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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 121934 | ||
He declined an invitation to church because, as he put it, he was afraid that he might “get saved or something”. Let us assume, if we can, that psychology is correct on this point, that change is always stressful. Add to that the fact the Bible says that salvation involves a change. We all know Ephesians 5:17. If all of that is true, then is it not reasonable that he should be afraid to get saved? It is probably not possible to tell someone ahead of time what change he will be subject to when he gets saved. One song I know laments like this: If I could only tell him as I know him My Redeemer who has lightened all my way If I could only tell how sweet his presence I am sure that you would make him yours today. But I can never tell him as I know him. Human tongue can never tell all love divine I only can entreat you to accept him You will know him only when you make him thine But when a person is saved, surely he gets to understand, as he experiences the changes! I have recently reestablished contact with that man after more than twenty (20) years, and he tells me he is saved now. And now, I ask this question, about him, and about saved people in general: According to the Bible, what change can we expect? |
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2 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | prazn | 121965 | ||
John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." Genuine salvation is not the result of human will power or intestinal fortitude or any other human effort (except the sincere confession and repentenance of our sins). It is the work of the Father (to draw) through His Son ("If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.") and the Holy Spirit (to convict of us our sinfulness). The Pharisees and Scribes were unable to believe that Jesus was their Messiah because they did not (and could not) recognize their need for salvation. They did not (and could not) believe that they were sinners because their hearts had been hardened. I believe that the change that takes place within the human soul, after confessing Jesus as Lord, differs for every individual. I've heard of people who received instantaneous transformations and deliverances immediately after confessing the Lord as Savior. Others, for whatever reason, take a little longer. However, they are no less "saved" than the folks who are seemingly changed over night. Consider, if you will, the healings that our Lord did among the people, when he walked the earth. Some were healed "immediately" (e.g., the woman with the issue of blood). Others experienced healing after the Lord took them through a "process" (e.g., the man born blind - John 9). The Bible says, in Romans 12:2 that we are transformed (i.e., minds renewed) as we feed upon the Word of God. But, evidence of that transformation is not always manifested by outward appearance ("...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7) The good news is that God is not on "our" time clock. Glory to God! He has promised in Philippians 1:6, that if He has begun a "good work" in us, He will be "faithful to complete it." God makes all things beautiful in His time! grace and peace! prazn |
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