Why all the circles?

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Dittos!

21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

They have a REAL PERSONAL fellowship with Yeshua Christ. He will MANIFEST himself to THEM.

They will be SATISFIED with his favor.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (New International Version)

3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (New Living Translation)

3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.

5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

I know we'd all like some kind of God-given gauge to determine who is and who is not sold out for the Lord, and who are the fakers. But no matter how discerning we are, there is always a chance we could be wrong. We may put people into heaven that don't belong, or worse, misjudge someone and send them to hell undeserving.

But as MtD pointed, Jesus made it clear how He decides who is and who is not His.

Consider 2 Timothy 2:19,

19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Jesus knows. This is why Paul urges us not to judge before the time. The only real thing you or I can do, is make certain we belong to Jesus. The more we become like Christ, the closer we get to Him and are molded by Him into His image, the more we will be able to tell who is and who is not a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

But even then, we may err. So let's not worry too much about trying to figure out secrets only God knows. Let's just worry about ourselves. As we make full proof of our ministry and make our calling and election sure, Jesus (and not us), will draw us together to prove that we have been sealed and are known by Him.