I mentioned ‘Jesus Revolution’ in a post a while back. Living in Southern California in the early 70’s there was no way to miss the buzz of what was going on and how the movement started amongst ‘hippies’ and others. I was not a hippy but I was a young believer (I wore bell-bottoms) and the noise attracted me. I wanted to see what it was all about.
Jesus was NOT a hippie. He was NOT a rebel. He obeyed His Father and did all that His Father asked Him to do, even dying on a cross.
Being born again comes with responsibility and at the point of your repentance and regeneration you are justified, yes, but you are also sanctified and continue to be sanctified. You know Jesus is Lord and you are His follower. I didn’t grow in this movement. I enjoyed some of the experience but I couldn’t stay there and I didn’t stay there. I had to find solid teaching (meat) for my journey.
I am not denying that some come to a saving faith during these movements but for continued growth and stability solid Biblical teaching is necessary. You don’t want to be in a constant ‘tossing about by every wind of doctrine’.
It’s not about just who you are it’s about what Jesus did for you and how He can change you to become more like Him.
God can and will save you but He won’t leave you as you are.
From Alistair Begg, Truth for Life (March 10, 2023):
Whatever your preferred terminology, this much is always true: the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ isn’t simply a free pass that excuses us to do as we please. No, the gospel calls us and empowers us to do what pleases the Lord. The key is that the gospel always turns us back to Jesus. As you look to Christ for your righteousness, He will enable you to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” and strengthen you to run the unique race God has set out for you (Hebrews 12:1-2). So today, be sure not to trust in your righteous living to earn you salvation or blessing from the Lord. But equally, be sure not to make the mistake of allowing your salvation to tempt you to be half-hearted in your pursuit of righteous living. You have been made righteous; now go and live righteously.
(I wrote this post in 2023 and never published it so I’m publishing it now)
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Ellen, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post! I’m so thankful that you searched for a place where you could be fed the Word of God and grow! Your post is so well written, and I truly appreciated seeing Alistair’s quote at the end.
Good post, Ellen; well-written. Worship the Lord with a holy life.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You make it so clear and I trust others will understand and come to Christ. It’s helpful to me, too. 🙂
Well done, and I love the photograph!
AMEN. A great post Ellen!!!
Hello Ellen,
I love the photo! Have a great weekend.
You definitely had that 70’s look in the photo. 🙂
Yes, we’re working out our salvation every day. Giving your life to Jesus isn’t like getting a ‘get out of jail free’ card. We have to take up our cross – give up our will and desires – and ask the Lord what His will is for us, each and every day. Then walk in THAT. Great post Ellen.
This was such a powerful post Ellen, and so much truth spoken! I love what Alistair Begg wrote too. Darling picture of you! Walking in the meat of the Word is so much better than living off “fluff and stuff” and “flying with every wind of doctrine”! How grateful I am that He wants to teach us each day more about Him. Just as Jesus learned obedience to His Father, so do we. Blessings to you dear friend!