Christsfreeservant

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An Original Work / November 22, 2018

On this Thanksgiving Day,
What is it you say?
Do your words honor God,
Or are you a fraud?

Is your heart full of praise?
Your lips to him raise?
Such honor, you give him,
Because you believe him?

Are you thankful he died
On a cross for your sin?
Have you forsaken sin,
Your life now in Him?

Or…

Are your thoughts filled with greed?
Your stomachs you feed?
And, He’s barely mentioned,
Not even intentioned?

It’s a day of tradition?
Not of contrition?
It’s a day to receive?
But not to believe?

So…

Why do we celebrate?
What purpose, give you?
To whom are we thankful?
Our worship give due?

Should God not be first?
Our praise to Him give?
Our thoughts focused on Him?
Our lives, for Him live?

So…

Today, let’s reflect on Him.
Give Him our praise.
Let’s lift up our voices,
Our hearts to him raise.

Let’s give Him the honor
That truly is due to Him.
Not just with words we speak,
But, Jesus Christ we seek.

Let’s give our all to Him,
Not just today,
But fully, completely,
Be Jesus’ always.
 

*Light*

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Greetings, Christsfreeservant!

Thank you kindly for sharing this, Christsfreeservant. This needed to be told to those who are in the *dark* about this. One of the troubling aspects of most Holidays are people wanting to do "good" ONLY on those days; let's say . . . Thanksgiving or Christmas season for example. I personally do not celebrate Thanksgiving where I'm from; but our affections should always be Christ-Centered. Many of this world only have a pretense of love and gratitude only during certain seasons of a year; and so I ask myself . . . why? Why must we wait until a Holiday to express our love and admiration to those whom we love? Even more troubling is that the word *Holiday* is derived from two words: *Holy* and *Day*. So essentially it's a day "set apart" (note: compare the biblical Greek word for *Holy*; "hagiazo" -- to "set apart" or to "sanctify") for specific purposes. Christians should not "set apart" a day in which they decide to be Thankful, Giving, or expressing Love one to another; this should be done ALL THE TIME -- as God's Will ought to be done on Earth as it would be done in Heaven. We should be *Holy* (i.e., "set apart") in the sense that we are children of *Light* -- and that *Light* should not be hid from the World; but displayed with Divine Love, Compassion, Kindness, Selflessness, etc.

I know several people in my life who behave as if they were my Archnemesis; and when the Holidays come around, these eccedentesiasts decide to put on their smiley "masks". And when the Holiday season is finally over . . . they revert back to their old self -- which is their TRUE self; and this just breaks my heart and grieves me. ONLY a heart *transformed* from the *inside* can produce in a person *fruits* of Joy, Love, and Selflessness which will Last and *remain* in them.

As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of Christ to take His Bride home to be with Him at His Father's House, an increase in apathy will soon reach its pinnacle. Unknown to some, there seems to be two references about Christmas in the entirety of Scripture. The first is The Birth of Christ, and the other is mentioned in the book of Revelation.

"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall REJOICE over them, and MAKE MERRY, and shall SEND GIFTS ONE TO ANOTHER; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Revelation 11:8-10)"

In Closing:

We can see the level of depravity that this world and its system will become at the last times. We begin with the TRUE celebration of *The Birth of Christ* to what it has now become today -- i.e., the TRUE meaning behind Christmas celebrated only by a *remnant* of *genuine* believers; and then culminating at the time of the end when the entire *deceived* world will be sending "gifts" and being "merry" over the momentary death of the messengers who serve The One True Living God. The remnant of True believers today are God-Centered; and their *desire* is NOT what God or others can do for them -- but rather what can they do for God first, and then others. This is the TRUE meaning of *Giving* -- and such can only be done in all sincerity from those who are *Pure in Heart*.

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)"

God Bless!
 
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SaintCody777

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This needed to be told to those who are in the *dark* about this. One of the troubling aspects of most Holidays are people wanting to do "good" ONLY on those days; let's say . . . Thanksgiving or Christmas season for example. I personally do not celebrate Thanksgiving where I'm from; but our affections should always be Christ-Centered. Many of this world only have a pretense of love and gratitude only during certain seasons of a year; and so I ask myself . . . why? Why must we wait until a Holiday to express our love and admiration to those whom we love? Even more troubling is that the word *Holiday* is derived from two words: *Holy* and *Day*. So essentially it's a day "set apart" (note: compare the biblical Greek word for *Holy*; "hagiazo" -- to "set apart" or to "sanctify") for specific purposes. Christians should not "set apart" a day in which they decide to be Thankful, Giving, or expressing Love one to another; this should be done ALL THE TIME -- as God's Will ought to be done on Earth as it would be done in Heaven. We should be *Holy* (i.e., "set apart") in the sense that we are children of *Light* -- and that *Light* should not be hid from the World; but displayed with Divine Love, Compassion, Kindness, Selflessness, etc.

I know several people in my life who behave as if they were my Archnemesis; and when the Holidays come around, these eccedentesiasts decide to put on their smiley "masks". And when the Holiday season is finally over . . . they revert back to their old self -- which is their TRUE self; and this just breaks my heart and grieves me. ONLY a heart *transformed* from the *inside* can produce in a person *fruits* of Joy, Love, and Selflessness which will Last and *remain* in them.

Before I became serious about my faith, that's what I used to do. I would understand and observe the birth of Jesus on Christmas as the true meaning of Christmas. At Christmastime when I was a teen, I used to mask my actual apathy towards God with devotion to the birth of Christ and being giving to others and being kind just so that people would recognize me as a "kind, caring" person around Christmas time.
But once the season was over, I reverted to my true self centered self. I watched "soft" hentai and "soft" inappropriate contentography and l lusted a lot. I also saw that getting the most toys and pleasures in the Earth and enjoying life all for myself is the true reason of life.
Same thing with Easter. On Good Friday, I used to over devote to therapy dressing in black, doing rosaries, and going to confession and mass. Then I would act all holy on the Easter vigil. But after Easter, I reverted right back to my true self. I was a total Pharisee.

By the way when Christmas movies speak about the true meaning of Christmas, they think it's that fuzzy Christmas spirit and family, like in Jim Carrey's Grinch at that scene when the Whos were crying because the Grinch took everything. Then Cindy LouWho's dad said presents is not the true meaning of Christmas, that family is. I also used to think that the birth of Jesus was just a nice fuzzy kind thing from God, not knowing that the Birth of Jesus was really important because without the Virgin Birth, there would be no Passion, no new Covenant, and no Resurrection. I didn't connect the dots until I got serious about my faith.
 
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Christsfreeservant

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Greetings, Christsfreeservant!

Thank you kindly for sharing this, Christsfreeservant. This needed to be told to those who are in the *dark* about this. One of the troubling aspects of most Holidays are people wanting to do "good" ONLY on those days; let's say . . . Thanksgiving or Christmas season for example. I personally do not celebrate Thanksgiving where I'm from; but our affections should always be Christ-Centered. Many of this world only have a pretense of love and gratitude only during certain seasons of a year; and so I ask myself . . . why? Why must we wait until a Holiday to express our love and admiration to those whom we love? Even more troubling is that the word *Holiday* is derived from two words: *Holy* and *Day*. So essentially it's a day "set apart" (note: compare the biblical Greek word for *Holy*; "hagiazo" -- to "set apart" or to "sanctify") for specific purposes. Christians should not "set apart" a day in which they decide to be Thankful, Giving, or expressing Love one to another; this should be done ALL THE TIME -- as God's Will ought to be done on Earth as it would be done in Heaven. We should be *Holy* (i.e., "set apart") in the sense that we are children of *Light* -- and that *Light* should not be hid from the World; but displayed with Divine Love, Compassion, Kindness, Selflessness, etc.

I know several people in my life who behave as if they were my Archnemesis; and when the Holidays come around, these eccedentesiasts decide to put on their smiley "masks". And when the Holiday season is finally over . . . they revert back to their old self -- which is their TRUE self; and this just breaks my heart and grieves me. ONLY a heart *transformed* from the *inside* can produce in a person *fruits* of Joy, Love, and Selflessness which will Last and *remain* in them.

As we draw nearer to the Second Coming of Christ to take His Bride home to be with Him at His Father's House, an increase in apathy will soon reach its pinnacle. Unknown to some, there seems to be two references about Christmas in the entirety of Scripture. The first is The Birth of Christ, and the other is mentioned in the book of Revelation.

"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall REJOICE over them, and MAKE MERRY, and shall SEND GIFTS ONE TO ANOTHER; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (Revelation 11:8-10)"

In Closing:

We can see the level of depravity that this world and its system will become at the last times. We begin with the TRUE celebration of *The Birth of Christ* to what it has now become today -- i.e., the TRUE meaning behind Christmas celebrated only by a *remnant* of *genuine* believers; and then culminating at the time of the end when the entire *deceived* world will be sending "gifts" and being "merry" over the momentary death of the messengers who serve The One True Living God. The remnant of True believers today are God-Centered; and their *desire* is NOT what God or others can do for them -- but rather what can they do for God first, and then others. This is the TRUE meaning of *Giving* -- and such can only be done in all sincerity from those who are *Pure in Heart*.

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)"

God Bless!

Light - Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this subject. Yes, every day should be a holy day unto the Lord. We should celebrate Jesus every day, not just specific days of the year, especially if we don't even really celebrate him at all on those days, which many do not. And, yes, apathy is everywhere and is increasing greatly. And, Jesus Christ's return is all the more close.
 
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Christsfreeservant

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Before I became serious about my faith, that's what I used to do. I would understand and observe the birth of Jesus on Christmas as the true meaning of Christmas. At Christmastime when I was a teen, I used to mask my actual apathy towards God with devotion to the birth of Christ and being giving to others and being kind just so that people would recognize me as a "kind, caring" person around Christmas time.
But once the season was over, I reverted to my true self centered self. I watched "soft" hentai and "soft" inappropriate contentography and l lusted a lot. I also saw that getting the most toys and pleasures in the Earth and enjoying life all for myself is the true reason of life.
Same thing with Easter. On Good Friday, I used to over devote to therapy dressing in black, doing rosaries, and going to confession and mass. Then I would act all holy on the Easter vigil. But after Easter, I reverted right back to my true self. I was a total Pharisee.

By the way when Christmas movies speak about the true meaning of Christmas, they think it's that fuzzy Christmas spirit and family, like in Jim Carrey's Grinch at that scene when the Whos were crying because the Grinch took everything. Then Cindy LouWho's dad said presents is not the true meaning of Christmas, that family is. I also used to think that the birth of Jesus was just a nice fuzzy kind thing from God, not knowing that the Birth of Jesus was really important because without the Virgin Birth, there would be no Passion, no new Covenant, and no Resurrection. I didn't connect the dots until I got serious about my faith.

Saint Cody, Thank you, too, for sharing your thoughts and your testimony. Yes, many people are very hypocritical about their religious celebrations. Personally, I do not celebrate Easter or Christmas because Jesus is upstaged by false gods on both of these days, most especially at Christmas where a false god Santa (Satan) takes on the attributes of God in that he knows all, sees all, and is able to travel the whole earth in a single night and give gifts to the children of the whole world. In the minds of young children, Christmas is about Santa and reindeer and presents, and Jesus is portrayed as a helpless baby in a manger. This is on purpose, and this is of Satan, I believe.

On Easter it is about the Easter Bunny and colored eggs and baskets and candy and dress up, and young children are focused on Easter Egg hunts and what they are going to get, and their minds are set on the things of this world and material possessions rather than on Jesus Christ and what he desires and requires of us. And, so, although these holidays are promoted as Christian holidays, I believe very much that they were purposefully designed to take away the attention from Jesus Christ rather than the other way around, and to make Jesus seem weak and helpless while Santa and the Easter Bunny do miraculous things and give them gifts.

When we celebrate Jesus, it should be that we celebrate him in his entirety, that he came to earth, was born as a baby, that he walked this earth as a man and preached the message of the gospel and healed the sick and raised the dead, and that he suffered much persecution and was killed, but in his death and resurrection he provided the way for us to be free from our slavery to sin so that we can walk daily in his love and in his righteousness. And, we should celebrate him every day by living for him and doing what he says and following him wherever he leads us.
 
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Thank you guys also for sharing your food for thought, because we all need this. I am thankful to you both.

I want to say from the outset that I commend the both of you guys for your humility; and such a display of a * meek and humble* heart is a rarity these days among Christians. This is Truly a beatitude attitude. Humility is an important aspect when it comes to our prayers being answered; because God *resists* the proud but *gives grace* to the humble (Ps. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; 29:23; Matt. 23:12; Lk. 1:52; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5b). Although this may seem somewhat "off topic" -- I see it fit that this needed to be mentioned as the Lord told me so; and for the sake of other readers who may *learn* a *valuable lesson* from this.

I think we've all been through that phase at some point of our lives. We can never grow spiritually if we were to not recognize the error of our ways; something akin to not knowing what *True Good* is if we had not known what true evil is. The Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was without a doubt the WORST evil perpetrated by man -- or at least part of the entire scope of *human* and *demonic* evil. But without God's Divine providence, we would never be reconciled with Him, or have peace in and with Him. Jesus said that the greatest type of Love is sacrificial; and laying down our lives for others is divine. We could never understand what the Highest form of Love this side of "Heaven" without the Love God has displayed to us by sending His Son to pay our sin debt in full. Even in this phase of life . . . we can never understand the depths of God's Love in our *humanity* until we see Him face to face; then we will understand just how great His Love for us Truly is.

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)"

"I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)"

"And all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelaion 2:23)"

Even the best of us fall into sin from time to time; but God sees our *hearts* and *understands* the depths of our desires. King David may have sinned against the LORD, but God searched his heart and understood (better than David himself) that David was a man after God's own heart (cf. 1 Sam. 13:14; 16:7; Ps. 18:1; 119:11; Acts 13:22). What stood out in the things you had wrote regarding your *old self* and your pattern of life in the past is very interesting. It is apparent that you are now a *new creation* in Christ by being born from above. The reason I decided to bring that up was because I have seen so many professing "Christians" who claim to be born-again; but I see no evidence that such is the case. Some might accuse me of being judgmental; however, Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruit; and we are to exercise the ability to judge using *righteous judgment* (Lk, 6:43-45; Jn. 7:24). The context Jesus was speaking here refers to "hypocritical" judgment -- as the Pharisees had a habit of doing. And they were also filled with "dead mens bones" and *all manner* of hypocrisy.

It grieves me to know that MANY nominal "Christians" are *deceived* into "believing" that they are saved and on their way to Heaven, when they were *never* saved to begin with, and are in danger of hellfire and Eternal Punishment. The "Christians" I am referring to in the above are likened unto "friends" who had turned their backs on me when I decided to begin a ministry with them being involved. I have known them for at least 20 years; and they are the same person they were before they got "saved" . . . if not WORSE. No conformity to the image of Christ forming in them (cf. Jn. 13:15; Rom. 8:29; 12:2; 13:14; 1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1-2; Phil. 2:5; 2 Cor. 4:10; et al). So I will be creating a thread dealing with the subject of false CONversions as I am deeply concerned for those who may "feel" saved -- but are not in reality.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither he tempteth any man. [But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed]. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:13-15)"

I find that MOST Christians who are *battling their sins* do not take into consideration *how* and *when* they are to *nip sin in the bud*. I placed the [double brackets] so show emphasis on HOW and WHEN to deal with sin before it turns into a snowball effect. That portion of the above passage is to be overcomed by *walking in the Spirit* -- and to be *FILLED with the Spirit* (cf. Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:18). And once again, thank you for sharing your testimony to me and others.

God Bless!
 
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Christsfreeservant

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Thank you guys also for sharing your food for thought, because we all need this. I am thankful to you both.

I want to say from the outset that I commend the both of you guys for your humility; and such a display of a * meek and humble* heart is a rarity these days among Christians. This is Truly a beatitude attitude. Humility is an important aspect when it comes to our prayers being answered; because God *resists* the proud but *gives grace* to the humble (Ps. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; 29:23; Matt. 23:12; Lk. 1:52; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5b). Although this may seem somewhat "off topic" -- I see it fit that this needed to be mentioned as the Lord told me so; and for the sake of other readers who may *learn* a *valuable lesson* from this.

I think we've all been through that phase at some point of our lives. We can never grow spiritually if we were to not recognize the error of our ways; something akin to not knowing what *True Good* is if we had not known what true evil is. The Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was without a doubt the WORST evil perpetrated by man -- or at least part of the entire scope of *human* and *demonic* evil. But without God's Divine providence, we would never be reconciled with Him, or have peace in and with Him. Jesus said that the greatest type of Love is sacrificial; and laying down our lives for others is divine. We could never understand what the Highest form of Love this side of "Heaven" without the Love God has displayed to us by sending His Son to pay our sin debt in full. Even in this phase of life . . . we can never understand the depths of God's Love in our *humanity* until we see Him face to face; then we will understand just how great His Love for us Truly is.

"But the LORD said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)"

"I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)"

"And all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Revelaion 2:23)"

Even the best of us fall into sin from time to time; but God sees our *hearts* and *understands* the depths of our desires. King David may have sinned against the LORD, but God searched his heart and understood (better than David himself) that David was a man after God's own heart (cf. 1 Sam. 13:14; 16:7; Ps. 18:1; 119:11; Acts 13:22). What stood out in the things you had wrote regarding your *old self* and your pattern of life in the past is very interesting. It is apparent that you are now a *new creation* in Christ by being born from above. The reason I decided to bring that up was because I have seen so many professing "Christians" who claim to be born-again; but I see no evidence that such is the case. Some might accuse me of being judgmental; however, Jesus said that a tree is known by its fruit; and we are to exercise the ability to judge using *righteous judgment* (Lk, 6:43-45; Jn. 7:24). The context Jesus was speaking here refers to "hypocritical" judgment -- as the Pharisees had a habit of doing. And they were also filled with "dead mens bones" and *all manner* of hypocrisy.

It grieves me to know that MANY nominal "Christians" are *deceived* into "believing" that they are saved and on their way to Heaven, when they were *never* saved to begin with, and are in danger of hellfire and Eternal Punishment. The "Christians" I am referring to in the above are likened unto "friends" who had turned their backs on me when I decided to begin a ministry with them being involved. I have known them for at least 20 years; and they are the same person they were before they got "saved" . . . if not WORSE. No conformity to the image of Christ forming in them (cf. Jn. 13:15; Rom. 8:29; 12:2; 13:14; 1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:1-2; Phil. 2:5; 2 Cor. 4:10; et al). So I will be creating a thread dealing with the subject of false CONversions as I am deeply concerned for those who may "feel" saved -- but are not in reality.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither he tempteth any man. [But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed]. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:13-15)"

I find that MOST Christians who are *battling their sins* do not take into consideration *how* and *when* they are to *nip sin in the bud*. I placed the [double brackets] so show emphasis on HOW and WHEN to deal with sin before it turns into a snowball effect. That portion of the above passage is to be overcomed by *walking in the Spirit* -- and to be *FILLED with the Spirit* (cf. Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:18). And once again, thank you for sharing your testimony to me and others.

God Bless!

Light, Thank you for sharing these additional thoughts here. Yes, being a follower of Jesus means that we die with him to sin that we might live to him and to his righteousness. And, yes, we must be very careful that we don't make judgments of other people and their walks of faith based on our own human understanding, for we tend to judge by outward appearance, but God judges the heart, for he sees the heart.

Yet, it is also true that if we are truly walking according to the Spirit, and no longer according to the flesh, that this should be evidenced by how we live our lives. So, if someone makes a practice of sin and has no shame about it at all, we can safely assume this person either never did believe in Jesus, or that he or she has fallen away from his or her pure devotion to Christ and is in need of revival.

And, yes, we must also guard against hypocritical judging where we judge others' specks in their eyes while we overlook a log in our own. First we must remove the log from our own eyes, then we will see clearly to take the speck out of a brother's or a sister's eyes.

But, again, we must be so careful that we don't judge others by human standards or by our own traditions and cultures which may or may not be in line with God's Word. But, we must make all judgments by the Word of God, and for the purpose always to help a fallen brother or sister back on his feet.
 
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Thank you for your candid reply, sister Sue; for it is very informative to us all here.

My sincerest apologies if I had derailed your thread and went off on a tangent. I felt led by the Spirit to write those words -- -- and prayed before asking that the LORD uses me as a *vessel* to speak the Words that needed to be spoken for the building up of the Body of Christ -- but without the spell check and precise grammar not included. One of the reasons as to why I decided to make known the *genuineness* of a person's Salvation as part of my ministry was because I have seen too many "professing" Christians fall by the wayside. There are indeed absolutes that clearly show us how we can test the spirits (1 John 4:1-3), and to recognize the *fruits* of those who "profess" to be save -- and most *false conversions* are usually based on their *emotions* rather than the infallible Words of God. And yes, one must remove the *plank* in their own eyes to see with absolute clarity; then we will be *well-equipped* and able to minister to those who are struggling with sin or hypocrisy.

Absolutes in recognizing false conversion can be determined if one has the gift of spiritual discernment. In addition . . . have we seen any *conformity* in the said believer? I don't mean this as judging a persons heart over a day, month, or even years. If a nominal Christian "professes" to be saved; but there is no evidence of spiritual growth over the course of 20 years, then the *genuineness* of their Salvation needs to examined in the light of Scripture, and through the Double-Edged Sword of the Word of God. There is so much more that needed to be said, but I will create a new thread in where the focus of the topic is discussed at length.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and the joints and marrow, and it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)"

God Bless!
 
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