I believe David Platt's statement to be true. We MUST be changed! If we haven't truly repented, we truly haven't placed our faith in Christ. We are still . . . dead.
There are several professing Christians in my life, and yours too, who say all the right words with their lips but then return to their old ways as if nothing has changed. That's because nothing HAS. There MUST be change.
"20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” - 2 Peter 2:20-22 we?
The word "holy" means "set apart." That should be us. We should appear different than everyone else who doesn't know Jesus. So why aren't we? Why do we return to our vomit? Why do we return to our eveil ways? Because we are sinners and , , , we love it.
There is a young lady on Facebook who sent me a Christmas card this year. She calls me her brother in Christ. That's nice. But she also rips her former boyfriends viciously, "F____ this, and F___ that." My young friend is deceiving herself. Nothing has changed in her. There has been no repentance. She is not saved. My friend will be going to hell if she does not change her evil ways, to quote Carlos Santana.
Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians, admonishing those who had returned to THEIR evil ways, to repent, reminding them that "such were some of you." - 1 Corinthians 6:11
When God's Holy Spirit enters us we become changed. There is no going back. The same Holy Spirit that convicts us of sin is the same Holy Spirit that causes us not to deny our Lord, even though we might be killed for taking that stand.
Jesus speaking to Nicodemus said, "You must be born again" - (John 3:7). We must! We MUST be born again! No amount of going to church or doing good deeds will accomplish what Jesus already accomplished through His death and resurrection.
To my young friend, I beg you to repent and turn to Christ. He is the author and perfecter of our faith" - (Hebrews 12:2) and He CAN save you, but you must first repent . . . and change. Oh, dear Lord, how I wish you would change.
Evil Ways - Santana @ Woodstock
Why Many Christians Are Deceived - David Platt
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