Many people call themselves "Christians." But are they? What does "Christian" really mean anyway?  The term means to believe in Jesus. So maybe, the people who call themselves that, really do believe in Jesus.  Believe that He existed.  But is that what the Bible calls us to?  To just believe that He existed?  The Bible calls us to much more than that.  It calls us to believe not only that He existed, but also that He died to pay the penalty for our sin, that he resurrected 3 days later and is now STILL REIGNING in heaven, sitting at the right hand of God the Father.   After His death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit (the 3rd part of the Trinity: God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Spirit of God)  abides in every person who believes in this and lives a life of repentance that leads to holiness and righteousness.  Verse 24 of 1 John 3 says, "...And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."  Okay, so you say you believe in Jesus.  James 2:19 says, "Even the demons believe- and shudder!"  Believing that He existed or even exists isn't enough.  Has the Spirit been given to you? This is not a question that you might know the answer to.  It's a question that you have to be absolute certain about.  If you have received the Spirit, you will know.  This spirit is the one who purifies us from the inside out- molding us to be more like Jesus.  If your life shows no evidence of Jesus, I would question whether you truly have given your life to Him.  If you aren't sure, then I am certain that you haven't.  Make this decision today. (RECEIVING CHRIST)  When you are a true follower of Jesus, you align yourself with Him- through Scripture and through conviction of the Holy Spirit.  This requires obedience to His Word (the Bible) and to repentance of the sin revealed in you.  1 John 3:4 says, "No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him."  This is a great verse to test your "belief".  Are you repeating sin after sin that you know is wrong in the Bible?  Are you not turning away from it and trying to live a life of holiness?  If this is you, then you have neither seen Him or known Him.  Some of you are grumbling right now.  That's okay- this is the truth, and unless you want to inherit eternal death rather than life, then keep grumbling.  If you didn't realize the severity of your sin and honestly want to follow Jesus, then please humbly ask Jesus to forgive you.  This doesn't mean though, that tomorrow you keep living as you were- but that you begin your life in repentance- turning away from sin and toward Jesus.  The Holy Spirit will come and abide in you and will begin Divine transformation.  What great news!  When you truly love Jesus and follow Him, the world will hate you, because it hates Jesus.  So, "Do not be surprised-" as verse 13 says.  The great thing is, we don't have to live by their approval anymore, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)  We have a great God of grace, mercy, love and power on our side and even when we mess up, God in His mercy will forgive us and restore us.  Please email me if you have any questions, or if you are challenged by this.  I would love to pray for you and even get you connected to a local, Jesus following, Bible practicing church.

On 1 John Chapter 3

• Leanne