© 25 Colin Melbourne
We Have Confidence Toward God
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
1 John 3:14-24 KJV
This glorious passage shows us the secret of walking in God’s Spirit that religion is blind to.
If this scripture doesn’t get you rejoicing then you either; need to be born of God the Holy Bible way, or repent of the besetting sin that’s holding you back from Father’s best.
The Holy Ghost writes of the witness within our spirit, the core of our being, that tells us without doubt that the very life of God Himself has come to reside in us: The Spirit of God, The Spirit of Christ, The Divine Nature of Father now dwells inside the believer in The LORD Jesus Christ.
This precious position was unknown to all under the Old Covenant that brought death. 2 Cor. 3:6-8 KJV;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
Neither Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, nor David ever experienced this witness in their brief sojourn on Earth.
Contemplate that Bible fact, and praise God for His infinite Mercy to you and me. Halleluia!
The Prophets of old, like the Patriarch’s and monarchs had to wait for the Holy Ghost to come upon them to accomplish their tasks: The anointing came briefly, but lifted afterwards, leaving them still in their sins, and unregenerate in heart.
David longed for cleansing from his sinfulness when God sent Nathan the prophet to softly rebuke the king. David prayed, Psalm 51:10-11 KJV;
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
The LORD was merciful, acknowledged David’s repentance, and fulfilled the request.
His heart was washed clean, his spirit was renewed, and God continued guiding David by the anointing upon.
Notice; washed, restored, refreshed and invigorated: Not regenerated, or recreated, as we have available today in the New Covenant born again experience.
There’s a Huge Difference
If you’re unsure about this, seek the LORD for clarification, because it’s spiritually, not mentally, discerned. You know in your belly, long before your head catches on.
When we believe on Christ The LORD our hearts are far more than washed and restored, as Ezekiel prophesied, Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV;
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Have you had this once in a lifetime experience?
Have you repented of unbelief in Christ as LORD, and been born of God?
When did you become a new creature in Christ? 2 Cor. 5:17 KJV;
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
If you’re not sure, it hasn’t happened yet, but you can be certain today, if you’ll humble yourself before God.
It’s easy to discover if you’ve been truly born of God the Bible way.
Apply God’s five tests, and you’ll know instantly;
1) Do you love the brethren, fellow Christians? Do you get a thrill inside when you meet another real believer? 1 John 3:14-15 KJV;
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
If you hate anyone, you do not have God’s life in your heart. God the Holy Ghost says so right there.
2) Were you made new inside the moment you believed on Christ as LORD? Or are you the same sinner as before? 2 Cor. 5:17 KJV;
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
That’s talking about the real you, your spirit, not your body, or your mind, they can be made new after you’re born again and become a child of God. Your body can be healed of every sickness, deformity and infirmity as you embrace, and act on, your redemption in Christ, and your duty is to renew your mind so it lines up with God’s written word. Rom. 12:1-2 KJV;
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Presenting your body is your part, not God’s, likewise, renewing your mind is your duty, not Father’s.
You’ll delight to do both after God has made you a new creature, putting His Spirit in yours.
3) Are you one with Father God, walking in obedience to the voice of God in your heart, and keeping His commandments? Jn. 10:27-30 KJV;
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
Jn. 14:15 KJV; If ye love me, keep my commandments.
4) Have you turned from all sin, or is there besetting sin in your life?
5) Do you have the inner witness of God that you have His Spirit in you, and are His child?
Apply these five tests with integrity, and you’ll know instantly inside if you qualify.
Your heart will no longer condemn you, it will not convict you of sin, and you’ll recognize the Spirit of God in your inner man or woman.
You will have confidence towards God, able to walk with Him, and be useful in His Hands.
If you fall short on any of these self-tests, you can get right with The LORD now, by doing two simple things wholheartedly.
© 25 Colin Melbourne