So, if you haven't come unto Christ (v. 34), the concept of the resurrection and the judgment that accompanies it functions as a litmus test that enables you to do a "thought experiment" (one of Einstein's "gedanken's") that will, if you do it honestly, help reveal your need for the atonement. If you HAVE come unto Christ, experienced a mighty change of heart, received his image in your countenance, and been spiritually born of God, then the same thought experiment - picturing yourself at the resurrection, before the judgment seat of God - enables you to tell if you have continued in Christ, connected to the Vine or not.
"if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask can ye feel so now?" (v. 26). The litmus test here involves
Retaining/renewing a remission of your sins
"keeping yourselves blameless before God"
"garments...cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ"
Avoiding a sense of self sufficiency and superiority that is a common trap for the redeemed
"have you been sufficiently humble?"
"are ye stripped of pride?"
"are ye stripped of envy?"
do you "make a mock" of your brother?
heap "upon him persecutions?'
your answers to these questions reveal whether you, just like those who have never yet know the Savior "have gone astray, as sheep having no Shepherd."
The continuing presence of the atonement in our lives IS after all the continuing presence and influence and direction of the Shepherd, which we gain and retain in the same way - by listening to and accepting his invitations and hearing and following ("hearkening unto") his voice. (v.33-35, 37-38,
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