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One of the first manifestations of Christ in the heart of a new believer
is a selfless desire to volunteer and serve others. This occurs at true
conversion for this reason:
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The true nature of God’s agape is a giving spirit. This is why the King James
version frequently (some 28X) translates agape as charity. Read these verses
and compare them to your preferred translation.
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the
bond of perfectness.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity
of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart,
and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
2 Timothy 3:6 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, charity, patience.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
3 John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom
if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith,
and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
One of the biggest weaknesses in the church is to allow love to be understood
in a worldly, romantic way and not understand the true charitable nature of agape.
Even when love is used in the translation, the giving, charitable nature should be evident.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is
the fulfilling of the law.
2 Corinthians 8:
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others,
and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Galatians 5:
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;
but faith which worketh by love.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an
occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Another powerful evidence of a converted heart is described here by King David:
Psalms 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, thou wilt not despise.
A truly broken convert often comes forward to the altar with heartfelt weeping. One of the more common observations I have made about people coming forward to the altar is for the reason of pleasing someone of the opposite sex who has been inviting them to their church.
I am not condemning this, but the point is that this is not true conversion.
A person will eventually realize that their desire to move forward in a relationship will require an acceptance and respect for the other’s faith, and their action is more a joining the church than a giving of themselves to Christ. This is supported by the common existence of a singles ministry and many divorcees looking for a second chance at a relationship. That person will eventually be broken by other circumstances, which will draw them closer to the Lord.
Finally, and may this be our prayer, that every new convert enjoys a new found sense
of peace and joy in knowing that they are right with God.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
is a selfless desire to volunteer and serve others. This occurs at true
conversion for this reason:
Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The true nature of God’s agape is a giving spirit. This is why the King James
version frequently (some 28X) translates agape as charity. Read these verses
and compare them to your preferred translation.
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the
bond of perfectness.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren,
as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity
of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth.
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart,
and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
2 Timothy 3:6 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith,
longsuffering, charity, patience.
1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
3 John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom
if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
Revelation 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith,
and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
One of the biggest weaknesses in the church is to allow love to be understood
in a worldly, romantic way and not understand the true charitable nature of agape.
Even when love is used in the translation, the giving, charitable nature should be evident.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is
the fulfilling of the law.
2 Corinthians 8:
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge,
and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others,
and to prove the sincerity of your love.
Galatians 5:
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;
but faith which worketh by love.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an
occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Another powerful evidence of a converted heart is described here by King David:
Psalms 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth
such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalms 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, thou wilt not despise.
A truly broken convert often comes forward to the altar with heartfelt weeping. One of the more common observations I have made about people coming forward to the altar is for the reason of pleasing someone of the opposite sex who has been inviting them to their church.
I am not condemning this, but the point is that this is not true conversion.
A person will eventually realize that their desire to move forward in a relationship will require an acceptance and respect for the other’s faith, and their action is more a joining the church than a giving of themselves to Christ. This is supported by the common existence of a singles ministry and many divorcees looking for a second chance at a relationship. That person will eventually be broken by other circumstances, which will draw them closer to the Lord.
Finally, and may this be our prayer, that every new convert enjoys a new found sense
of peace and joy in knowing that they are right with God.
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
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