The True Mark of Spirituality - Zac Poonen - August 5, 2012
http://rlcfchurch.org/the-true-mark-of-spirituality River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that the greatest danger to believers is self-deception, which can lead one to believe falsehoods about their spiritual state, even when God allows it. To escape this deception, one must actively love the truth by honestly acknowledging sin—calling it by its worst name—and by humbly submitting to any truth revealed in Scripture that contradicts one's previous understanding.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The great danger of self-deception among believersThe speaker warns that self-deception is a greater danger for Christians than external cults or fake preachers, noting that God allows people to believe a lie if they do not love the truth.
What does it mean to love the truth?Loving the truth means being honest when God convicts you of unchristlikeness and calling sin by its worst possible name, such as calling anger murder and lust adultery.
Humble yourself to accept biblical correctionAnother part of loving the truth is the willingness to humble oneself and change long-held views when the scriptures clearly point to a different understanding.
Following every little commandment carefullyJust as one follows an expensive gadget's manufacturer instructions precisely, a believer must obey even the smallest commands in scripture to avoid living for the wrong things.
Misconceptions about true spirituality and humilityMany believers have wrong ideas about humility, confusing it with self-deprecating speech, proper dress, or acting like a doormat before people.
Did Jesus always act like a doormat?Examining how Jesus responded when struck by the high priest's officer shows that he stood up for his rights rather than blindly acting like a doormat, though he never fought back.John 18:19–22
The true and unmistakable proof of humilityThe clearest proof of genuine humility is total obedience to God in secret, even unto death to one's own self-will, as seen in Christ.Philippians 2:8
The evidence of receiving God's graceThe sole proof of receiving grace from God is that sin no longer rules over you, leading to victory over temper and impure thoughts.Romans 6:14
The origin of sin versus the origin of salvationSin originated when Lucifer repeatedly declared 'I will' in opposition to God, while salvation is found in Christ descending to earth to never do His own will but the Father's.Isaiah 14:13–14
The daily struggle of the cross in Christ's lifeHebrews describes how Jesus constantly offered prayers and supplications with crying during His earthly life to save Himself from doing His own will.Hebrews 5:7
The true church is built by crucified peopleJesus introduced three interconnected truths for the first time: building His church, His death on the cross, and believers taking up their cross to follow Him.
Submission as a divine principleGod established submission within creation, such as the relationship between man and woman, as a picture of the church's submission to Christ.
Letting your speech and walk give you awayJust as bystanders recognized Peter by his speech, the way we talk, live, and conduct ourselves should make it evident to everyone that we are disciples of Jesus.Matthew 26:73
Guarding the three hidden areas: thoughts, attitudes, and motivesGod examines the three secret areas that even the devil cannot see: our private thoughts, our attitudes toward others, and our innermost motives.
Walking as Jesus walked through the Holy SpiritWalking as Jesus walked is entirely possible under the New Covenant through the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than yielding to unbelief.
