Part 2 of 11: The Fruits/ Proofs of Authentic/
True Christianity
Repentance from Sin:
1 John 1:8-10 ESV: 8 If we say we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If
we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I have lived in four of the cultural regions of
America: Southwest, Northwest, South, and Midwest. By far the worst drivers that I have
encountered are here in the Midwest, with maybe the exception of all the New Jersey
students that went to LU and drove the same way in Lynchburg as they do in
Jersey! That is all to say that one of
my daily battles with sin or a sinful attitude involves the road. I do not get road rage or anything crazy, but
sure do get angry at how red lights mean nothing here and tailgating in the
slow lane is a common practice. You can
see where this is going … I think that my horn is about to die from all the
honking at red light runners that almost and sometimes do cause accidents which
I have seen firsthand. Lord, help me be
more gracious to those who do not know you and are only living for themselves,
by giving me a heart to proclaim your name and to show them your grace and love.
Amen.
I
acknowledged my sin to you,
and
I did not cover my iniquity;
I
said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and
you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5 ESV
What is the point of all this?
Two words: Progressive Sanctification. At the moment of salvation, we are justified,
sanctified, and are guaranteed an eternal relationship with the Lord. But, there are also exhortations found throughout
the entire Bible to live holy lives here on Earth. Take this verse by Paul which in context
directly relates to progressive sanctification: Not that I have already
obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because
Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12 ESV Therefore, we all have daily struggles with
sin, such as my sort of silly yet seriously true example above, but are called
to do better and make forward progress in our attitudes and thoughts.
How exactly do we make forward progress? Grow in the Lord. What are the top three ways to grow in the
Lord? Word, Prayer, and Fellowship! Over time, we will see a difference in our
lives as we partake in all three of those areas. Yes, there are more areas that are drastically
important such as tithing/ giving, helping those who are less fortunate, etc. and
they will flow out of us as we grow in each of the top areas. The transformations of progressive
sanctification are sometimes clearly visible in people’s lives such as a
ceasing of cursing/ swearing, drug use, or premarital sexual relations. Other times, it is not so evident on the
outside but that does not mean that the Lord is not doing a mighty work on the
inside of people such as freeing them from deep insecurities or
bitterness. Therefore, we cannot always judge
or analyze Christian’s walk by outside appearances and need to be careful. On the other hand, if somebody claims to be a
Christian for a long time, say years and years, but still lives with a
girlfriend/ boyfriend, does illicit narcotics, and so forth we (both the Church
and we as Christian brothers and sisters) are to call them out. (See 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Matt. 18:17-18; Titus
3:10; 2
Thess. 3:6-15; 1
Tim. 5:20; Gal.
6:1) In
closing, after we come to salvation and as we walk with the Lord; our lives
will be more fulfilled, which will bring Him more glory.
May the Lord Bless and Keep You!
