Today I ask the typical Christian to summarize the gospel, and you will invariably hear phrases like, “accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior”; “ask Jesus into your heart”; “invite Christ into your life”; or “make a decision for Christ.” Christians have become so accustomed to using those expressions that it might surprise you to learn none of them are based on biblical terminology.
They are products of a diluted gospel. Jesus taught that the cost of following Him is high, that the way is narrow and few find it (Matt. 7:13–14). He said many who call Him Lord will be forbidden from entering the kingdom of heaven. He gave this sobering warning: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. This truth is avoided by must churches because they don’t want to say to most of the Church members that the path is narrow and most of you won’t make it because we are not living the true model of Christ.
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’ ” (Matt. 7:21–23). He was not speaking about an isolated group of fringe followers. There will be “many” on that day who will stand before Him, stunned to learn they are not included in the kingdom. Countless churchgoers today believe that because they recited a prayer, signed on a dotted line, walked an aisle, or had some other experience, they are saved and should never question their salvation.
But Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves to determine if we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Peter wrote, “Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you” (2 Peter 1:10). It is right to examine our lives and evaluate the fruit we bear, for “each tree is known by its own fruit” (Luke 6:44). Are you bearing good fruits?
The Bible teaches clearly that the evidence of God’s work in a life is the inevitable fruit of transformed behavior (1 John 3:10). Faith that does not result in righteous living is dead and cannot save (James 2:14–17). Professing Christians utterly lacking the fruit of true righteousness will find no biblical basis for assurance of salvation (1 John 2:4). Real salvation is not only justification. It cannot be isolated from regeneration, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. Salvation is the work of God through which we are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience. Now that we know what a Christian should be like. Compare your life if you are complying to the truth that Christ’s demand from us. All I can say is thank you Jesus Christ for giving your life for us. Amen.
My name is Cesar and I’m A Voice In The Desert
www.avoiceinthedesert.net
www.mywalkwithmycreator.com
#avoiceinthedesert
They are products of a diluted gospel. Jesus taught that the cost of following Him is high, that the way is narrow and few find it (Matt. 7:13–14). He said many who call Him Lord will be forbidden from entering the kingdom of heaven. He gave this sobering warning: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. This truth is avoided by must churches because they don’t want to say to most of the Church members that the path is narrow and most of you won’t make it because we are not living the true model of Christ.
Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness’ ” (Matt. 7:21–23). He was not speaking about an isolated group of fringe followers. There will be “many” on that day who will stand before Him, stunned to learn they are not included in the kingdom. Countless churchgoers today believe that because they recited a prayer, signed on a dotted line, walked an aisle, or had some other experience, they are saved and should never question their salvation.
But Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves to determine if we are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5). Peter wrote, “Be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you” (2 Peter 1:10). It is right to examine our lives and evaluate the fruit we bear, for “each tree is known by its own fruit” (Luke 6:44). Are you bearing good fruits?
The Bible teaches clearly that the evidence of God’s work in a life is the inevitable fruit of transformed behavior (1 John 3:10). Faith that does not result in righteous living is dead and cannot save (James 2:14–17). Professing Christians utterly lacking the fruit of true righteousness will find no biblical basis for assurance of salvation (1 John 2:4). Real salvation is not only justification. It cannot be isolated from regeneration, sanctification, and ultimately glorification. Salvation is the work of God through which we are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience. Now that we know what a Christian should be like. Compare your life if you are complying to the truth that Christ’s demand from us. All I can say is thank you Jesus Christ for giving your life for us. Amen.
My name is Cesar and I’m A Voice In The Desert
www.avoiceinthedesert.net
www.mywalkwithmycreator.com
#avoiceinthedesert
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