When? How do you know you are not a Laodicean who esteems his own position with God too highly...or one of the very many whom Jesus will claim not to know? Do you think those are important enough considerations? (not many here take that seriously).
Is there any need for the fear of the Lord at this stage in church history...or have we outgrown that?
I identify with the Philadelphian church, the faithful church.
God vomited the lukewarm Laodiceans out-of His mouth:
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
I don't have anything in common with this Church.
At some point in the near future I may be hurled into a state of extreme persecution, like that of Smyrna but their faith endured through it.
First and foremost the Holy Spirit, Who is a person of the Triune God has confirmed His relationship with me in many ways throughout the years. Being "born again" is not just a catch phrase, I experienced change in my life..I was blind to God /Christ. I did not want anything to do with Christ, Church, the Bible ... "No thanks", I would say to an invitation to church or just chuck a tract in the trash. I just wasn't ready. But at 34 years old, God, through a series of events and people who came into my life, drew me to Himself.. A Christian friend led me to Christ. She invited to Church and I was finally willing to go. I heard a Pastor preach who made the scriptures applicable to the present world. Then one day I was working, driving a airport shuttle and noticed a woman standing outside the airport waiting. I asked her if she need transportation somewhere. She said, yes, six of us need transporting to a Convention in Anaheim. I said okay, I'll inform my dispatch and I can take you. Well, they were six evangelists heading to a Christian Conference. They listened to my story involving my Christian friend and my recent Church visits. They said God is knocking on your door and all these events and people were orchestrated by God. When we arrived at our destination, they laid their hands on me and prayed for me and led me to receive Christ. Godly sorrow accompanied my experience.
I realized a whole new reality, my world view changed.
Since then I have been hungry for the Word, attended a great teaching church with a brilliant Pastor. That was 33 years ago.
Jesus changes our lives, He baptized us with the Holy Spirit, Whom we ask to receive and He hears our prayers, answers them, confirms His presence as he guides, teaches truth, counsels, speaks, bears witness to Christ and glorifies Him, loves us, makes promises, fellowships with us, sanctifies us, chastises, edifies, convicts us, gives gifts, helps us, comforts us and through Him we receive the ability to discern scripture.
The Holy Spirit is key! A small selection of verses ...
John 16:7-8; 13-15
Acts 1:8
Matthew 3:1
John 15:16-17
John 15:26
Ephesians 1:13
Romans 5:5
Romans 8:26-27
Romans 15:30
Galatians 5:22-23
1 Cor. 6:11
2 Peter 1:21
Phil. 2:1-2
1 Thes. 1:6
Mark 3:29