A Note to one of My Favorite Disciples — by Dave Seivright
I want you to know that God loves you unconditionally, and so do I.
I am pleased to see God beginning to do a work in your heart, which will bring about permanent change, to gradually conform you to be more like Jesus (especially in the way that you love and serve others, See Romans 8:29). Only a change from the heart can effect permanent change from the inside out. There are many “good” people who keep God’s moral code (the 10 Commandments) yet the commandment against “coveting” shows that God looks at the heart, even our thoughts. To lust is fornication or adultery, to list for things is theft, to hate is to murder. Jesus makes this clear in the New Testament (Read Matthew 5).
Read carefully: Romans 12:1-2 —
“I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of god, to surrender your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to god, which is your spiritual worship. do not be conformed to this, but be transformed [by god himself] by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you he may discern what is his good and acceptable and perfect will for you”.
NOTE:
1. Only God Himself can change you; You cannot change your heart; notice the passive tenses in this passage; the only thing that you have to do is to “surrender” to Him.
2. Saving faith and Repentance are a gift from God, it is not something that you do. They are two sides of the same coin. The words “faith” and “repentance” are used interchangeably in Scripture, particularly in the book of Acts.
3. Surrender (involving faith & repentance) is turning away from self and turning towards God — you must “look God in the eyes”. See:
“He came to his own, [the Jews] and his own people did not receive him. but to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of god, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of god.” John 1:11-13.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God —not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
SCRIPTURE STATES IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT FAITH & REPENTANCE:
1. It is a gift from God. It is not something that you can simply decide to do yourself. (“the just shall life by FAITH” Romans 1:17)
2. Faith grows through a very intense and mature intimate personal relationship with Christ. God will give you such a relationship and become your “Abba” as you continue to surrender to Him. (Please Read the entire chapter of Romans 8).
3. A person without an intimate personal relationship with Christ cannot assume that he/she is a Christian who has been “born again” (John 3) or that they are going to heaven. Saving faith and repentance are two sides of the same coin. Jesus says that HE is the vine and HE IS THE ONLY ONE TO PRODUCE FRUIT (INCLUDING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – He adds that those branches which do not produce fruit (including spiritual fruit) will be cut off and thrown into the fire. (See “The Parable of the Vine” John 15:1-7)
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In Closing, Please ask Jesus to Reveal Himself to YOU in a special way, after you read again, for a second time, what I have written above. Then I recommend that you ask Jesus to “reveal Himself” through His Word, as you prayerfully read through the Gospel of John and the book of Romans just one chapter at a time.
If you don’t find that you have a personal relationship with Jesus, then:
By Dave Seivright — republished April 6, 2023.
DAVE SEIVRIGHT is a former lawyer from Jamaica, is a graduate of the University of Liverpool, UK, and Westminster Theological Seminary, USA. He also did graduate studies at L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland, and Trinity College in England. He has been married to PAULINE for 58 years. They have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Dave had the privilege of being personally mentored by the late Dr. Francis Schaeffer, and also by Dr. J. I. Packer. Dave was also mentored by the teachings and writings, and by personal interaction with the late Dr. John Stott. Dave attempts to pass on to others the things he learned from these great men of God. Combining his studies of interpretation and evidence as a lawyer with his studies of philosophy, apologetics, and theology, Dave has taken a special interest in the subject of “Worldviews” and the influence of Christianity on the culture of Western civilization. Dave has devoted his time to teaching the Christian worldview worldwide, and mentoring and discipling very intelligent young professionals, particularly in Miami, and in Germany.
