Who are accepted of
God?
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts 10:35.
"If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou
doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire,
and thou shalt rule over him." Genesis 4:7.
Since by nature man
cannot "work righteousness," the carnal mind being "enmity
against God" (Rom. 8:7), what transformation is necessary?
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for
ever." 1 Peter 1:23.
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2
Corinthians 5:17.
By what agency is
the new birth produced?
"That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John
3:6.
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the
flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit,
and they are life." John 6:63.
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the
Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9.
How precious is
forgiveness to the burdened soul at conversion! Is this rich boon
conferred as a thing that is due, or as a pure act of grace or unmerited
favor?
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7.
"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I
have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be
called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." Luke
15:18,19.
What relation
exists between God and believers?
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are
the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people." 2 Corinthians 6:16.
"And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18."
Can such relation
exist and one not be conscious of it?
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world
cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye
know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." John
14:17.
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because
he hath given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:13.
What does the
kll1owledge of our acceptance with God bring?
"Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ." Romans 5:1.
Of what nature is
the peace of the believer?
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.
Will those who have
this peace be free from tribulation?
"These things I have spoken unto you, that
in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:
but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
What will be one of
the delights of the converted man?
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man."
Romans 7:22.
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he
meditate day and night." Psalms 1:2.
How may true
believers be identified?
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall
know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven." Matthew 7:20,21.
What is the fruit
of the Spirit?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.
Can one bear this
fruit of himself?
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can
ye, except ye abide in me." John 15:4.
What was the
experience of the two disciples who talked with Jesus on the way to
Emmaus?
"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within
us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the
scriptures?" Luke 24:32.
What blessed experience
may all have?
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if
any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians
4:7.