Spiritual Birthmarks
We know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as a Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. -1 John 4:13-15
Have you ever heard about the spiritual birthmarks of a Christ-follower, about what attitudes and actions are to distinguish the believer from the unbeliever?
The apostle John was aware of the distinctive characteristics of people who truly belong to Jesus. One trait is love: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). A second trait of believers is the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives: "(God) has given us of His Spirit," and His Holy Spirit confirms for us that we belong to Him (Romans 8:16).
John spoke of personal witness of Jesus because he had seen and touched the Lord (1 John 1:1).
As Christ-followers, we can also testify to knowing Jesus personally because of His presence in our lives. We can personally attest to His love because He has poured it into our hearts by His Holy Spirit
(Romans 5:5). We can also personally speak of the change He has brought to our hearts.
He has changed our sinful choices and given us instead a desire for spiritual things that didn't exist until we began abiding in Him, until we began trusting in His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and His glorious resurrection.
Today our life is a testimony to His claims, for it we abide in Him, His nature will indeed shine through us.
Prayer : Lord, thank You for Your love and Your Spirit, our spiritual birthmarks. Use them, use me to testify to Your glory and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
Have you ever heard about the spiritual birthmarks of a Christ-follower, about what attitudes and actions are to distinguish the believer from the unbeliever?
The apostle John was aware of the distinctive characteristics of people who truly belong to Jesus. One trait is love: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8). A second trait of believers is the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives: "(God) has given us of His Spirit," and His Holy Spirit confirms for us that we belong to Him (Romans 8:16).
John spoke of personal witness of Jesus because he had seen and touched the Lord (1 John 1:1).
As Christ-followers, we can also testify to knowing Jesus personally because of His presence in our lives. We can personally attest to His love because He has poured it into our hearts by His Holy Spirit
(Romans 5:5). We can also personally speak of the change He has brought to our hearts.
He has changed our sinful choices and given us instead a desire for spiritual things that didn't exist until we began abiding in Him, until we began trusting in His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and His glorious resurrection.
Today our life is a testimony to His claims, for it we abide in Him, His nature will indeed shine through us.
Prayer : Lord, thank You for Your love and Your Spirit, our spiritual birthmarks. Use them, use me to testify to Your glory and grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
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