Learning from the Holy Spirit

I just love it when I read God's Word and the Holy Spirit opens my eyes to teach me something. God's Word truly is alive. The Holy Spirit truly is able to teach each child of God. I read Acts chapter 8 yesterday and it reaffirmed some stuff that God has been teaching me this past year.

Well, two things caught my attention: the fact that Peter and John had to lay there hands on the believers before they received the Holy Spirit, and Simon the sorcerer. The latter one is what God really opened my eyes too. It says in Acts 8:12, 13 that Simon also believed Philip's preaching concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. So Simon believe that Jesus was the Christ. Yet he wasn't a child of God because verses 14-25 talk about how when Simon saw how Peter and John laid hands on the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit, he wanted to pay them for that power. Peter told Simon that his money perishes with himself, that he had not part in the matter, his heart was not right in the sight of God, to repent of his wickedness, and that he was still in the bond of iniquity.

James 2:19 says that if you believe that there is one God you do well, but the devils also believe and tremble. The devil and fallen angels know who the Christ is, but they are not children of God.

The story of the devils being cast into the swine show that the devils call Jesus the Son of God, yet they are not children of God. They know that they are reserved for torture, not redemption. (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-17, Luke 8:26-37)

Matthew 7:21-23 is another sobering reminder that there are false believers. Jesus Himself said that not everyone who calls Him "Lord, Lord" will enter into the kingdom of heaven. He said that only those that do the will of His Father in heaven will. He'll say to those false believers, "Depart from me you that work iniquity."


All of this leads to false believers. I fear that there are many. Many. false believers out there. Some may not even know it because of the soft cushy gospel that is so prevalent these days. I'm sure it's always been there as a false gospel, but my eyes have been opened to it so much this past year that I see it more now than I have the past 7 years I have been a disciple of Christ. The gospel that only believe Jesus is the Redeemer of the world and you're going to heaven. It's not just believing that Jesus is the One and Only Redeemer. It's being converted. Being changed. Being transformed. It's counting the costs of discipleship and forsaking your old ways in the pursuit of ONLY looking to please God, your Creator. Luke 9:57-62 talks about the true cost of discipleship. Jesus said, "No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Now when you are converted you don't just wake up and never sin again. I'm not that foolish. However, when you are converted your desire is to glorify God no matter what. That is hard to swallow. We as humans want to be accepted. We don't want to be rejected and made an outcast. Yet, that is what Christ promises His disciples. Christ promises His followers persecution and trials. He does not promise them wealth, earthly happiness, acceptance by peers, a steady job, a nice house, 2 cars, happy family with 2.1 kids (or whatever the "norm" is), money in the bank, etc. He promises to provide for His children's necessities (food and clothing) to cover what you need, not what you like, want or think you need. It's something that I know I have been guilty of believing at times.

"Come to Jesus and everything will work out" That is a false gospel.

"Count the cost and turn towards your Redeemer. Forsake your sins. All your trials will lead to the GLORY OF GOD." That is what should be preached!