Issue 678 – Desert Roses – March 9, 2022
The sand rose, or desert rose, is a wondrous thing to behold. It has a delicate beauty that is hard to imagine. There is no fragrance to the desert rose because while it may look like a flower, it is a mineral concretion. It may crumble into nothing at a touch.
There are many such “flowers” and “plants.” Gypsum crystals form various “flowers” that were once believed to be petrified flowers. Aragonite is another mineral that can create beautiful shapes resembling flowers, crystal clusters or even white Christmas trees.
These various mineral formations look like flowers and trees, but they are not.
I sometimes see a similar thing in the church. The church is full of people who attend regularly and would call themselves Christians. In fact, from a quick outward glance, anyone looking might think that’s what they are, but their hearts are still stone. They are still dead in their sin.
While some are hypocrites, playing a role for business or social reasons, many are not even aware that they haven’t truly been born again. I have met plenty of people who have told me that they attended church for years, believing they were Christians, only to encounter Christ finally and then believe for the first time.
They have often assumed that being a church member or baptized, or other work or ritual makes them Christian. Many people have said to me, “I must be a Christian; I live in a Christian country.” They don’t understand what makes a Christian.
Belonging to a church, doing churchy things or having a Christian heritage can all be good things, but they are not the hallmark of being a Christian. A Christian is a person whose heart of stone has been and is continuing to be transformed by Christ. A Christian is a person who was dead in the spirit because of sin but was born again through Jesus Christ.
There is much baggage accompanying the words “born again,” but the truth is simple, we cannot be a Christian without having a rebirth experience. Jesus tells us that we must be born again in John’s gospel. We must be born by faith in what Christ has done.
If there are real and false Christians in the church, how can we tell them apart?
We watch for their spiritual fruit; all believers will exhibit growth in this area over time. We look for their love. We are told in the Scriptures to love.
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Matthew 22:34-39
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
That love will also show in obedience to God.
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
None of us can love or obey perfectly, but we need to look deep within if there is neither. Stone “flowers” have no fragrance, and stone “Christians” have no love or obedience.
Until next time may your love (and obedience)shine brightly, so all the world knows that you belong to Him.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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