Prodigal: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Me: I do like apples so you will not have to force me to eat one.

This is from the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

If Christianity is true why are not all Christians obviously nicer than all non-Christians? What lies behind that question is partly something very reasonable and partly something that is not reasonable at all. The reasonable part is this. If conversion to Christianity makes no improvement in a man’s outward actions–if he continues to be just as snobbish or spiteful or envious or ambitious as he was before–then I think we must suspect that his ‘conversion’ was largely imaginary; and after one’s original conversion, every time one thinks one has made an advance, that is the test to apply. Fine feelings, new insights, greater interest in ‘religion’ mean nothing unless they make our actual behavior better; just as in an illness ‘feeling better’ is not much good if the thermeter shows that your temperature is still going up. In that sense the outer world is quite right to judge Christianity by its results. Christ told us to judge by results. A tree is known by its fruit; or, as we say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

If it has been years and closer to a decade and there has been no change in your behavior, thoughts and attitudes. I suggest taking a closer look. The conversion may not have been of faith but only religion. Also there may be a idol or sin that is blocking you if there is a conversion. I think we get wrapped up in sin is murder, rape and stealing. We can have a idol of money or laziness. We can put that before obedience. So I pray that you go to God this minute and ask Him to expose what is going on with your spirit. The Lord will show you.

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

MATTHEW 6 : 18

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org