Subject: Abiding in Christ |
Bible Note: Jeff, Yes, I agree that a man's abiding is "a consistently improving situation that is ever drawing closer to the state" described in my previous post. It is as John MacArthur wrote when teaching on the evidences of genuine saving faith: "Without question Christians fail in each of these areas, but the direction of a Christian's life is to love God, hate sin, to live in humility and self-denial, recognizing his unworthiness and being devoted to the glory of God. It is not the perfection of one's life but the direction of a life that provides evidence of regeneration." "If you are a true Christian, you are going to be growing-and that means you are going to be more and more like Christ. Life produces itself. If you're alive you are going to grow, there's no other way. You'll improve. You'll increase. The Spirit will move you from one level of glory to the next. So examine your life. Do you see spiritual growth? Do you see the decreasing frequency of sin? Is there an increasing pattern of righteousness and devotion to God?" Grace to you, John |