From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
How do we know Christ is actually in us? How do we prove to ourselves that this is real? How do we really know we’ve been reconciled to God through Christ?
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:14-26
Our faith is ONLY really known when it is tested, worked, and utilized. Our relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit is the same way. We must listen to Him, converse with Him, and obey the promptings and assignments from the Holy Spirit. We must learn to recognize His Voice and His direction. We must learn the Rhema Word of God to us spoken by the Holy Spirit directly to our hearts and minds. We must seek Him and know Him.
How well do you learn any relationship? It takes lots of quantities of time spent together discussing, asking questions, and listening. Can you really have a friendship without ever talking together? How do you know you can trust your friend if you have never gone through any tests and trials together? Have you ever had to resolve a conflict with a friend? Have you ever been reconciled with a friend? It all takes courage, honesty, transparency, and work.
What is prayer really? An honest conversation with God.
Purpose in your heart today to be listening to the Holy Spirit. Keep your mind and heart dialed in to His whispers and slightest prompting. Learn to step out and obey Him.