largeli -
Regarding the below:
I'm not trying to beat myself up as much as I'm trying to judge myself.
"Those Our Heavenly Father dragged to Himself, Christ imparts His Holy Spirit within their spirit; and gives them a new heart that cares for others - together with a change in their mindset and thinking to think like Christ thought."
George is there no action then? The Holy Spirit causes you to 'care' for others and to 'think' differently? That's the proof that the very spirit of the Almighty God lives in us?
When Christ said "you don't do what I said" you're saying He was talking about something specific, a commandment, and not a constant obedience to our conscience in all aspects of our daily lives?
It is best if The Holy Scriptures (from the KJV) answer your question:
Proverbs 24:16
for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
Proverbs 28:18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mark 12:33
and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock;
for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Acts 15:8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Romans 8:26-28
26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because
he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2 Corinthians 1:22
who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5
having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7
in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8
wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12
that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13
in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14
which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 t
he eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:2
that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
1 Thessalonians 2:4
but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but
God, which trieth our hearts.
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our
God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
Do not the above Scriptures give you comfort and assurance that 'you are His Workmanship'; and that what 'He started, He will complete'?
Do you know how to test the desires of your heart; whether they be selfish or selfless?
Do you not know that it is 'He that justifieth; and not you'?
To me, it comes down to this very simple fact:
'Do I now want to do my will, or His Will'?
Should we not always be at peace in Him, full of His Joy and Love - no matter what befalls us?
Is it ourselves that desire to do Good - or is it He that drags us to Himself, justifies us, and starts to cleanse us and fill us with His Knowledge and Wisdom?
Are we not to look in the mirror and see Christ in us?
Do you motivate yourself, or does 'He Work in you to do His Good Works'?
Warmest Regards.
George