THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD OF GOD AND A CHILD OF THE WORLD There is always a difference between a child of God and a child of the world. If you do not belong to God (the Holy and Righteous One), then you belong to Satan (the evil and wicked one)! A child of God is in the condition of living unto God; and therefore he/she is in the state of being alive to holiness, righteousness, justice, godliness and humility. In this sense, he/she shows a lifestyle characterised by separation from sin, worldliness, iniquities, ungodliness, evil, wickedness, unrighteousness, injustice, pride and arrogance. On the other hand, a child of the world is in the condition of living away from God; and therefore he/she is in the state of being dead to holiness, righteousness, justice, godliness and humility. This means that he/she will definitely show a lifestyle characterised by sins, worldliness, iniquities, ungodliness, evil, wickedness, unrighteousness, injustice, pride and arrogance. However, the following are the characters verified in a child of the world: > He/she does not fear Gods wrath against sin and worldliness due to disobeying the Word of God, that is, the Holy Bible! Therefore, he/she does not live according to the commandments, laws or rules, and instructions of God contained therein. > He/she have a way of life that displeases and offends God. > He/she loves what Satan loves (sin, worldliness, iniquities, ungodliness, evil, wickedness, unrighteousness, injustice, pride and arrogance) and hate what Satan hates (holiness, righteousness, justice, godliness and humility), as well as always doing the will of Satan. > He/she is directly or indirectly worshipping and serving Satan. > He/she is impure and extremely bad in an immoral and irreligious way. As a matter of fact, those who follow Satan, the enemy of God, will spend eternity in hell fire! Nevertheless, a child of the world is born of the flesh (i.e., natural birth). Whoever does not have the Holy Spirit is therefore spiritually dead! This implies that a child of the world is not born again in Christ Jesus, thus, he/she is not filled with the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:19; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). For this reason, he/she will experience the last or final judgement (full wrath) of God, but will pass from death to death (Revelation 20:13-14; Revelation 21:8; Romans 6:23; John 3:18). One thing is certain, the person does not love the things of the Holy Spirit, but rather love the things of the flesh. The Bible says, Those who are in flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8 ESV). In other words, a child of the world is a natural and carnal person; a child of the flesh. This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God.... (Romans 9:8 ESV). Therefore, there is a need for a spiritual birth (i.e., to be born again) by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit in the life of a child of the world. Let us still look at the characters verified in a child of God: > He/she fears Gods wrath against sin and worldliness due to obeying the Word of God, that is, the Holy Bible. Therefore, he/she lives according to the commandments, laws or rules, and instructions of God contained therein. > He/she have a way of life that pleases and amuses God. > He/she loves what God loves (holiness, righteousness, justice, godliness and humility) and hate what God hates (sin, worldliness, iniquities, ungodliness, evil, wickedness, unrighteousness, injustice, pride and arrogance), as well as always doing the perfect Will of God. > He/she is always glorifying and serving God. > He/she is pure and good in a moral and christian way. The truth is, those who follow Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, will inherit eternity in Heaven! A child of God is born again in Christ. He/she is born of the Spirit, washed in the Blood of Jesus; however, His seed is planted in him/her (1 John 3:9; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:7). That means that the Holy Spirit dwells in a child of God. Anybody who have the Holy Spirit is therefore spiritually alive! For this reason, a child of God will not experience the last or final judgement (full wrath) of God, but will pass from death to life (John 5:24; Revelation 2:11; John 3:36). One thing is certain, the person does not love the things of the flesh, but rather love the things of the Holy Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:5-6 ESV). In that respect, let there always be a distinction between a child of God and a child of the world! A child of God is supposed to live his/her life according to the principles, teachings and values taught by the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike the child of the world who is enslaved to the elementary principles and values of the world! As a child of God, you must be separated from the world. Do not be worldly-minded; instead, be heavenly-minded. Let the things of God be your priority. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth (Colossians 3:2 ESV). Always aim at holiness; for God is holy; and you have to be holy (Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:13-16). Without holiness, no one will see God (Hebrews 12:14). In conclusion, you can no longer live for yourself. You must live for Jesus Christ who died for your sins! Be identified with Christ in your thoughts, lifestyle, behaviour, dress and actions. Check, examine and test yourself on daily basis, to see whether there is any evil and sinful ways in you! Scrutinize your ways, confess your sins and secret sins to Jesus and repent from them (Acts 3:19). Furthermore, do not put your trust in wealth and riches; instead, be dedicated to Gods purpose and perfect Will. Seek first the reign of Jesus Christ in your life, and long life, honour, wealth and riches will be added unto you. Commit your material possessions, wealth and riches unto God (see 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Luke 12:15). However, it will be difficult for those who trust in wealth and riches to inherit eternal life in Heaven (see Mark 10:23-25). And remember that you can not serve two masters at the same time, that is, you can not serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Peace be unto you. Jesus is on His way! Be prepared! PRAYER POINTS Note: if you would like to be a born-again, Spirit-filled Christian, then say the first and second prayer point with faith and with all your heart! Say it now, for tomorrow may be to late! You need to be saved! Here is the free gift of salvation from God: 1. I accept you, Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour. I confess you as the Son of God. I believe in you that you died for my sins and resurrected on the third day. I ask for your forgiveness of my sins. Forgive me and wash away my sins with your precious Blood. Give me your eternal life. Write my name in the Book of Life. Oh Lord, be my resurrection and my life, in Jesus name. Amen. 2. Oh Lord, transform me and fill me with your Holy Spirit in full measure, in Jesus name. Amen. 3. Holy Spirit, eliminate any desires and works of the flesh in me and give me the fruits and gifts of the Spirit, in the name of Jesus. 4. I refused to set my mind on the things of the flesh. As from today, I will live and walk by the Spirit, in Jesus name. 5. I receive the power and grace to pursue the things of God, in the name of Jesus.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:19:33 +0000
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