What is a Christian? "Inner Light?"

The following quote is from Compton on the thread: Quakers, old and new, and the 'inner light':I suppose I am saying that I am reluctant to the idea that the Holy Spirt, or any Inner light "informs" the Christian in the literal sense. Testifying of the word, teaching the word, reminding of the word certainly, but never introducing a new word. At the risk of being too poetic... scripture informs, reason should conform, and I guess the Spirit can transform...the scriptures into character, a Living Word within.This thread also ties in with the post by Roadsign: "Taking the Lord’s name in vain. What does it mean?"Anyone who uses the name of Jesus inappropriately uses it in vain. A good example is given by Jesus:Matthew 721 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.The people in this passage would have called themselves Christians and would by those who they ministered to, be accepted as Christians. Yet, by Jesus’ testimony they weren’t. THEREFORE, THEY USED THE NAME OF JESUS IN VAIN.How can people be so deceived that they use the name of Jesus, believe that they are Christians, and at the same time according to Jesus are workers of iniquity, i.e. children of the devil? Let’s face it; these people must have had an “inner light” telling them that they were on the right track when they performed miracles. Who or what was that light, and is it still around today? The Bible tells us, no even better, WARNS us:2 Corinthians 1114 And no marvel; for Satan himself IS TRANSFORMED into an ANGEL OF LIGHT.15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.What is a Christian? A Christian is a person who by the virtue of the fact that he or she OBEYS ALL that Jesus commanded. If a person doesn’t OBEY ALL that Jesus commanded, he or she is not a Christian. It is THAT simple. We don’t need a special revelation or any man or woman to explain it to us, we simply have to obey. When a person obeys all that Jesus commanded; the Holy Spirit will testify to their spirit that they are children of God the Father because that is the mystery of the Gospel:Colossians 127 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of THIS MYSTERY among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS:29 Whereunto I also LABOUR, striving according to HIS WORKING, which WORKETH IN ME MIGHTELY ……(that would be the Holy Spirit working in Paul, not an “inner light.”)What Paul labors for is to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, and by doing this (led by the Holy Spirit within him), he labored – led by the Holy Spirit - towards the answer of the prayer of Jesus: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be MADE PERFECT IN ONE; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me (John 17:23).If you want to read more about the “inner light,” you may here: http://www.thefinalcall.net/?Indeed%2C_Has_God_Said%3F

Please forgive me. The reference I made to “inner light” in my post referred to the light from the one who is transformed as an angel of light, and the quote by Compton, not the “inner light” by George Fox, because I haven’t studied this.Maybe I misunderstand what Jesus told us: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:20).I had the mistaken idea that the “observe” meant “obey,” but it doesn’t. It means “to attend to carefully.”It may also be caused by the fact that when I referred to spiritual gifts in a denomination that doesn’t accept them; I was told to either be quiet or to leave. I guess that I probably am too legalistic when it comes to “observing” what Jesus said. What I attempted to say in my post was that if we willfully disobeyed the things Jesus taught us, we should re-examine our Christianity.

I'm not sure I know what it is that God seeks. Sometimes I think I have a handle on it, and yet I get nowhere. I can attempt to walk in the way which the bible commands. I do. But when my focus lies in it then I find myself very much becoming pharisee-esqe. If I rely too much on grace and divine guidance then I find myself wandering in the way which little children do. But it is not God seeking these things, it is me.Yeah, I'm sure this subject needs to be discussed. But like I think Greg was getting at a little bit, a very careful study and attendance cannot hurt. An unprepared launch into someones salvation is not something to be lightly taken.

I had the mistaken idea that the “observe” meant “obey,” but it doesn’t. It means “to attend to carefully.”The Greek word used here means to set a watch or guard over something which is to be kept safe. It is used often in the NT in such places as “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matt. 19:17, KJVS)“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” (John 8:51, KJVS)“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15, KJVS) Here's the full list...(Matt. 19:17; 23:3; 27:36,54; 28:4,20; Mark 7:9; John 2:10; 8:51-52,55; 9:16; 12:7; 14:15,21,23-24; 15:10,20; 17:6,11-12,15; Acts 12:5-6; 15:5,24; 16:23; 21:25; 24:23; 25:4,21; 1Cor. 7:37; 2Cor. 11:9; Eph. 4:3; 1Th. 5:23; 1Tim. 5:22; 6:14; 2Tim. 4:7; James 1:27; 2:10; 1Pet. 1:4; 2Pet. 2:4,9,17; 3:7; 1John 2:3-5; 3:22,24; 5:2-3,18; Jude 1:1,6,13,21; Rev. 1:3; 2:26; 3:3,8,10; 12:17; 14:12; 16:15; 22:7,9)

I suppose I am saying that I am reluctant to the idea that the Holy Spirt, or any Inner light "informs" the Christian in the literal sense. Testifying of the word, teaching the word, reminding of the word certainly, but never introducing a new word. At the risk of being too poetic... scripture informs, reason should conform, and I guess the Spirit can transform...the scriptures into character, a Living Word within.Paul in 2 cor 3:15-18 says:Indeed to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies on their (the Jews) heart; But whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.And the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting like a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory even as from the Lord Spirit."Here we see that transformation is by the Spirit. As we behold the Lord with an unveiled heart, we are transformed from within by the indwelling Spirit. The veil is on the heart. And in Christ the veil is taken away. When we turn our heart to the Lord we are unveiled and we behold the glory of the Lord and the indwelling Spirit transforms us into the same image.This is transformation in the New Testament. It requires a single heart toward God and revelation of the Lord to us and the indwelling Spirit to transform us.And this revelation of Christ is from the Word. The Spirit unveils Christ to us from the Word. Paul said, 'Whenever Moses is read (the written Word) a veil lies over their heart which veil is removed in Christ.It is the Spirit through the Word that Christ is unveiled to us and we behold Him, reflect Him, and are being transformed into His Image.The Word without the Spirit is dead letters. The Spirit without the Word is etherial and incomprehensible. The Spirit through the Word is life, substance, and Light."The Spirit rides best in His own Charriot" - Joesph Carroll.Sanctify them in the Truth, Thy Word is Truth - the Lord Jesus.Grafted branch