Nothing New Under the Sun

They would very desirously have evangelical joy, peace, and assurance, to countenance them in their evil frames and careless walking And some have attempted to reconcile these things, unto the ruin of their souls. But it will not be. Without the diligent exercise of the grace of obedience, we shall never enjoy the grace of consolation. John Owen, 1616-1683, English Puritan minister and writer

Unfortunately, the situation that Owen refers to is all too common today. Far too many people attend churches looking for some sort of “Christian experience” to assuage guilty consciences and provide a “feel good about myself” attitude, never intending to learn about how their Creator sees them and what He expects from them. What is worse is that in many instances, these things are rarely mentioned much less taught.
Let us turn to 1 John 2:3-6 for some instruction- “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” John, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, teaches us that the Christian life is marked by obedience to His commandments. One might ask, “What commandments?” (hint- there are ten of them). No, the true convert cannot accomplish this perfectly, even with the aid of the Holy Spirit, which indwells every true believer, sins are committed. However, throughout the process of sanctification, measurable and tangible growth in putting away sinfulness and living a life of increasing obedience is the path that leads to rest for the soul.
Jesus had a serious warning for those who would think otherwise as we read in Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”