Counsel #7 — Test Of Discipleship

Picture: Counsel #7 — Test Of DiscipleshipCSL 49.1

Scripture reminds us that if anyone is in Christ, that person has become a new creation! Old things are passed away and new things have replaced them.^{[49]2 Corinthians 5:17} The things that you once loved—the things of the world—you’ll now hate, and the things you once hated—the things of God—you’ll now love! A change will be seen in your character, and you’ll crave to do God’s will and obey all He commands. If you allow yourself to be “grafted into the Vine” — live in complete submission to Jesus you will naturally bear fruit for Christ (see John 15:4).^{[50]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/perfect-and-ready-for-jesus/}CSL 49.2

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit.” John 15:5 NKJVCSL 49.3

“’Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.’ Our fruit-bearing testifies whether we are really abiding in Christ.” Ellen White in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1143CSL 49.4

“There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. If he restore the pledge [do what he promised to do], give again that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has passed from death unto life.” Ellen White in Steps to Christ, p.59CSL 49.5

Reflect: What have you learned about the fruits of the Spirit that you didn’t know before?CSL 49.6