12/26/21 LIGHT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

12/26/21 LIGHT AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

One of the most amazing and most important things said by some of our young people, as we sat around the campfire was that they could not remember the specifics of their conversion, but as they got older they realized and appreciated the presence of God as He delivered and kept them from sin.

Remember, all of our young people trusted and called on Christ for salvation while they were only two or three years old.

I was only three when I got saved, though I did not have Christian family or go to a Bible preaching church. My (unsaved) dad told me Bible stories and the Holy Spirit enlightened and quickened my heart to believe Christ for my salvation. God also called me to preach when I was three. I have always known Christ as my friend and Savior, and I have always known that He wanted me to be a preacher. Yes, I fell short from time to time, but I always knew to repent and trust Jesus for forgiveness. Being part of a faith community (family and/or church) would have enabled me to be more consistent in my faith relationship and victorious life.

After the young people said something about their vague remembrance of their conversion experience, I explained to them that it is good to know the circumstances of our conversion, but it is even more important to know the reality of our salvation, to know the abiding presence and enabling power of a right relationship with Jesus. At such an early age a child may not remember the particular events of their conversion, but knowing and being aware of Jesus in our lives is the essential reality. I pointed out that there are adults who can tell you the how, the where, the when of their conversion, but they do not have the evidence of salvation through a daily walk with Jesus. Living in the power of salvation and knowing Christ in our daily lives is more important than remembering the event itself (especially at such an early age).

We don't know what goes on in the deep recesses of a person's heart, but we can see the fruit (not only their works, their behavior, but the fruit of the Spirit) in a person's life. We can see the evidence of their spiritual condition, I have watched our children throughout their lives and it is evident that they have a living relationship with Christ, as well as a personal testimony to God's saving presence.

So, as I said, one of the most remarkable points that these young people shared was the fact that they know Christ and they have His presence in their lives. Early conversion should not be a surprise to believers, since Jesus said to let the very young children come to Him, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

I told the young people that I remember the life changing power that came into Joanna at a very young age (even though she does not remember the specifics of her early conversion). I also pointed out that we need to continue in a saving relationship with Christ, through faith and obedience. Salvation is not a one and done: it is a "take up your cross daily and follow Jesus."

The Bible clearly teaches us that being a Christian includes BEING BORN AGAIN (born of the Spirit), as an initial, crises, instantaneous conversion, AND IT INCLUDES BEING PRESENTLY AND CONTINUOUSLY BORN OF GOD. It is the ongoing reality of salvation that saves us from sin.

GOD SAID... (be sure to read these verses carefully)

CONVERSION (having been born again in the past)
John 3:3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

CONTINUOUSLY (being currently and continuously born of God)
1 John 2:28-29
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1 John 3:7-10
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1 John 4:7-9
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 5:1-5
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:18-21
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.