True believers (Daleville, AL)

True believers

Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit you can also identify people by their actions (Matt. 7 20). The Holy Spirit produces good fruit in their lives the lives of true believers. Remember the old adage actions speak louder than words. In other words what a person does will tell you more about them than what they say. All verses below come from the KJV Bible.Some traits true believers display (those that follow the urgings of the spirit they produce good fruit) Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love joy peace longsuffering gentleness goodness faith Galatians 5 23 Meekness temperance against such there is no law.Two more primary marks of a true believer are continuation in Christ s word (obedience see John 8 31) and chastening by the Lord of the true believer (in other words there will be discipline correction etc. when necessary kiss the paddle and move on).Some desires of true believers To please God to do His will not their own will to know God s word by studying that word they truly seek Him to be with God s people [assemble fellowship] when possible to share the Gospel with those that need it to overcome sin to be a good example for others in the hope of them seeing what you have and wanting it too.Some traits that unbelievers display (those that do works of the flesh bad fruit) Galatians 5 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these Adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness Galatians 5 20 Idolatry witchcraft hatred variance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies Galatians 5 21 Envyings murders drunkenness revelings and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.2 Timothy 3 3 Without natural affection trucebreakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good. (They will be unloving and unforgiving they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. Sound familiar)2 Timothy 3 4 Traitors heady highminded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. (They will betray their friends be reckless be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God).2 Timothy 3 5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof from such turn away. (They act holy or claim to be a preacher of God but reject the power that could make them Godly. Never teaching the truth of the Word but cling to traditions of men. Run from them don t associate with them).Become a fruit inspector not a judge. God is our one and only judge.Food for thought Do you see any of the above unbeliever traits today in 2022 All you have to do is watch the daily news read a newspaper or observe with your own eyes.Why did Jesus come Matthew 9 10-13 Mark 2 16-17 Luke 5 30-32 these verses tell you. Is there a better example Is this a complete description of true believers and unbelievers No but the Bible is. Read and study for yourself. Don t trust me or any other human trust God. What you believe will determine how you live. There is only one truth you can count on eternally and that is truth straight from God s Word. If someone says something is true verify it is true or false by checking it out in God s Word. This responsibility falls on each of us see 1 John 4 1.Many people claim to be Christian are they all telling the truth Read the following verses for your answer this is Jesus Christ speaking here Matthew 7 21 Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Matthew 7 23 And then will I profess unto them I never knew you depart from me ye that work iniquity. [Not everyone who professes to be a Christian will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You must be doing the will of God not the will of man]. My thoughts and questions follow Want to be a true Christian Learn the will of God (Again see Matthew 7 21 above). Study and contemplate scripture pray discuss them with other believers etc. on a continuous basis. It takes action on your part put your heart completely into it seek His Kingdom first. Again study God s word completely and continuously learn the truth [Psalm 119 160 John 17 17]. Learn what Christ s doctrines are and support the teaching of His doctrines only [2 John 1 9-11]. True Christianity is wonderful it is a reality. It is not a religion or playing church or a weekly ritual or a tradition of man please don t be guilty of just playing church. Playing ChurchThere is a game that people play In which religion is involved. It is the most dangerous game of all For the loss of one s soul is involved. It is a game of pretension And is popular as can be. We are the actor and play a role And a Christian we pretend to be. The game is called Playing Church And Sunday is game day. We suit up in our very best And act like we re in the narrow way. Our message is a happy one For holiness we think is boring. The Holy Spirit we think is working But it s an evil one that s imploring. We re energized and excited By the preachers stimulus package. We re made to feel like winners While our life s a sinful wreckage. We play this game inside the church Where we re still religious but lost. We think the Gospel is a joke For which Christ Jesus paid the cost. We think the Holy Spirit is the One Stirring up our rebellious heart But an evil spirit impersonates Him Working his deceitful satanic art. We can only become a Christian By faith in Christ and confessing our sin. Playing the game will never save us And will never bring peace within. Playing Church is a satanic game And Satan s the one that creates it. He makes religion fun and frivolous And everyone s a loser who plays it.James H. Cagle Many folks do many things in the name of religion. I hope you understand religion is an invention of humans it is not of God. Something common in all religions are rules do s and dont s regulations traditions commandments and doctrines of men etc. It is sad that so many just don t see the difference between religion and true Christianity. Where do you find true Christianity In His true word only. See John 17 17. Experience God not religion