A god or THE GOD?
What does the cost mean to you? For me, it meant giving up certain movies, music, activities, and even unhealthy relationships.
If you proclaim Jesus as Saviour, then the workings of the Holy Spirit will regenerate. Through this regeneration, we grow toward Christlikeness…and away from people and things that encourage our sinful nature. God’s word is alive and active; therefore, our Walk must also reflect this Truth. We are, after all, created in His image.
Some foolishly believe simply knowing there is a god is enough. Merely saying “I know god” believes that a god exists; however, it is not a basis for faith. Thinking in your head apart from believing your heart is useless. Just as you may acknowledge, a fire extinguisher puts out fires, but unless you pick it up, squeeze the trigger, and activate it, that fire will consume anything in its path. So, what does “I know god” really mean in the eternal? Even Satan knows God.
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit indwells the sinner, the sinner responds and submits, and through His workings within us flow the Fruit of the Spirit. The sinful must believe in Christ Jesus, “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Also see John 5:24, John 7:38, John 12:44-46, John 6:35, Romans 4:5, 1 Peter 2:6, 1 John 5: 1-5, 10).
Once the Holy Spirit indwells the child of God, The Fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) begins to develop. Yes, people can be kind, good, gentle, but without the indwelling of the Spirit, those attributes are limited and temporary. Even if you have never read the Bible, you’ve seen the Fruit of the Spirit somewhere. It has become a popular decorative piece, I know; I own one of them!
SO, what exactly is the Fruit of the Spirit outside of home decor? The Fruit of the Spirit is a direct outpouring of His love into our families and the community. It is a result from our communion with God. Therefore, saying you know god with your mouth is fruitless until you are filled with the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells a sinful being, they begin to think and act differently. They make better choices. They seek God. They actively grow into Christlikeness by putting off sinful ways and, when failing, fully repenting. They put on Christlike attitudes and behaviors. They are visibly different from what they used to be—a new creation.
Knowing of God versus being in a relationship with Christ Jesus, which produces Fruit as you live out your faith, are two different things. The faith of every Believer is VISIBLE. There should be no believers who keep their religious beliefs to themselves—this is not the way of a True Believer. In God’s perfect design, He created community. This truth is revealed in the Trinity—all commune as One but is separate in themselves, with different functions. This same “community” is reflected in the Body of Christ. We are of One Body, with individual talents/gifts, and different functions.
In that community, the outpouring of the Fruit of the Spirit reflects Christ in us. We are to reflect Jesus Christ in all that we do. We are to profess His work in us to others, being thankful that He is drawing us nearer. We are to share His love with others in word and deed. This reflection is how Believers know the difference between those who profess to know god (Pharisees and scribes) and those who have a relationship with THE Holy God. There is a distinction. What is the cost then? What does it mean for you? “It is one thing for you to be in a church building, another thing to be in Christ Jesus” -Steve Lawson
Following Jesus requires us to unfollow the world.
Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”
The Biblical Counselor 