How does one know he is "in Christ?" There
are proofs one may have, from Scripture, as to
whether a calling is an "election sure." In this
post we will deal with some found in Ist John.
We will see negative and positive proofs... You
might even go directly to this epistle and find it
for yourself. I have, however; isolated pointed
passages that follow...
In the first Epistle of John, chapter one we see;
"This then is the message which we have heard
of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that
we have fellowship with him, and walk in dark-
ness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk
in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellow-
ship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son, cleanseth us from all sin. (vs. 5-7)
When we see our lives changed from a lost,
pointless existence, to a meaningful relation-
ship with our Lord and followers of Jesus Christ,
this gives hope of eternal life and we are given a
mode of service, even a "ministry." At times that
word is confusing since it is used extensively to
indicate "vocational" service. The vocational or
professional mode is the smaller part of a much
greater picture. Ministry is applicable to that,
but it also applies to a servant of the Lord, whe-
ther he/she is in "ministry" as a profession, or
service to our Lord and his Kingdom out of love
for our Lord, his church and his children. In a
broader sense, every one is a "child" of God
and we all have a ministry. We may at times,
neglect that ministry and those who do not, as
yet, know the Lord are not even aware He has a
service, or ministry for them.
In the second chapter, I John, we find... "And
hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep
his commandments." If we would keep his com-
mandments, it is incumbent upon us to be in the
Word. (The passage in Romans 10: 17, "Faith
cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of
God.") It is possible our greater neglects may be
prayer, Bible study, and the personal application
of the disciplines.
In I John 4:15 we see; "Whosoever shall confess
that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him,
and he in God." In verse 21, "And this command-
ment have we from him, That he who loveth God
love his brother also.
In First John 5:5 we find; "Who is he that over-
cometh the world, but he that believeth that
Jesus is the Son of God."
Keep in mind; the Word of God is plain if one
will diligently search the message... It is not
"simple," and in order for you or I to begin to
plumb it's depths, (dig deep) diligence must be
applied and faithful application of the message
therein, must be made to one's life... We will
gain nothing if we attempt to apply the mes-
sage to the life of another, or simply read the
message, and fail to act on it, or apply it to our
our lives... (AMEN)
In First John 5: 11-13, "And this is the record,
that God hath given to us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath
the life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life.
These things have I written unto you that ye
believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye
may believe on the name of the Son of God."
See James 1:22-25
With all of this there are caveats. One, recor-
ded in James 1: 22-25: "But be ye doers of the
Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word, and
not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself,
and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth
what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh
into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a
doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his
deed."
Caveat: An intimation of caution, hint, warning, admonition.
Thanks for looking and may the Lord
God bless you in all your "deeds.")
This post will be augmented from time to time as
found in the epistles of John.
edited, 7.25.17; 9.16.17 donporter,sr
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