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The Real Thing
March 27, 2012

A church in Naperville, Illinois, is basking in excitement about its brand-new bells in the belfry above its sanctuary. When the church was built many years ago, they didn’t have the money to purchase bells. However, for its 25th anniversary they were able to raise the funds to hang three bells in the vacant space. Even though they are stunning, there is one problem: the congregation will never hear the bells ring. Although they look real, they are artificial.

The apostle John wrote his first epistle to encourage believers not to just look like real Christians, but to prove they are genuine by how they live. The evidence that a person’s faith is real is not found in some mystical experience with God. The proof that people truly know and love God is found in submitting to His authority and to His Word. John writes, “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:5-6).

If we claim that we have been transformed by the gospel and intimately know and love God, we should validate it by our obedience to His Word.

Don’t listen to the Word of God
And then ignore what you have heard;
Instead obey God’s will for you—
Be doers of the Word. —Sper

Obedience to God is an expression of our love for God.

Read: 1 John 2:3-11

Whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. —1 John 2:5

Bible in a Year:
2 Samuel 16-18

Emphasis ...

“The proof that people truly know and love God is found in submitting to His authority and to His Word. John writes, “But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:5-6).”
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I fear churches today are teaching feel good messages on practical living and presenting few challenges to how their congregation lives. There is a phrase or acronym used here on Free Republic, 'RINO'. (Republican in name only) Perhaps the churches have slid bit by bid into 'CINO'. Christian in name only. Sad commentary. Think of all the people that are mislead. They are trusting without reading and knowing the Scriptures. God forgive us. Have mercy LORD,send thy spirit to their need, in Jesus name amen.