Today I was reading the book of Jude and it raised a question in my mind. If we are to know someone's heart by their fruit (Matthew 7:16) then what do we do when we see someone whom we 'know' to be a born-again believer yet we see them consistently acting in ways that are not of God? Add to this thought that we know the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin. We see in Acts 7:51 that those with uncircumcised heart can resist the Holy Spirit but can a believer?
I understand that we all continue to sin after we have sought the forgiveness of God. I also know that we are called to be without habitual sin after a salvation moment.
So what do you think about all of this? Any thoughts?
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8 years ago
2 comments:
my thought (still embryonic and subject to change!):
The Christian life is more than just confession...it's profession (as in the job/lifestyle meaning). If we aren't being conformed to His image (or at least showing progress in that area), I'm doubtful about the trueness of our belief in Him....
I agree with Andrew. The fruit of the Spirit must show in our lives. It is not an option but a requirement. If there is no fruit then there is no evidence to others that we have been truly born again. Those who are truly born again cannot stop from growing and producing fruit. Those who are not truly born again can produce all kinds of good "works" but they cannot produce good "fruit". The difference is alway in the Holy Spirit. He is the one who lives in us who will conform us to the image of Christ.
We cannot judge others but we can be fruit inspectors :)
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