There are prominent voices in our culture today who say:
> "You can believe anyway you want and have eternal life."
But Scripture says, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1).
> "You can live anyway you want and have eternal life."
But Scripture says, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin" (1 John 3:9).
> "You can love only if you want and have eternal life."
But Scripture says, "We know we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death" (1 John 3:14-15).
They can say whatever they want but the Bible says it means something to be a Christian. We are saved by faith alone, but faith is never alone. Jesus Christ changes our lives-and for the better. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature..." (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ does make a difference in our lives. And that difference is evidence of our conversion. The evidence is also the basis of our assurance. The Apostle John says repeatedly in 1 John that a true believer will have marks which set him apart as a follower of Jesus. He identifies these distinguishing characteristics:
Anyone can say they are a Christian but a true believer will show he is a Christian. And these characteristics are the areas where we should grow as Christian. A healthy Christian life will show in growing abundance the evidence of a walk with Christ. This is our comfort and our challenge!
This Sunday I will conclude the series as we complete the subject "Certainties of a Christian" (1 John 5:13-21). See you tomorrow with a Bible in hand!
Blessings Today,
Pastor Ron