Do you want change ? Real change ? Check this out...
Repentance is born in the heart by beholding the love of Christ, who gave his life to save the sinner. It is the goodness of God, manifested in Christ, that softens the heart. It is the virtue that goes forth from Jesus that inspires the purpose of the soul to turn away from sin. We do not repent in order that God may love us, but God reveals his love to us that we may repent. (Romans 2:4/2 Corinthians 7:10/2 Peter 3:9/Acts 17:30)
It is in beholding the love of God that repentance is awakened in the sinner's heart, and an earnest desire is created to become reconciled to God. When the transgressor becomes acquainted with God, and experiences his love, it produces in his heart a hatred for sin and a love for holiness. (Job 42:6/Psalms 97:10) We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience, than we can be pardoned without Christ. Christ draws the sinner by the exhibition of his love upon the cross, and this softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition and repentance in the soul. (Luke 5:32/Mark 2:17) The degree of our love for God depends upon the clearness and fulness of our conviction of sin. (Luke 7:47/Psalms 51:1-4/Revelation 1:5,6)
There is no undecided work about true conversion. It is the work of the Holy Spirit upon human character. A Christian is one whose heart is controlled by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:9,14,16/Galatians 5:22,23/Philippians 2:13) The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures and always leads to the Scriptures. The Scriptures are the great agency in the transformation of character. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day. Genuine conversion is needed, not once in years, but daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31/Luke 9:23/Psalms 61:8,68:19) This conversion brings man into a new relation with God. Old things, his natural passions and hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong, pass away, and he is renewed and sanctified. But this work must be continual; for as long as Satan exists, he will make an effort to carry on his work. (1 Peter 5:8) He who strives to serve God will encounter a strong undercurrent of wrong. His heart needs to be barricaded by constant watchfulness and prayer, or else the embankment will give way; and like a mill‑stream, the undercurrent of wrong will sweep away the safeguard. (Mark 14:38) No renewed heart can be kept in a condition of sweetness without the daily application of the salt of the word. (Psalms 119:11) Divine grace must be received daily, or no man will stay converted. As the mind is enlightened in regard to what is purity and sanctification, and the heart responds to the strivings of the Holy Spirit, a daily conversion will be the result. (2 Peter 1:2-4/Ephesians 4:7/)
To remove the stains of sin requires the work of a lifetime. Every day renewed efforts in restraining and denying self are needed. Every day there are new battles to fight and victories to be gained. Every day the soul should be called out in earnest pleading with God for the mighty victories of the cross. (1 Timothy 6:12/Psalms 119:12,50:15/
However complete may have been our consecration at conversion, it will avail us nothing unless it be renewed daily; but a consecration that embraces the actual present is fresh, genuine, and acceptable to God. Every living Christian will advance daily in the divine life. (John 14:23) As he advances toward perfection, he experiences a conversion to God every day; and this conversion is not completed until he attains to perfection of Christian character, a full preparation for the finishing touch of immortality. (2 Timothy 4:7,8/Romans 2:7/1 Corihtians 15:52,53/Philippians 3:13,14/Matthew 24:13/Hebrews 3:14,6:11/Acts 15:11/Revelation 2:26)
To be continued...
It is not the will of our heavenly Father that so many would be deceived concerning salvation and eternal life in these last days. While GOD loves everyone and will forgive anyone HE does not change our character against our will or without our cooperation.
A Christ-like character is the only kind of character that could enjoy heaven and a Christ-like character is the only kind of character that could be trusted in heaven.
We are given a life-time, (be it long or short) to cooperate with God in developing a Christ-like character for eternal life in heaven. It begins with the new birth experience.
Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life today and to begin the work of changing you for heaven. Confess your sins and acknowledge your need of Him. He loves you and wants the privilege of enjoying friendship with you forever.
Have a great weekend and may the Lord keep and bless you.
T.K.
