Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.



I woke up this morning considering what it means to be a follower of Christ. Scriptures came to my mind, like, “counting the cost” and “departing from evil.” I pondered, just what does it mean to BELIEVE in Jesus and know this - it can only mean that we follow Him. So, what does it mean to be a follower? Is it just a mental affirmation that Jesus is the Son of God? That he is the Messiah? Is just knowing and agreeing with these statements make a Christian? Is there something else? Then the Spirit brought this scripture to my mind:

“You must be born again.” There it is. A change must come from deep within. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. Other evidences of a changed life and a new heart are abhorrence of all evil and wickedness. Separation from the unholy. A renewal of our minds. Hating what God hates and loving what God loves. Accepting persecution. Not looking back. Not practicing sin and if we miss the mark, we repent quickly. Compassion. Love. Mercy. Forgiveness. Spiritual wisdom. Gifts of the Spirit. Prayer life. Time in scripture. Fellowship with other believers. There must be so many more workings of God in the lives of the true convert.


So, what are the markings of a false convert?

No change. Loving the world by agreement with the things that God hates. Participation in the unholy. Preservation of the old mind. Hating God’s Word and exalting the wisdom of the world (idolatry). Fleeing persecution, by being politically correct or being silent in the face of wickedness. Refusing the Spirit that is drawing us out of the world and its evil. Practicing sin and making excuses for it. Refusal to repent of sin that has been manifested. Hardened hearts. Unforgiveness. Spiritual blindness. A powerless life without spiritual strength. No prayer life or scripture study. Avoiding the brethren.

2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: :4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Then the Spirit brought this forth:

“They will hate the word.”

The Word of God reveals the hearts of men and the Will of God. When men hate the Word, they will kick at it; they will denigrate it; they will twist it; they will add to it or take away from it. They will refuse truthful interpretations and create a false reasoning. Men hate the Word because their own works are evil:

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Jesus Christ is the Word and the True Light. Everyone that does evil hates Jesus and will not come to Him, less HIS DEEDS should be reproved. But the one that really loves Jesus, that is the true convert, comes forth into the Kingdom of Light, where Christ is King by doing the will of God.

We are admonished to examine ourselves:

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

If we claim to be a follower of Christ, examination of our own hearts and motives will lead to a conclusion – are we true converts or false? Are we saying Lord Lord, we believe in you, but we do not do your Will? Or are we conforming our lives to the image of the Son — by what we do?

I urge everyone today (and this includes me) to examine their hearts; their choices; their activities. Are we promoting the Kingdom of God or the kingdom of satan? God’s world is good and holy, where peace and joy in the Holy Ghost exists. Its citizens are active in the ministry of reconciliation and holiness and have separated themselves from all evil. They are HATED by the world to the point that they are even murdered.

Citizens of the kingdom of darkness exalt the laws of men over the laws of God. They are darkened souls that hate followers of Christ. Some may even say they are Christians, but are no different than Lot’s wife, refusing separation and will not let Jesus wash away the blood on their hands. They support sin and all the things that God hates and by so doing, reject the Offering of Christ, doing despite to the Spirit of Grace, and blaspheming the Holy Child Jesus.

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

True convert vs. the false. Let us examine ourselves closely, in prayer and listen for the truth that our consciences bring forth. Let us never reject the correction that comes forth. If the Spirit is bidding us to depart from an activity or a mindset, let us never idolize our own reasoning above God’s will. If He is truly our life, then we will honor Him with our own.

Reconciliation is still available. The door of the ark is still opened. The ministry of God’s grace is still operational in this world. Seek God while He may be found.



2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

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