Where's The Evidence?

Scripture

If you have really experienced the Anointed One, and heard his truth, it will be seen in your life, for we know that the ultimate reality is embodied in Jesus! And he taught you to let go of the lifestyle of the ancient man, the old self-life, which was corrupted by sinful and deceitful desires that spring from delusions. -Ephesians 4: 21-22

The invitation to salvation comes to every Christian. We accepted Jesus as the savior of our lives. After salvation, the process continued. Before a person is saved, the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work is active in their life, nudging them towards what is right and good. Ultimately, the person has to choose salvation. Therefore, after salvation, the process continues. Jesus isn't simply added to our old life to make things better for us. Our old life, which includes our thinking and habits, dies, and He becomes our new life. 

How does Jesus become our new life? We intentionally abide in Him, and learn of Him and His ways. We choose to walk with Him daily. He must be our choice! He's our choice in the morning hours. We abide with Him throughout our day, and in the evening as our day comes to a close. It is impossible for us to remain the same if we're in true fellowship with Jesus. We shift from knowing of Him to experiencing Him. For example, everything that comes in contact with fire is permanently changed. Isn't our God referred to as a consuming fire? The more of Him we experience in fellowship, the truth of who He is will be revealed to us. 

If we continually abide in Jesus, there will be evidence of it in our lives. Our conduct and thinking will be transformed. There must be a break away from what and who we used to be to the new creation we already are in Christ. This means that if we sin and fall back into old patterns, we will be convicted to repent. We will no longer be comfortable with sin in our lives because we're no longer who we used to be. Those around us will witness our new nature. We will love what is righteous, holy, and pure. We'll protect our new life by filtering what we listen to and watch. The closer we become to Jesus, the more we'll yield our lives to Him. The scriptures will come alive in our hearts, and our desire to know God's heart will grow. We'll be concerned with pleasing Him, and our lives will become a living testimony for all the world to see. Beloved, are you experiencing the Anointed One?

Prayer

Father, we desire to walk in true fellowship and to abide in you. We submit our lives to you and allow the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to transform our conduct and thinking today. You are our hearts' desire, Lord. Amen