DEFINITELY HIS OR NOT

DEFINITELY HIS OR NOT

It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” —II Peter 2:21-22

Who are those that truly love and live for the Lord Jesus Christ? How is it possible to know who is truly a disciple? The answer is time and a changed life shown by the outward fruit produced by the inward transformation by the Holy Spirit of God given to a person upon salvation— “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14). So if the Spirit of God resides in a person then they are given at least one spiritual gift to be used for the common good (I Corinthians 12:7). The Holy Spirit is revealed through the use of that spiritual gift as well as through other fruit He produces in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:16-17).

Dogs and pigs cannot change their behavior. They do what dogs and pigs do. So it is with a person. Their lives will reflect their owners— slaves of God or slaves of Satan. Is it the will of God they are living or are they living the will of the devil? They are either “doing the will of God from your heart” (Ephesians 6:6) as “slaves of Christ” or they are in “the trap of the devil” and are being held “captive to do his will” as his slaves (II Timothy 2:26).

The follower of Jesus is not perfect in following Him, not yet, but they will be perfect and complete in Heaven! But there will be a consistency in doing God’s will in their overall life. It should be evident to others when their loved one dies that they are in Heaven because they truly loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

I was with a follower of Jesus whose spouse had died. They asked me if I thought their loved one was truly saved. Above all people it is the spouse that should surely know if their loved one truly knew Jesus. It would be definitely evident in the home and with all the time they spent together. May we live in such a way as there is no doubt to our loved ones at our death that we truly loved and lived for Jesus. This will be such a comfort to them to know we are truly in Heaven!

Dear Father, may I truly be consistent in my walk with Jesus that people will know that I love You. Oh, may this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. All for His honor and glory!