“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” —2 Corinthians 5:17
“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?” CHAMBERS
What I am going to share is limited to cultures where the people are literate and, the written word is available in their language. For others, the Word must be read or spoken by someone else. The effect is the same. When people who are denied access to the Word receive it, there is must rejoicing … hunger for the Word is something that God has put into place. So, with that caveat, one of the indicators that I look for in a person who professes faith in Jesus is their attitude toward the Word of God. What happens at the point of rebirth is supernatural. And like a new born baby is hungry for its mother’s milk, the new Christian is spiritually hungry for the milk of the Word. If there is no interest in spiritual matters, then I question whether or not the person is, indeed, a Christian. (1 Peter 2:2-3) “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
It is up to the mature Christians to ensure that the baby Christian has the opportunity to be feed with the proper food …. The bread of life … the Word of God. There is a Haitian proverb “An empty stomach has no ears.” That was the by-line for our feeding program in Haiti for the school children. And so it is for Christians. If you have not been reading the Word, then you cannot hear spiritual truth as you should. The Word will bring change to your life. It is the catalyst for old things passing away and new things coming to be. (2 Peter 3:16-17) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
Charley Elgin
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