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True Conversion According to Christ – Luke 15:21

Before true conversion can take place, there must first be regeneration—the inward work of salvation that forms the foundation of genuine faith. Put simply, without regeneration, there is no authentic conversion. Salvation begins with this inner transformation and then becomes visible outwardly in the believer’s life. In today’s passage, particularly verse 21, Pastor Paul highlights what it means to be converted and what ultimately causes conversion.

True conversion is not a vague feeling but a concrete reality. Just as the Holy Spirit stirred the prodigal son to rise and return to his father (v. 20), so too does the Spirit initiate action in the sinner. Regeneration is monergistic—the Spirit works alone—while conversion is synergistic, as God’s grace moves the sinner to respond in repentance and faith. Like sheep that often wander, sinners repeatedly stray, yet are drawn back to Christ through salvation, turning from sin and redirecting their lives toward God (1 Peter 2:5).

C.H. Spurgeon captures this relationship between regeneration and conversion:

“Regeneration and conversion, the one the secret cause and the other the first overt effect, produce a great change in the character…. And as there is a change in character, so there is a change in feeling. The man had been an enemy to God before; but when this change takes place, he begins to love God…. Conversion is the beginning of a life-long conflict; it is the first blow in a warfare which will never end till we are in glory.”

Marks of genuine conversion include:

  • A deep hatred of sin and a sensitive conscience toward it, accompanied by the desire to please God through faith.
  • A transformation of mind and nature that loves Christ and seeks to live according to God’s will.
  • A childlike faith (Matthew 18:3).
  • A daily reliance on the resurrection of Jesus as the center of Christian life.

But how does a sinner come to be converted to Christ? Conversion is possible only by God’s grace. When grace is fully applied to the heart, it becomes God’s effectual call to repentance. This grace was already at work in the prodigal son’s heart long before he reached his father’s home. Even in the far country, God’s grace was preparing him to return. In the same way, God’s grace works in sinners before repentance takes root, shining its light into their hearts.

As the prodigal son repented and set out for home, his father saw him from afar. The father’s love had already chosen restoration; his heart was waiting in compassion to receive him. God’s love operates in the same way—grace and compassion make repentance possible. However heavy the sin, God’s grace abounds even more.

The father’s swift embrace and kiss symbolize this truth. God’s grace is never sluggish or hesitant; it comes quickly, covering guilt and sin with strength and love. Frederick Lehman beautifully expressed it:

“The love (grace) of God is greater far, than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave his Son to win. His erring child he reconciled and pardoned from his sin.”

This kiss signifies reconciliation—the forgiveness of sins, the restoration of a relationship, and the gift of a new beginning. As John MacArthur explains,

“Here in this father the Lord Jesus Christ presents Himself, the one who left the glory of heaven, came to earth and bore the shame and humility to embrace repentant sinners, who come to Him in faith, and give them complete forgiveness and reconciliation.”

It is vital to remember that repentance alone does not merit salvation. Repentance without grace has no power, and grace without repentance bears no fruit. Grace is the cause; repentance is its effect. The prodigal son illustrates this:

  • He knew his sin was ultimately against God the Father.
  • He understood that the fear of God outweighed all other fears.
  • He recognized that sin leads to eternal death.
  • He showed thanksgiving and humility, without which repentance cannot endure.

Thus, the story calls us to self-examination. Is our conversion genuine, grounded in God’s grace through the Spirit’s regenerating work? The truly converted continually turn their gaze toward God, just as a sunflower follows the sun. May we strive to bear fruit for His glory, relying wholly on His grace.

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Genuine Repentance: The Sure Sign of Regeneration – Luke 15:17-20

Introduction

When God regenerates a sinner, they must have real, genuine repentance. This is the sure sign of regeneration and part of their assurance of salvation. While this message goes over the points of repentance, it might cause us to question whether we are real Christians or not. However, its purpose is not to create doubt but to place our salvation firmly on Jesus, who has done everything for us. Regeneration means to be made new, to be born again, and it is a gift of God.

Consider the story of Lucinda Wilson, who went to jail for being suspected of murdering her fiancé’s ex-girlfriend. After three months in jail, she was released due to insufficient evidence. She began attending Bible study and became a Christian. After her conversion, she confessed to her church and to the public that she had indeed murdered the woman. She remains in jail to this day, serving a life sentence, paying the punishment for her crime. This is the sign of a true Christian — understanding and willing to sacrifice even their very life for the sake of repentance.

There are many nominal Christians who may be steady, consistent, and knowledgeable, yet they show no sign of regeneration. They go to church. They look like a Christian and act like a Christian. Those who have not repented are pretending. They are not born-again because regeneration results in true repentance.

Signs of True Repentance

A Changed Mind

Genuine repentance brought by regeneration (new birth) alters the mind of the sinner 180 degrees. The sinner’s direction is completely reversed. Repentance starts with the sinner’s mind first. This is a sudden and immediate change, not a gradual one. Ephesians 4:17-20 shows us the unregenerate unbeliever. Their minds are darkened and given over to every kind of impurity. Luke 15:17 says, “When he came to himself”. The prodigal son came to his senses. Before this moment, he had done whatever he wanted, living a life of unbridled sin. But suddenly, he came to himself. This is regeneration.

Regeneration is monergistic, meaning God acts alone. It is not like conversion which is synergistic, involving both God and man. Regeneration is completely done by God alone. Regeneration precedes faith and starts in the mind. The son’s understanding and view of his father is now different. “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!” Before, in verse 12, the son hated his father and wanted nothing to do with him. He probably considered his father a tyrant and left. When someone is regenerated, they gain a new view of God. They turn toward God and see Him as loving and merciful. Consider Moses. He was a murderer who rejected God and escaped to the desert for 40 years. But later in Exodus 34:6, Moses declares, “Yahweh, Yahweh, God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding with loyal love and faithfulness”. Regeneration first changes our view of God.

Fear of Death and Judgement

Regeneration causes a fear of death. Before being regenerated, the son lived life as he pleased without fear of consequences or death. This is how society lives today—doing whatever they want without fearing death. But death is terrifying because after death comes judgment. “I am dying here with hunger” represents spiritual death. Many Christian testimonies include the sudden realization of God’s judgment and becoming fearful of death. John 3:18 reminds us that we all face judgment. John Bunyan cried out, “My soul is dying, my soul is damning.” When God changes someone’s mind, they develop a fear of death and judgment.

Why is this process important? Without it, we cannot be genuine Christians. Consider Simon, the famous magician in the book of Acts. Simon believed and was baptized because he saw the miracles, but his salvation was based on the signs and not on repentance. So was Simon born again? Acts 8:19 shows that Simon was still pursuing the same power and magic arts. His mind was not changed, so his actions did not change. A changed mind leads to changed action.

A Desire for Accountability

True repentance wants to be held accountable. Returning to Lucinda Wilson’s story, she could have continued her life as a Christian. She had repented to God, so shouldn’t that be sufficient? The case was cold. Yet, by true repentance, she wanted accountability; therefore, she confessed to her church and to the police. We see in the modern church a repentance that doesn’t lead to change. People repent, but nothing changes. True repentance leads to accountability. Another example is Zacchaeus who desired to repay anyone he had wronged and give half his possessions to the poor. Zacchaeus’s desire to right his wrongs was not his earning salvation but the result of his repentance, showing his desire for restitution (Luke 19:8). Jesus accepted Zacchaeus’s repentance (Luke 19:9). In Luke 15:18, the prodigal son decides to return to his father. No matter how he might be received or what he might have to endure, he desired to confess to his father.

“I have sinned against heaven”. Sin is serious because it goes against God. “Every sin is an act of cosmic treason, a futile attempt to dethrone God in His sovereign authority.” (R. C. Sproul) Even earthly nations treat treason with capital punishment. Sin is treason against God. Because of its seriousness, we must confess every day. God remembers every sin. No sin is too small. Matthew 12:36 reminds us that we will give account for every careless word. God is sovereign, omniscient, and omnipresent. Even before there is a word on our tongue, He knows it all (Psalm 139:4). True repentance takes sin seriously and desires accountability. The accountability also portrays the power of God’s grace, when even the most wicked sins are confessed because they have been forgiven.

Humility

True Christians try to be humble in all circumstances. If we mess up, do we ask for forgiveness? This is a sign of humility. How do we know the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was qualified and accepted by God the Father? Whatever happened with Jesus and to Jesus, he dealt with it in humility. Everything He did was done in humility, from His birth, to His ministry, to His death and resurrection.

The prodigal son confesses, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” The son no longer claims any right to any title. He can only ask, actually demand, to be made a servant. Humility is a sign of true repentance.

The Apostle Paul was also humble. In Romans 7:24, he wanted to be righteous but admitted in reality that he was a wretched man. Paul’s humility began at his conversion (1 Timothy 1:15). Humility is not learned but given with our born-again life. Christians are not called to be like Christ by our effort, but we are given all that we are at our new birth. Richard Baxter wrote, “The very design of the gospel is to abase us; and the work of grace is begun and carried on in humiliation. Humility is not a mere ornament of a Christian, but an essential part of the new creature. It is a contradiction in terms, to be a Christian, and not humble…” Christians are not trying to be humble. We start off humble if we truly are born again and have true repentance.

Conclusion

We are all prodigal sons. Since Adam and Eve sinned, the bridge with God has been burned. All of us are sinners committing treason against God. True repentance is surrendering on Jesus’ terms and submitting to Him. Regeneration is a gift of God. Without true repentance caused by regeneration, we cannot be called Christians.

To those who are not born again, we continually pray for them and share the gospel. As we understand the precious gift of regeneration, we show the world that by God’s mercy, they too will be regenerated.

The story of the prodigal son is not just a parable. It’s our story. It’s the story of every sinner who has been regenerated by God’s grace and brought to genuine repentance. May we all examine our hearts to ensure we have experienced this supernatural work of God that transforms our minds, gives us a proper fear of judgment, and leads us to humble accountability before our Heavenly Father.

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The Power of Regeneration – Luke 15:11-17

Without regeneration, humanity inevitably falls into insanity and reckless living. No one can escape the power of sin and death by their own efforts. Left to ourselves, only divine justice would remain, for without regeneration every person breaks God’s law.

The parable of the prodigal son illustrates this truth vividly. The younger son violated both social and moral norms by demanding his inheritance before his father’s death—an act that symbolized dishonor and rebellion. Not only did he reject his father’s authority, but he also pursued the fleeting pleasures of the world. After receiving his portion, he journeyed to a distant country where he squandered his wealth in reckless indulgence (Luke 15:13). His situation worsened when a severe famine struck the land, leaving him destitute (v. 14). In the biblical context, famine was often perceived as a sign of divine warning or judgment.

In desperate times, sinners often misdiagnose the root cause of their suffering. The prodigal, seeing his situation only as financial, sought employment under a local citizen (v. 15). Yet his true problem was spiritual, not material. Like unbelievers in every generation, he turned to human solutions while ignoring the only answer—God. Scripture makes it clear: salvation is never achieved through human effort or righteousness, but only through God’s mercy and the washing of rebirth by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Though he worked to earn a wage, his degradation was such that he longed to eat the food given to swine—animals considered utterly unclean by Jewish law.

His physical hunger mirrored a deeper spiritual hunger. Though once surrounded by companions when he had wealth, he now found himself alone, abandoned, and on the brink of death. This loneliness, shame, and desperation symbolized his spiritual state: estrangement from God and impending eternal death.

The true cause of his downfall was sin. Sin leads to folly, for wisdom is found only in the Lord. Like the prodigal, sinners are driven into humiliation, misery, and destruction. The ultimate outcome of sin is eternal punishment: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Regeneration, by contrast, is a spiritual resurrection. It is the Holy Spirit who awakens the soul, bringing awareness of spiritual death and the need for new life. In verse 17, we see the Spirit at work when the prodigal “came to his senses.” Prior to this, he had exhausted every means of escape based on his own reasoning, yet failed miserably. The turning point comes only through God’s grace, for regeneration precedes and produces true conversion.

Those who are born again are born of God. As Scripture testifies, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them” (1 John 3:9). William Gurnall captures this distinction memorably: “A sheep may fall into a ditch, but it is the swine that wallows in it.” Regeneration is solely the work of the Spirit, as Jesus taught in John 3:8: “The wind blows where it wishes… so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” The Spirit alone causes the sinner to recognize his lost condition and awakens him to new life.

Theologians have called this view of regeneration monergism—the belief that only God can impart spiritual life. As R.C. Sproul explains, “Regeneration must happen before we can put our trust in Christ. Before we can reach out for the life preserver, we must first be given life.” Without God’s sovereign initiative, faith itself would be impossible.

The doctrine of regeneration is therefore central to salvation. Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Spiritual blindness renders a person incapable of perceiving God’s reign or submitting to His rule. Only regeneration opens the eyes, granting both the vision of the kingdom and the capacity to live as God’s people.

The prodigal’s failure to “self-regenerate” underscores a universal truth: no sinner can raise himself from spiritual death. Just as a corpse cannot revive itself, so too humanity is helpless apart from the life-giving power of God. After the Fall, Adam and Eve transmitted a sinful nature to all their descendants, leaving humanity in a state of enmity against God. Yet Christ, the “last Adam,” came as a life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). A.W. Pink describes regeneration as “the bringing of a soul out of spiritual death into spiritual life—a new creation, bringing something out of nothing.”

Conversion naturally follows regeneration. Whether immediate or gradual, the regenerated soul is drawn irresistibly to faith in Christ. True conversion is evident in a life that clings to the word of life (Philippians 2:16), hears Christ’s voice (John 5:25), takes refuge in God (Psalm 34:8), and develops a prayerful dependence on His grace. Such transformation is the unmistakable mark of those who have been born again by the Spirit of God.

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Church Discipline – Matthew 18:15-19

The main purpose of this message is to remove negativity surrounding church discipline, which is often misunderstood or approached unbiblically. Church discipline is not an apostolic invention or a human idea; it originated from Jesus Christ Himself and is established in heaven. It is not a process of punishment, but one of accountability, love, and hope. Even excommunication, when truly understood, is not meant to hurt or condemn, but is full of hope, entrusting the situation to God. For example, Paul disciplined John Mark, who later wrote the Gospel of Mark. The foundation of church discipline is love – not hatred, rejection, or resentment. It is the church’s obedience in love and truth, as Jesus commands, and is both important and necessary for the life of the church. Yes, it might end in excommunication, but even that is for the purpose of hope and restoration.

Christians are redeemed but not perfect
First, we must know who we are. Without the Gospel, we cannot be who we are in the Lord. The Gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, bringing us from eternal death and condemnation to eternal blessing. As Spurgeon said, “The heart of the gospel is the redemption. The essence of redemption is the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ”. Through the Gospel, people are redeemed and freed from the power of sin. As Christians, we have a new status, new nature, new family, and a new job description, representing Jesus. We are in the world but not of the world, having nothing to do with sin. Our love for Jesus Christ is first and uppermost.

This doesn’t mean Christians are perfect. In fact, we sin every day. Which is why we continue repenting daily. We must not get away from a heart of repentance. It is also true that Christians are holy; they are separated and sanctified. Holiness means being set apart for a sacred purpose. The believer’s holiness is expressed by loving God and neighbor. As God is holy, so we must be holy. It is for the purpose of holiness, the church must practice self-discipline. When a brother sins, as Matthew 18:15 states, we must not be quiet or silent because the church is a gathering of sanctified, holy people. The church is not perfect and we sin but we hold each other accountable through discipline and repentance.

Church Membership and Authority
Christians are members of the body of Christ, and members of the local church. (1 Corinthians 12:27) We are members of each other and accountable to each other. Unlike a Costco membership with no accountability, church membership is the church’s official public acknowledgment of a Christian who possesses saving faith in Christ and commits to the responsibilities of the church. Local churches are responsible for the teaching, guiding and care of its members. Members of a local church are accountable to each other. Being a church member is committing to the visible body of Christ. “You have been joined together with Christ… You bear His name. Are you ashamed to belong? Are you ashamed to bear that identification with other believers of like precious faith?… Shouldn’t you be willing outwardly to identify with the visible, gathered members of that group to which you eternally belong?” – John Macarthur

As members of the church when someone sins we forgive. Jesus said 70 times 7 we forgive which means continually. However we don’t only forgive but we also discipline. The local church has the authority of discipline. Matthew 18:17 shows the duty of telling it “to the church,” to the members, when someone refuses to listen. The local church, gathered with its members, has authority. Matthew 18:18 states, “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven”. This means the church has authority to legislate according to God’s Word, declaring what is right and defining proper conduct.

Discipleship and Accountability
Every church member is a disciple. No disciples without discipline. Discipleship and discipline are inseparable. A good disciple becomes well-disciplined through correction and instruction. Matthew 19:14 is an example of Jesus correcting the disciples about children and the kingdom of heaven. This disciplining was Jesus practicing discipleship. We also practice discipleship through correction and teaching because we are mutually accountable. When a brother sins, we must not be silent. It is the church’s collective work to deal with it in truth and love, seeking restoration.

Discipleship and discipline is a practice of the whole church. Not just church leaders but all the members are accountable to each other. We need to watch each other’s backs. Church discipline is not solely about excommunication but its correcting and teaching.

Accountability is essential because no disciple is perfect, and every Christian tends to be deceived by themselves. We must not be deceived. 1 Corinthians 3:18 warns us that we cannot know everything, and we all have our weaknesses, which is why we need accountability. Self-deception leads to continued sin. We have personally seen the result of those who have deceived and refused correction. Apostle Paul urged, “Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Restoration comes from discipline.

The result of discipline is amazing for a true Christian. 2 Timothy 4:11 shows that Mark was disciplined by Paul in Acts, but now he is helpful in his ministry. In contrast, 2 Timothy 4:10 shows that Demas had abandoned Paul and became an apostate.

Purpose of Church Discipline: Love, Restoration, Protection 
Every Christian must know what church discipline is. Church discipline is not to win the argument, or to destroy the other or to abandon the other. It is not putting someone else to shame. It is not a scarlet letter or stoning. Church discipline is being the Lord’s messenger to deliver the truth of Jesus Christ. Church discipline is not the final verdict. It’s not a power play. It’s also not a small thing, though. It is serious. Church discipline is the process of correcting sinful behavior among members for the purpose of protecting the church, restoring the sinner to a right walk with God, and renewing fellowship among church members.

Church discipline has gotten a bad reputation for being harsh and judgmental. The process starts with a private conversation with the sinning brother, which should be approached with love and humility. The next step involves one or two witnesses. Eventually, it is brought before the whole church and could result in the removal from membership (excommunication). Even excommunication is with love and the purpose of restoration. 1 Corinthians 5:2 instructs, “And you have become puffed up and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst”. Discipline is necessary to guide them back to a right relationship with God. It may lead to excommunication, but it is still pursued in love for restoration. Excommunication is a formal action by the local church as a whole, instructing members to limit contact with the unrepentant. Treat them as tax collectors, but not out of arrogance or anger.

The main purposes of discipline are:

  • Restoration of the individual: It aims to guide someone back to a right relationship with God and the church through repentance, not punishment. “You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:5)
  • Protection of the church: Sin is cancerous and goes viral, so discipline protects the community. We don’t want people in our church to marry non-Christians, no matter how famous or wealthy or nice they are. Sin, ike complaints, can spread through the whole community. “Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6).
  • Upholding biblical standards: Church discipline upholds the standard of Scripture. It reinforces the church’s commitment to holiness and obedience to scripture.
  • Promoting accountability: Church discipline promotes accountability. We are to be taught and corrected by each other. It fosters a culture of mutual accountability, encouraging members to honor Christ. As Proverbs says, “Iron sharpens iron”.
  • Maintaining a good reputation for Jesus Christ: Right now church is a laughing stock. They don’t take church or the gospel seriously. This is because many churches lack discipline, leading to a diminished reputation. If we practice church discipline faithfully, then we might lose many numbers, but the remaining would be strong and attractive in the right way. The Lord said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again?” (Matthew 5:13).

Love Rules 
In church discipline, love rules. Church discipline is all about love. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” (Hebrews 12:6). Many misunderstand biblical love, thinking it means everything is always gentle and kind, without boundaries. 1 Corinthians 13:6 states that love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. Modern love is not true love. Love is not tolerance or accepting of everything. It’s not only supportive, especially of sinful behavior. Love is righteousness and truth. True love is holy, truthful, and authoritative; it makes demands and produces obedience.

An example of unbiblical love is permissive or gentle parenting, which only gives and supports. No setting boundaries, no imperatives, no discipline. In the end, it ruins their kids. Society is collapsing because of permissive parenting. Similarly, in the church, if we continually forgive without guidance or accountability when sin persists, it is not true love. A church that understands biblical love will better understand church discipline.

We continue to pray for those who refuse to repent. We approach them with truth and love. We must continually improve our accountability amongst ourselves. Accountability does not stop on Sunday. We are interconnected as one body in Christ, so we need accountability continually. We need to pray for each other. When we think no one is watching, we get tempted to sin. Accountability is the best treatment as we pray for and love one another.

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The Precious Service: Finding the Lost – Luke 15:8-10

Every lost soul is invaluable in the sight of God and more precious than all the world’s wealth combined. Jesus asks, “For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself?” (Luke 9:25). A lost soul can only be saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

In today’s passage, the lost soul is compared to a silver coin, which can be compared to a denarius, the currency of the Roman world. In the parable, a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Money is valuable because people work hard to earn it, but this coin may have been far more than just currency. It could have been part of her dowry—the precious goods given by a husband to his wife at marriage. In Jesus’ day, a woman would often display her dowry on her forehead for all to see, symbolizing her husband’s love and commitment. Losing one coin would not only mean losing monetary value but also part of a deeply personal gift. No wonder she searches with determination until she finds it. In the same way, God considers each lost sinner precious beyond measure and will not cease seeking them.

This high value comes from the fact that humanity alone was created in the image of God. Nothing else in creation bears this likeness. The “image of God” (Latin: imago Dei) refers to the immaterial aspects of humanity that set us apart from animals, equip us for the dominion God intended, and enable us to have fellowship with Him. We reflect God mentally—created as rational, volitional beings; morally—originally made in righteousness and holiness; and socially—designed for relationships, mirroring God’s triune nature and love.

Though sin corrupted this image, God’s plan has always been to restore it. As David Dockery notes, redemption creates a “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This restoration is only possible through God’s grace in Jesus Christ, who reconciles us to God by removing the sin that separates us. Out of His great love (John 3:16), God gave His Son—spared nothing—to provide salvation (Romans 8:32).

If God loves the lost so deeply, how should we respond? Do we long for sinners to be condemned, or do we share Paul’s heart, who wished he could be cut off from Christ for the sake of his lost kinsmen (Romans 9:3)? Without compassion, we cannot love the lost as Jesus did. Loving Christ means living for Him fully, which includes being devoted to seeking the lost. We must pray earnestly for the ability to love them, for without such love our witness is hollow. As Peter instructs, we are to give an account of the hope within us “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Evangelism requires action. In the parable, the woman lights a lamp and sweeps the house, searching until she finds her coin. Her diligence reflects God’s relentless love—a love that pursues even though sinners do not deserve grace. Yet God does not give up on His elect; He seeks until they are found.

For the believer, evangelism flows naturally from a sanctified life. A mature Christian depends completely on God, ready to obey His commands, especially in reaching the lost. Growth in sanctification increases our desire to see others saved, while spiritual stagnation dulls that desire.

Finding the lost brings joy that is both personal and communal. This joy is unlike any earthly pleasure because it is eternal in scope and shared among three parties: the believer who shares the gospel, the one who receives it, and God Himself. Such joy is compelling—should we not desire the salvation of our family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers? Shared passion for the gospel unites believers and reflects the joy of heaven.

Jesus emphasizes that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Just as the woman called her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her, God celebrates before His angels when a sinner comes to Him. Every single person matters—heaven rejoices over one.

This truth carries important implications. It is unthinkable for a Christian to live an entire life without leading at least one soul to Christ. Yet leading one does not mean the work is over—we press on, seeking the next. The urgency is real; why delay when we know the joy salvation brings to God?

A lost soul is worth far more than silver or gold. Sharing the gospel—whether the hearer believes or not—enriches the church, inspires others to evangelize, and brings joy to God Himself. Therefore, let us be steadfast in prayer, diligent in action, and faithful in love, seeking the lost one soul at a time, until the joy of heaven becomes the joy of earth.

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Joy of Finding the Lost – Luke 15:3-7

In Luke 15:3-7, we learn about the joy of finding the lost. Evangelism, finding the lost, is a joyful and precious task every Christian must understand and practice.

Consider two teachers: Aristotle and Edward Kimball. Aristotle, philosopher to Alexander the Great, spread Greek culture through conquering and killing. The result was death and hopelessness; no joy. In contrast, Edward Kimball, a Sunday school teacher, shared the gospel with D. L. Moody, a fifth-grade dropout. Moody became a Christian, and through him, many were born again not with bloodshed but with love, such as Billy Graham. One way brings death, the other brings joy by sharing the gospel.

Finding the lost, though difficult, brings satisfaction and elation, like giving birth. The Lord emphasizes “joy” in this parable. Rejoicing in finding the lost is the central issue. God’s joy in finding the lost becomes our joy too. There are three outcomes of finding the lost: personal, communal, and heavenly joy.

Personal and Individual Joy
Evangelism produces a unique personal joy, not experienced by the unconverted. This joy, in the soul, is produced by the Holy Spirit, continually showing us Jesus’ glory. This biblical joy is unshakable, regardless of circumstances.

In Luke 15:5, the shepherd lays the found sheep on his shoulders, rejoicing, expressing indescribable elation. It’s like finding a lost wedding ring after 20 years, or a mom finding her daughter after 46 years. This is Jesus’ joy because the lost sheep is like His child.

What brings this joy?

  1. Never giving up: Jesus never stops searching until He finds the lost (Luke 15:4). We must not give up. Jesus did not give up on Peter after his denial, but looked at him to bring repentance. We must continue to reach out, pray, and show kindness. Elect people will be found; be patient.
  2. Hard labor: The foolish, stubborn lost sheep never returned by itself. It took long, hard work, requiring patience, prayer, devotion, and wisdom. This hard labor is our obedience to “go make disciples”.
  3. Love motivates: The shepherd loves the lost sheep. Luke 15:5 shows genuine love as the motivation, not anger or worry. God is full of compassion. Love enables the shepherd to carry the heavy sheep. We must love the lost, knowing their end is hell, where suffering never stops (Mark 9:44-48). This compels us to seek them through hard work, love, and perseverance.

Communal Joy

Your personal joy becomes contagious, spreading to others, becoming communal. Communal joy is a collective celebration. In Luke 15:6, the shepherd “called together his friends and his neighbors, saying… ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep.'” He shared his joy because the sheep, once lost, came back from an impossible situation. Our physical death is nothing compared to eternal death. Who joy for everyone in the church when the lost sheep is found. It is both our joy and duty as a church to find the lost. Charles Spurgeon said, “A church is a soul-saving company, or it is nothing”.

The early church was full of communal joy because members knew Jesus was risen (1 Peter 1:8). They were convinced only Jesus and His gospel saves. The gospel is Christ’s death for our sins, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). His resurrection means His sacrifice was accepted, bringing forgiveness and righteousness by faith (Romans 4:25).

This conviction compels the believer to speak. They cannot be silent. John Macarthur shared the gospel with a paralyzed teen, Polly, who later said, “I never would have met Christ if it had happened.” John Macarthur was a young man trying to encourage a young girl facing tragedy. The gospel brings personal and communal joy, making us fearless of rejection.

Heavenly Joy
This joy turns into heavenly joy; our joy makes God happy. Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Jesus declares this truth. Joy has no border or limitation. Joy is possible under all circumstances, as Paul showed in jail (Philippians 4:4). God in heaven rejoices over us with joyful singing (Zechariah 3:17). How amazing.

The phrase “more joy” shows God’s preference for the repentant sinner. The prodigal son’s father did not hesitate but ran with joy to embrace him (Luke 15:20). God is joyful because the lost one repents. God loves us, not because we repent, but we repent because God loves us. Repentance is a loving response to God’s call, a change of mind and action: turning from sin to Jesus’ Lordship. In contrast, beware of self-righteousness, “the greatest enemy to human soul,” as it believes salvation is possible without Jesus. Self-righteousness is the enemy of repentance.

Conclusion
Christians can be joyful by finding and sharing the gospel diligently and faithfully. This joy becomes contagious, focusing the church on evangelism, and ultimately bringing joy to God. This defines our church’s future. Share the gospel; it rescues people from hell. Even if rejected, you have joy because you obeyed. Obedience and joy happen together, as Jesus obeyed, and the Father rejoiced. May joy remain continually in you and in our church.

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The Passion of Jesus for the Lost – Luke 15:1-4

Introduction

When we look at Luke 15:1-4, one thing we want to focus on Jesus’s passion to reach out for the lost sinners. Jesus shows the true heart of the father who does not take pleasure in the lost perishing without repentance. Tax collectors and sinners – the most hated people – are now sitting with Jesus, having fellowship. This is the result of Jesus’s passion for the lost.

Jesus is passionate. When challenged by the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus doesn’t react with silence or aggression. Instead, He tells them a parable. Even in this hostile situation, Jesus uses a story to make hard truth clear and understandable. He not only loves the tax collector but the Pharisee and scribe as well and tries to help them understand God’s heart.

Jesus doesn’t give up on His critics. Even with Judas, He showed compassion despite knowing what he would do. What made Jesus so passionate? Prayer and compassion cannot be separated. Hebrews 5:7 shows Jesus offering “prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears.” His compassion comes from His relationship with the Father.

Matthew 9:36: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” The result? He fed 5,000. To keep our compassion for the lost: look at the cross often and consider their eternal destiny. Without compassion, evangelism becomes legalistic work. With compassion, it’s voluntary and natural.

Why we must be passionate? It’s natural for genuine Christians. Jesus uses a rhetorical question in the parable – of course a shepherd would seek his lost sheep. Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses.” Everyone truly saved has the Holy Spirit and should naturally share their salvation with others.

Jesus goes after the lost. Luke 15:4 says “go after” – present tense, meaning the Holy Spirit still does this through us. Luke 19:10: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Jesus moved His whole being to pursue the lost, and so should we. He is the good Shepherd who knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He calls out to them in order to find them.

His passion is relentless. The text says “until he finds it” – never giving up. What’s behind this relentless passion? Love – 1 Corinthians 13 says love is patient and love never fails. God sent Him to save the lost. This was His mission. Jesus is relentless because of joy – Hebrews 12:2 shows Jesus enduring the cross “for the joy set before him.”

We need action plans: pray and identify mission fields, build genuine relationships, be ready to share the gospel. Set personal goals such as bringing at least one person to Christ every two months. Our goal is not to bring them to church but to Christ.

The elect, those chosen by God, are still waiting for someone’s passionate effort to reach out. The lost sheep are waiting for the gospel to come from us.

Conclusion

Passion for sharing the gospel may cost time and comfort, but it brings God’s approval and eternal reward. We haven’t earned His passion – it’s given from Jesus Christ.

How do we know we’re saved? We love Him deeply in all circumstances. That’s why we’re to be passionate. The result is up to God, but we must continually share and live out our passion that God has given us.

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Loving the Lost – Luke 15:1-2

Jesus’ deep love for the lost is clearly displayed in Luke 15:1–2. These verses reveal His tender and compassionate heart, particularly toward those who were marginalized by society. He intentionally spent time with sinners and outcasts, sharing meals and offering them dignity and love. Christians today are called to follow His example by developing a genuine concern for the lost. Unfortunately, the modern church often becomes insular—more focused on personal salvation and individual comfort than on reaching others. Priorities such as family, career, and personal convenience often take precedence, which contrasts sharply with the selfless, inclusive love that characterized Jesus’ ministry. As God incarnate, Jesus demonstrated a love that transcended all social barriers, embracing sinners without partiality.

In Luke 15:1–2, we read that “all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Him.” The inclusion of tax collectors is intentional; they were despised in Jewish society for collaborating with the Roman oppressors and for their notorious corruption. These individuals not only betrayed their fellow Jews but often profited by overcharging taxes and lining their own pockets. Seen as traitors and exploiters, they were considered among the worst kinds of sinners. Yet, it was precisely these individuals who were drawn to Jesus, and it was to them that He offered His presence and teaching.

Jewish cultural texts illustrate the disdain for tax collectors. The Mishna states, “If a tax gatherer entered a house, [all that is within it] becomes unclean… If thieves entered a house, only that part is unclean that was trodden by the feet of the thieves.” This reflects how tax collectors were regarded as even worse than common criminals. Despite this stigma, Jesus did not hesitate to associate with them. His love knew no bounds. He embodied a love rooted in mercy and compassion—one that acknowledged humanity’s brokenness and offered hope. Christians, who have experienced God’s impartial grace, are likewise called to love all sinners without discrimination, remembering their own prior state of spiritual blindness.

Many believers today are reluctant to engage with the lost due to fear, prejudice, or discomfort. The fear of rejection, a tendency to judge, or the reluctance to step outside of one’s comfort zone are common obstacles. However, Scripture calls for a selfless commitment to Christ’s mission. As 1 John 4:18 reminds us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” Overcoming these hesitations involves recalling Jesus’ Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. Every Christian was once lost and came to faith because someone else chose to share the gospel. If our hearts lack love for the lost, we must turn to prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts and lead us in love. As the Spirit indwells every believer, one of the fruits of that Spirit is indeed love.

Jesus’ love for sinners was not passive. He spent time with them so that they would hear the gospel, repent, and believe for the forgiveness of sins. His meals with sinners were not casual social events, nor were they reduced to generic messages of kindness. He boldly preached the truth, calling people to turn from sin and follow Him. The gospel is meant to confront and convict, and while this may offend, it is also the pathway to salvation for those who are called. True love does not withhold truth; rather, it delivers truth with compassion and urgency.

Furthermore, Jesus’ willingness to eat with sinners demonstrated personal involvement in their lives. The fact that these sinners desired to be near Him and share a meal suggests a level of trust and admiration. In Jewish culture, table fellowship implied mutual respect and connection. For a rabbi to dine with the despised was unheard of, making Jesus’ actions profoundly countercultural. His humility gave sinners hope—hope that despite the weight of their past, they could be forgiven and restored. He not only healed bodies but offered salvation to souls, no matter how deep their sin.

R.C. Sproul once reflected, “Isn’t it interesting how Jesus drew sinners to Himself? Yet sinners tend to flee from us. I wonder what they saw in Him that they don’t see in us… Sometimes we think that God has appointed us not to be vessels of grace but to be the policemen of the world.” Jesus was approachable, and people flocked to Him. As followers of Christ, we must ask: how can we live in such a way that sinners are drawn to us to hear the message of hope? Integrity is essential. Chuck Swindoll once said, “Integrity is what you are when no one is looking. It means being deeply honest.” If we live with honesty before God, that same honesty will be evident before others. Christians must not exhibit moral superiority, but humbly recognize that they are saved only by grace. With a clear conscience, consistent prayer, and heartfelt love, believers can effectively point others to the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts, opens hearts, and brings the sinner to faith.

To truly love the lost requires action. It means intentionally spending time with non-believers, forming meaningful relationships, and identifying real needs. Through authentic friendship and consistent prayer, opportunities arise to share the gospel—not through forced encounters, but through loving witness. Prayer was central to Jesus’ ministry, and it must be central to ours. Soul-winning begins on our knees, and with God, no one is impossible to be saved.

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The Anatomy of Faith – John 20:24-31

In John 20:24-31, we find the famous story of Thomas after Jesus’s resurrection. Initially, he did not believe the other disciples when they claimed to have seen Jesus risen from the dead. Unless he saw Jesus himself and felt his hands, he would not believe. He needed evidence. Later, Jesus appeared to the disciples again and invited Thomas to touch his hands. Thomas believes and confesses to Jesus, “My Lord and My God”. This message is titled “The Anatomy of Biblical Faith”. Anatomy means examining something carefully to understand its nature and meaning.

We need to know who Thomas is. Thomas, also called Didymus, means ‘twin’. He represents someone who doubts, hence ‘doubting Thomas’ throughout history. His personality is impulsive and emotional, as seen in John 11:16, when he said, “Let us go so that we may die with Him”. But Thomas is also curious, as in John 14:5, when he asked, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?”. He is also rational, stating, “Unless I see… I will not believe”. Thomas is the first example of evangelism because the other disciples told him they had seen the Lord. Thomas represents all believers in the beginning, as many of us have little faith and doubt. Faith is the initiating issue in our Christian life; without it, we cannot be Christians.

How does faith begin?

The timing of genuine faith is decided by God. God is the kickstarter. Faith is a gift of God. He has to present, give, initiate, start, open it up; then we will believe. When you start believing, it is true and persevering. Our faith may waver, but it eventually gets up again. After eight days, Thomas was with them. This is the day Thomas was saved; until God initiated, Thomas was not a Christian. God calls the sinner. Believers remember who shared the gospel with them; that is God calling them. So, we must continually share the gospel.

What is real faith?

Truth biblical faith is defined with two foundational elements.

The first is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every Christian’s faith is grounded in Christ’s faith, which is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection defeated the final enemy of death. This truth must permeate every aspect of our faith. Jesus was bold to show the resurrection to Thomas. He commanded Thomas: “Bring your finger here and see My hands; and bring your hand here and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing”. Jesus wants to spread His resurrection, for everyone to live by resurrection faith. Jesus picked His resurrection as the specific, best miracle for our faith. Romans 10:9 states, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”. Everything about Jesus, the gospel, and salvation is true because the resurrection is true. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching and faith is in vain”. Satan relentlessly tries to distract our hearts from Jesus’s resurrection. Some deny or downplay the resurrection, hindering faith, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:35 and 2 Timothy 2:17-18. This resurrection defines our faith.

Faith is action and obedience. Faith becomes alive when the resurrection takes a central place in our lives. Think about Hebrews 11:36-37, how people endured hardships and became martyrs. Polycarp served Christ for 86 years and wouldn’t blaspheme his King and Savior, because Jesus is the living God. Daniel prayed despite the king’s edict because God is the living God. Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped in jail because Jesus is the living God, the risen Lord. When Jesus’s resurrection is the centerpiece, our faith continually revolves around it.

Second, an essential element in real faith is confessional. Thomas responded to Jesus’s resurrection with a confession: “My Lord and my God”.

  • Lord: This means Jesus is sovereign; He has full and complete control and authority. Jesus alone possesses controlling authority. Jesus’s Lordship is a fact. Genuine faith expresses Jesus’s Lordship in all circumstances. To follow Jesus, you must see Him as Lord. Matthew 19:21-22 shows Jesus’s demand for the young rich ruler to surrender everything. Without Lordship, faith is dead. James 2:26 says, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead”. Works are our obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • God: This means Jesus is deity; He is the only true God, divine in nature. John 1:1-3 states, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. Philippians 2:6-7 shows He existed in the form of God. Colossians 1:16-17 says all things were created through Him and for Him, and He holds everything together. Nothing happens without His permission. We worship Jesus because He is God. True faith looks like 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “turning to God from idols to serve a living and true God”. Thomas’s confession, “My Lord and my God,” shows Jesus is ‘mine,’ indwelling and operating within. This means trusting the Lord in all circumstances, knowing He is Yahweh. Psalm 23:1-4 exemplifies this: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me”. John 10:11 says Jesus is the good Shepherd who gave His life for you; that’s why He became “my God and my Lord”.

Not all faith is equal.

Not all faith is equal. Jesus evaluated Thomas’s confession and implied a better, blessed faith. He said, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?”. Jesus didn’t disqualify Thomas’s faith, but there is a better faith: “Blessed are those who did not see and yet believed”. Why is a faith without seeing stronger and blessed? Because seeing does not always mean believing; many people saw Jesus’s countless miracles, even Judas, yet still rejected or denied Him. Believing by seeing is not consistent. Faith is stronger when it’s without seeing. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”. It’s a deep trust in God’s character and His word, even when the outcome is not immediately apparent. Faith has its own sight. The centurion in Matthew 8:10 had such “great faith”. We believe in the deity of Jesus, which is superior to everything else and will be revealed one day. 1 Peter 1:8-9 says, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls”. How can we have a faith that believes in the most difficult circumstances? Because of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3 states, “no one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit”. The Holy Spirit continually holds onto us as we believe and trust His resurrection and bow to Him as Lord and God.

True Christian faith is not blind.

Lastly, true Christian faith is not blind. Blind faith believes something without requiring or seeking evidence or reason; it is an unquestioning acceptance, even if unreasonable or illogical. Christians do not believe for the sake of believing. We believe because the content is true, not because emotions lead us. There is enough evidence. John 20:30-31 says, “Many other signs Jesus also did in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name”. The evidence shows itself today in the transformed lives of believers. We know how good Jesus is, His word, and His church. The power of God’s word transforms lives; for example, Robert Germaine Thomas, a missionary to Korea, whose Bible became a wallaper and simply by people reading that wallpaper, led to a house becoming the first church in Pyongyang. For Christians, blind faith is impossible because the word of God contains mountains of evidence. Don’t let your Bible get dusty; that’s a huge sin. The word of God is full of evidence to free us from blind faith, leading us to know who Jesus is and proving He surely rose from the dead, becoming God and Lord.

Conclusion

This is what faith is all about. Who’s going to defeat God and Lord? Who’s going to defeat someone who defeated death? He’s mine and He’s yours. Let’s walk by faith, not by sight.

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Alive in Christ – Romans 8:9-11

In today’s society, identity has become increasingly defined by feelings and appearances rather than by objective truth. This confusion is not limited to gender or race but has also affected how people understand Christianity. Many assume that if someone looks, talks, and behaves like a Christian, then they must be one. This superficial approach resembles the so-called “duck test”—if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. However, Christianity is not a matter of behavior or outward appearance. It is about life—eternal life that comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ. The true mark of a Christian is not church attendance or moral conduct but whether they have the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit. As John 3:16 emphasizes, eternal life is given to those who believe, not those who merely act the part.

Romans 8 powerfully distinguishes between those who are truly alive in Christ and those who are still spiritually dead. The apostle Paul outlines four contrasts in this passage: being in the flesh versus being in the Spirit, having the Spirit versus not having Him, being dead versus being alive, and belonging to Christ versus not belonging to Him. These contrasts reveal a binary reality: one is either saved or unsaved. There is no in-between. Christianity is not a sliding scale of righteousness or performance; it is a condition of being—either indwelt by the Spirit of God and alive or outside of Him and dead. The presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the defining evidence of true salvation.

To be “in the Spirit” is far more than a metaphorical statement. It represents an intimate, spiritual union with God. Jesus described this kind of unity in His relationship with the Father, saying, “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” This mutual indwelling reflects the deep, mysterious relationship within the Trinity, and Jesus prayed that believers would share in that same union. Being a Christian means more than following teachings; it means being united with the Triune God. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been brought into this divine relationship. We are not merely followers or servants—we are God’s children, adopted and made new through His Spirit.

This union is made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul makes it clear: if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him. This truth dispels common misconceptions that equate emotional religious experiences or speaking in tongues with the presence of the Spirit. Instead, the Spirit’s indwelling marks a change in ownership and identity. We no longer belong to ourselves or to sin but to God. Our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are liberated from the law of sin and death. Belonging to God means living under His love, protection, and lordship.

Although our physical bodies are still subject to decay and death due to sin, our spirits have been made alive through the righteousness of Christ. Romans 8:11 assures us that just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He will also give life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit. This resurrection is both spiritual and physical. The new life we have in Christ begins in the spirit, unseen but real. While we may not fully grasp or feel this transformation now, Scripture promises that we will one day see its fullness. Our current struggles and limited understanding do not negate the life we have; rather, they remind us that the best is yet to come.

This new life is accessed and sustained by faith, specifically, faith in Jesus Christ. Many people have faith in various things, but it is not faith itself that saves; it is the object of that faith that matters. Only faith in Christ, the Son of God, has the power to justify and give life. It is not the intensity or size of our faith that brings salvation, but the fact that it is rooted in the right person. Through faith, we are justified, reconciled to God, and indwelt by the Spirit. This grace transforms us from spiritual death to abundant life in Christ, a life that is rich not because of external blessings but because of our union with God.

The Christian life is deeply fulfilling because it is lived in relationship with the Triune God. This life does not depend on wealth, comfort, or worldly success but on knowing and being known by God. Scriptures such as Psalm 84, Ephesians 1, and John 15 highlight the joy, peace, and blessing that come from belonging to God. Our purpose as Christians is to glorify Him, and this purpose infuses even our pain and weakness with meaning. We are called to bear fruit, to grow, and to reflect God’s character in our daily lives. The presence of spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, and more—is the evidence of our inner transformation. A life that shows no growth is not truly alive. As Paul says in Galatians, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

To be alive in Christ means to live with purpose. Our aim is the glory of God in all that we do, whether in hardship or in joy. The life God gives us is not to be hoarded or lived for ourselves. It is to be used in love and service toward God and toward others. The Spirit gives each believer gifts not for personal gain but for the benefit of the body of Christ. Love is the first and defining fruit of the Spirit, and through it we fulfill our calling. As Christians, we are invited to abide daily in Christ, to drink deeply from His grace, and to walk in obedience. This is both our duty and our highest privilege: to live as those who are truly alive, empowered by the Spirit, and committed to the glory of God.

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