May Your Church separate itself from the practice of sinning. And, may we gather inspiration from Your Spirit to walk in obedience. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Cannot Fool God

Ken

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 KJV). Religious arguments are easy to settle. Take yourself and the opposing person out of the discussion and see what God says. We arrive at the position that makes the most sense to us, but it does not always mean it answers all the objections of the opposing person. This is why we must “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18) by changing our position whenever our understanding improves. For instance, ‘I’m going to Heaven because I prayed Jesus into my heart,’ ‘I’ve been baptized,’ ‘I’m doing the best that I can,’ ‘I’ve joined the Church,’ ‘I tithe,’ ‘I don’t do something that everyone feels negative about,’ or ‘I do some things that everyone feels positive about,’ may represent possible answers. 

Faith is essential, i.e., “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Baptism is necessary, for it is a Loyalty Oath, i.e., “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Good works are essential. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20, 26). Unfortunately, we have given some the impression that Heaven is like a Monopoly Game with a “Get Out of Jail” Card, where we pass “Go” and collect Heaven. Crude analogy, but anything short of absolute trust and complete surrender to Jesus as our salvationis an attempt to fool ourselves, our neighbors, and God. 

Ananias and Saphira had believed and been baptized, yet both were struck down by God (Acts 5). Simon the Magician believed and was baptized but still offered Peter money to enable him to dispense the Holy Spirit to whoever he would lay his hands upon (Acts 8). Whether the accusation is Easy Believism or Baptism Is A Self-Righteous Work, Perseverance of the Saints or Preservation of the Saints, Losing Your Salvation or Losing the Testimony of the Spirit, all hinges on the Spirit of God testifying to us of our sonship. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). 

Father, we completely trust and surrender to You as the source of our salvation, and we plead only Your Spirit would testify of us that we are the Children of God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.