John 3:3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

 

We closed the Morning Message yesterday with the question: Was Simon really saved? The Scripture says that he believed and was baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the Miracles and Signs which were done. (Acts 8:13)

 

While no one has the ability or right to judge the condition of another person’s salvation, it is interesting to study what the Word of God says about people. In the case of Simon, we find a man who was possessed by the demonic spirit of witchcraft and sorcery. He used these powers to perform supernatural feats and in doing so, the Bible tells us he had the people in Samaria bewitched. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. (Acts 8:9)

 

When Philip came to town and began preaching the Truth of the Gospel, the people believed him and were saved. As stated above, Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the Miracles and Signs which were done. (Acts 8:13) According to this, Simon heard the Truth of the Gospel which was preached by Philip and he believed it to be true too. He was even baptized and went with Philip as he ministered.

 

However, Peter and John came to town and laid hands on people to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, and the old man in Simon came back to life! He wanted the power they had and he offered to buy it from them. As we have been studying for a few days now, this caused Peter to rise up against him and call him out demanding that he repent because his heart was not right with God.

 

So, this is the question: Can a person be truly saved and his heart not be right with God at the same time? The Word tells us that Simon believed and was baptized. It does not say that he repented and turned from his sin.

 

This brings us to the true meaning of repentance which is to turn from sin and self and turn toward God. Repentance is making a full about-face; turning one’s back on their old self and looking only to God.

 

Simon heard the Truth of the Gospel and he believed it BUT he never repented. He never turned from his old ways and sought after God. The moment came when he could use his knowledge of Jesus for his own benefit, he jumped at the chance. Simon never set himself aside to give all glory, honor, and praise to Jesus. His motive was the same as it always had been. He wanted to have power over the people and keep them bewitched and if he had to use the Power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this, he would.

 

My conclusion is this: Knowledge (and even believing the knowledge to be true) is not Salvation. True Salvation is to be born again just like Jesus said. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. (John 3:3) This means to totally turn from your old self and old ways leaving it all behind no longer wanting any part of it. It means to seek and want ONLY the things of God through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. It is to be an entirely different person, born again and no longer anything like you used to be. This is the true meaning of repentance.

 

 

True repentance will…..…….turn the tide

 

Born again! Doreen

 

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