The Weather Rock

Pat

Well-Known Member
WHAT mATTERS? The Weather Rock​

There is a gag gift called a “weather rock.” The idea is to hang this rock by a string outside, then observe its condition. If it is wet, it’s raining. If it is white, it’s snowing. If it is swinging back and forth, it’s windy. If you can see its shadow, it’s sunny, and so forth. A silly idea yet it proves a point. The rock isn’t necessary, but observation of outside conditions are evidences of the kind of weather that is happening. The same is generally true of Christianity.

You say you are a Christian? Great! If that is the case, then there will be evidences of Christ living in you as you abide in Him. The Word of God via the Holy Spirit gives every believer the assurance of having been born again and having eternal life. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The “old” that has passed away is the identification with Adam and all that comes with being spiritually dead in him. The “new” is our identification with the risen Lord Jesus and all that comes with being spiritually alive in and by Him. Jesus affirms this in John 5:24, Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word and believes on Him that sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death into life. Notice the progression. “…he who hears My Word and believes on Him…” To hear, is to be led by the Holy Spirit to believe, to follow, and to obey the Word of God as pertaining to the Gospel. Then He says that he who believes “…HAS everlasting life.” Not will have [future tense] but HAS [present tense] everlasting life. Finally, he that has everlasting life will never come into condemnation. The condemnation and payment for our sin and sins was the death penalty enforced by God upon Jesus at the cross. Once we believe the Gospel, we are declared to be just as righteous as He is. Why? Because the wages of sin, which is death, was inflicted on Jesus in our stead. “For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Having been born again, we begin to discover new leadings and desires in our lives such as wanting to pray, to read the Word, and to fellowship with other like-minded believers. These aren’t “have to’s,” they are “want to’s.” We also become sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in relation to old habits and sins in our lives. Confession of these restores our fellowship with God. The result is good works, which are the products of faith. Faith exercised always produces good works.

What matters is, are we experiencing those evidences in our lives on a consistent basis? Paul said, “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves…” 2 Corinthians 13:5 If you are a Christian, there will be consistent evidences of it. James says, “What does it profit my brethren, though a man say he has faith and has not works? Can [that kind of] faith save him?” James 2:14 The answer is no. A person that SAYS he has faith but is void of evidence of it in his life, had better examine himself to see if he has truly trusted God for salvation. If he determines himself to be a believer based on the Word of God, then he should welcome the opportunity to repent and be restored to fellowship. If not, then it gives him the opportunity to repent and believe the Gospel. It is a healthy habit for us to observe our rock now and then.
 

ItIsFinished!

Blood bought child of the King of kings.
My favorite part, present tense, has everlasting life...
Nothing wrong , actually encouraged , to check yourself in regards to the faith.
My other favorite part, not have to but want to .

It is a privilege to serve The Lord Jesus Christ.
One must count the cost.
Is it worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!

Praise The Lamb
✝️
 

Belle of Grace

Longing for Home
It is a healthy habit for us to observe our rock now and then.
Pat, as long as we're not 'always & forever' checking ourselves to see whether or not we're really saved. The Corinthian church was a mess, but Paul taught them as brethren. They definitely needed to get back in right relationship with God and put the immoral man out of their church until he was willing to admit and forsake his sin. I followed a leading Calvinist pastor's teaching for about 30 yrs. It finally got to me that I could never rest in the finished work of Christ and had to constantly examine my behavior. I came close to just walking away. That scares me today to think that I was so unraveled due to such strong arm Calvinist teaching. Never any assurance of salvation at all because of this man's teaching. Finally, God led me straight to Andy Woods. What a breath of fresh air! We 'can know' we are saved, even if we go through a dry spell. God's Word is very clear about the Gospel message. I no longer listen to any Calvinist preacher. I've had more joy in my life over my salvation and 'love' serving God by serving others. My focus has shifted from 'me' (always focusing on myself to see if something I just now thought or did puts me in the camp of a self-deceived person who is only 'almost' a Christian (Matthew Meade's book quoted by this Calvinistpastor/teacher)shifted to Him (His honor & glory)
 

Pat

Well-Known Member
Pat, as long as we're not 'always & forever' checking ourselves to see whether or not we're really saved. The Corinthian church was a mess, but Paul taught them as brethren. They definitely needed to get back in right relationship with God and put the immoral man out of their church until he was willing to admit and forsake his sin. I followed a leading Calvinist pastor's teaching for about 30 yrs. It finally got to me that I could never rest in the finished work of Christ and had to constantly examine my behavior. I came close to just walking away. That scares me today to think that I was so unraveled due to such strong arm Calvinist teaching. Never any assurance of salvation at all because of this man's teaching. Finally, God led me straight to Andy Woods. What a breath of fresh air! We 'can know' we are saved, even if we go through a dry spell. God's Word is very clear about the Gospel message. I no longer listen to any Calvinist preacher. I've had more joy in my life over my salvation and 'love' serving God by serving others. My focus has shifted from 'me' (always focusing on myself to see if something I just now thought or did puts me in the camp of a self-deceived person who is only 'almost' a Christian (Matthew Meade's book quoted by this Calvinistpastor/teacher)shifted to Him (His honor & glory)
Very good points and I don't advocate us continuously checking ourselves. The Holy Spirit will do a fine job of that Himself and applying the proper conviction. Paul even enforced this idea in 1 Corinthians 4:2-7
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
My emphasis in this OP was to those who find themselves relying on some commitment made in Sunday School 40 years ago that was to please their parents or SS teacher rather than having heard from God and becoming born again. I've known many who claim to be saved yet show no desire to pray, read nor fellowship with other believers, but would rather buy lottery tickets, read their horoscopes in the newspaper and meet with their buddies at the local watering hole. This doesn't mean they aren't saved. Only God can see their heart. But there is no evidence of Christ in their life so Paul says to assume they aren't saved and to treat them as such (Praying for their salvation, etc. as we would for any unbeliever.) 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. For us to "observe our rock now and again" is for our own assurance as believers, that yes, Jesus is working in me, even though I am not always showing it. Generally, we who are saved know it, are kept humble by our shortcomings, and rejoice when we see Jesus using us. Problems come when our focus is on ourselves rather than on Jesus.
Peter seeing him [John] saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:21-22
Blessings.
 
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