Challenge continued

As we continue our search of what a true believer in Christ looks like, we are reminded that we are to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5.

However, when we examine ourselves, we need to measure ourselves with what God says in the Bible and not what the world says. That goes back to the false assumption that "good people go to Heaven"

After that examination, what did you find?  Im sure for most of us, what we found was not very appealing. When we went to Kansas a couple of weeks ago, there was a quote from Brennan Manning in the back of the church. It stated "The single greatest cause of atheism in the world is today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, and then walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyles. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable."

Jesus said this in Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven."

In the first part of Matthew 7:21 Jesus says "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is IMPORTANT to understand from that verse, (and in fact from the whole Bible) is that God does not guarantee heaven to everyone who "says" they  have faith in Christ.

So, after the examination of ourselves, did we find that we are only confessing our faith in Christ with our lips?........If so, be assured just as Jesus said, you will NOT be going to heaven.

When we look at the second part of Matthew 7:21, we see what is required of us to get into heaven........"but he who DOES the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter."

Do not be fooled, you cannot be a true believer by just professing your faith in Christ; your lifestyle has to show it.  Does EVERYONE: family, current friends, older friends, co-workers, etc. KNOW that you are a follower of Christ?   If not, be moving toward making Him known.    Until next time.