This is something I have had many conversations about in recent months with many different people both inside and outside of our church. I've meant to blog it, but have been either super-busy or distracted when it comes time to blog. One of the most sobering passages in the Bible is what Greg Laurie references below. Matthew 7:21-23 says that many, not a few, not even some, but many on that judgement day when they stand before God and share their list of Christian accomplishments, God will say that He doesn't even know them. Let me do my own paraphrase of the scripture below: "Lord, Lord, didn't I teach Sunday School, tithe, attend some Bible studies, memorize some scriptures and attended worship services faithfully in your name?" To which the Lord will reply, "I don't even know you." This is a wake-up call to Christians. How could someone be able to look like a great Christian attender and worker on the outside and not be saved? This is a matter of the heart. God is concerned with the heart. God wants you to be right on the inside. Your heart and faithful commitment to Him is His main concern. I find that most of the time if not all, I can tell when people are just clocking in and clocking out. Some "Christians" just go through the motions of Christianity, but their hearts are far from him. I can usually tell if their heart is in their attendence, study, and service. Remember...to many on that day Jesus will turn and say that He doesn't even know them. How many of your friends or people in your church will make it on that day with a "well done good and faithful servant"? Only those who know their Master and their Master knows them.
Read Greg's thoughts on this topic. I echo his sentiments.
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
— Jude 4
Is it possible to preach and not be a true believer, or to even do miracles and not necessarily be saved? Absolutely.
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' " (Matthew 7:21–22).
Notice that Jesus said, "Many will come in that day" (emphasis mine). This reminds us there will be an abundance of false miracles in the last days. Many will say they have been doing miracles. Many will say they have been casting out demons, allegedly. But Jesus will say, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matthew 7:23). The worst thing imaginable is to spread wickedness under the veneer of true faith. Tragically, this does happen in the church today.
I wish that we could spot these people more easily. But Jude pointed out that they come in unnoticed (see Jude 4). That is the whole idea. Satan is a deceiver. And that is why on more than one occasion, the Bible compares him to a snake. Having been an avid collector of snakes as a kid, I know how easily they can get out of the tightest little spots and escape. In the same way, Satan sneaks into the church unnoticed.
False teachers come into the church secretly. And their numbers grow by preying on unsuspecting believers. Beware of false teachers. And be careful of those who say they have a message you won't hear anywhere else.
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