A New Challenge

The posts up until now have been sort of basic in the beliefs of Christianity.  Now I am going to go into an area that is going to challenge us. It is going to challenge in a way that we often are not comfortable with. It is going to challenge the status quo in our lives. It is my desire and hope that as we explore this area that we are able to do so with an open heart so we can grow in knowledge and mature in our walk with the Lord.

The area we are going explore, I am going to put in the form of a question. What does believing in Jesus look like?

I think that generally people today have a false sense of assurance that they are going to Heaven. Some may say how can you make such a sweeping, broad brush statement like that.  I am not making this statement based on my own opinion, it is God making this statement in the Bible.

To the unbelievers who say God loves us and good people will go to heaven. Jesus tells us otherwise in Matthew 7:14 But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a FEW will find it.

To the people who think they are Christian because they prayed a certain prayer, or go to church, or read the Bible,  etc.   Jesus says to them in Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

John also responds to these type of people in 1 John 2:4 The man who says I know him, but does not do what He commands is a liar and the truth is not in him.

The Bible gives many examples of people who "SAY" they are a Christian; however,  God says that they are deceived.

When judgement day comes, we don't want to be the ones that we think we are going to Heaven and God says to us (Matthew 7:23) I NEVER KNEW YOU; DEPART FROM ME.  We want to be the ones on judgement day where God says to us (Matthew 25:21) WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!

How can we be assured that we are true and genuine believers in Christ?

First...2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves  to see if you are in the faith: examine yourselves. Also we see in 2 Peter 1:10 Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you. And again in 1 Corinthians 11:28  But a man must examine himself.

So the first thing that we need to do is examine ourselves. We need to ask the Lord to help cause a true, authentic, and honest look at ourselves and give us a strong desire to correct the changes in our lives that are needed.

Until next time