What understanding do you have of the salvation of your soul? The work of salvation means that in your real life things are dramatically changed. You no longer look at things in the same way. Your desires are new and the old things have lost their power to attract you. One of the tests for determining if the work of salvation in your life is genuine is— has God changed the things that really matter to you? If you still yearn for the old things, it is absurd to talk about being born from above— you are deceiving yourself. If you are born again, the Spirit of God makes the change very evident in your real life and thought. And when a crisis comes, you are the most amazed person on earth at the wonderful difference there is in you. There is no possibility of imagining that you did it. It is this complete and amazing change that is the very evidence that you are saved.What difference has my salvation and sanctification made? For instance, can I stand in the light of 1 Corinthians 13 , or do I squirm and evade the issue? True salvation, worked out in me by the Holy Spirit, frees me completely. And as long as I “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), God sees nothing to rebuke because His life is working itself into every detailed part of my being, not on the conscious level, but even deeper than my consciousness.

 

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November 12, 2013

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, it feels like Chambers is preaching a “quid pro quo”. Not unlike the very conservative church where I grew up…And as long as I “walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7), God sees nothing to rebuke because His life is working itself into every detailed part of my being… It seems like he is saying that as long as I am a “good boy” You will not rebuke me. However, You have been teaching and reminding us for years that our salvation and sanctification has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with Jesus. Are we to question our salvation and sanctification every time we chose a selfish and self-serving thought or activity or action?  Do I evaluate my position and condition based on my human condition and inclination to choose my own ways? Or do we trust the substitution of Jesus and Spirit of God to complete the work You began in us? Do we trust that our surrender and that Your substitution is sufficient?

And God says…”Jesus paid it all. There is no activity, action or awareness that can or will change this truth. Are you to judge your condition and sanctification based on your conformity? A great deal of your self-examination and evaluation of your positioning with Me are based on man-made hurdles, culture and doctrines that you face every day:  what you eat, what you drink, how you are married, your relationships, how much you give or do not give, and on and on. The established church of any given era or geography  has set guidelines to help direct believers, however, whenever you are given rules and guidelines, instead of Jesus… there will always be doubts and confusion. It is the space where we give the enemy his opportunity because it is about your performance instead of the sacrifice and substitution of Jesus.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own ways and means and I will direct your paths. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus and I will give you the desires of your heart. You will not question your salvation or position with Me when you are connected and communicating with Jesus. And when you are not tightly connected and fall, my grace is sufficient to fill your gaps.”