Defector or Devotee?
St John 6:66
When God, through the power of His Spirit and His Word, provides you with a distinct understanding of His desires, it is imperative that you obediently follow and adhere to that understanding (1 John 1:7). While you may experience excitement and satisfaction in your mind and soul, failing to adhere to the principles of righteousness will result in a state of enslavement that surpasses anything our Lord could have foreseen. By disregarding the "heavenly vision" mentioned in Acts 26:19, you will become enslaved to concepts and perspectives that are entirely alien to Jesus Christ. Avoid comparing yourself to others and thinking, "If they can hold such opinions and succeed, why can't I?" You must adhere to and follow the guidance and direction of the vision that has been bestowed upon you. Avoid making comparisons or passing judgment on others, as it is a matter best left to God and the individuals themselves. If you discover that one of your cherished and deeply ingrained beliefs contradicts the "divine revelation," refrain from engaging in an argument about it. If you do, a sense of ownership and individual entitlement will arise within you— concepts that Jesus did not deem significant. He opposed these things as they were the source of everything that was unfamiliar to him— "...for one's existence does not depend on the multitude of possessions one has" (Luke 12:15). If we fail to perceive and comprehend this, it is because we are disregarding the fundamental tenets of our Lord's instruction.
Typically, we have an inclination to relax and enjoy the recollection of the remarkable encounter we had when God disclosed His intentions to us. However, if we are made aware of a New Testament criterion by divine enlightenment, and we do not make an effort to conform to it, or even sense a natural inclination to do so, then we commence a regression in our spiritual journey. It signifies that your conscience is unresponsive to the truth. One's perception is permanently altered by the revelation of a truth. That moment distinguishes you as either someone who persists with even greater dedication as a follower of Jesus Christ, or as someone who retreats and becomes a deserter.