December 17 Are You a Christian? Matthew 7:22-23
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)
Can you be a Christian and not believe in the Immaculate Conception and the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ? Can you be a Christian and actively support worldly activities and actions that are diametrically opposed to God’s Holy Word? Can you be a Christian and Hate your Family or your Neighbor? Can you be a Christian and not follow His Guidance and Instructions that are found in His Living Word, the Holy Bible? Can you be a Christian and deny the Power, Presence and the Direction of the Holy Spirit? Well, apparently there are those individuals that believe that the mere act of declaring that they are Christian, without any commitment or alteration in their thoughts and behaviors, that would honor and edify that selfless act of Love on the Cross of Calvary, is sufficient to elevate them to Christian Status! THE FACT IS THAT IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD AND THAT HE CAME WITH THE MISSION OF REDEMPTION AND TO REESTABLISH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THE FATHER, AND YOU HAVE NOT REPENTED, CONFESSED AND RECEIVED HIS GRACE AND FORGIVENESS, THEN YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN! It does not matter that you think or feel! What matters is your recognition that no one is righteous and that without recognition of our sinfulness and confession of our sins, we ARE NOT CHRISTIANS! Romans 10:9 declares the path to becoming a Christian: “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” John 3:16-17 provides a beautiful reality for humanity when it states: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Being a Christian involves more that just “being,” it requires a Personal Saving Relationship with Jesus Christ and an acknowledgement of His Amazing Grace, and the Receiving of His Atonement for our sins! Simply put, YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE AND YOU ARE NOT LIVING IN HIS GRACE! Recently, I was asked about this thought, and when I declared that Salvation is required in order to be a Christian, a fellow pastor challenged me on this point! Wow! Really? Satan really is moving about, looking for those that he can destroy! 1 Peter 5:8 gives clear and direct instructions when it says: “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused … THE BEST IS YET TO BE!