We’ve seen that believers can demonstrate unbelieving characteristics, so what do we do with the passage above, (and other Scriptures like it, such as 1 John 3:6)? “All things new? I don’t feel like a brand new person!” you may say. It is common to feel discouraged upon discovering that we don’t immediately seem too different in some areas from what we were before – our sinful desires didn’t all disappear overnight. It is because of this that many people get ‘born again’ over and over again and many just give up and stop trying. The error is in our understanding of what it means to BE IN Christ. (See John 15:4-10, 1 John 3:24) We abide in Christ (as He abides in us through His Spirit) by keeping His commandments. This ‘abiding in obedience’ is discipleship. That’s the next stage, where we sanctify ourselves through obedience to His word. It’s also important to note that God often speaks of things which are not (but will be) as though they (presently) are – Romans 4:17. He called Abraham the father of many nations when he had no children, and through only Isaac was his seed called. Yet, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2); He said that Abraham would be the father of many nations, and truly he is. Everyone who believes is a descendant of Abraham (Galatians 3:7), and so Abraham is the father of many nations (not just physical Israel), with children as many as the stars in the sky.
Becoming a believer is a wonderful thing, but it’s just the first step – our spiritual birth as God’s children. God wants His children to learn His ways and grow up behaving like Him more and more – He wants us to become His disciples.
This is the first part of the BELIEVER’S BIBLE SCHOOL Course. To view all parts, click the link below.
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