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Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Corinthians 13:5
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I am not a perfect Christian.
I have made mistakes big and small and I still make mistakes, big and small.
I have sinned and I still sin (though that is not something I do as a matter of habit).
Though I go to Church, give tithes and offerings, attend/lead Bible studies, serve in various Church ministries and even preach the Word of God – my salvation and right standing with God isn’t because of any of this – it is ONLY because of Jesus Christ.
I am not saying this because it’s the right thing to say or because it somehow makes me seem super spiritual. No, I am saying it like it is.
What about you?
Do you examine yourselves daily, relying on the Holy Spirit, to see whether you are truly in the faith, a true follower of Jesus or are you simply going through the motions, having successfully deceived yourselves into thinking you are a Christian?
If you think I am out of my mind, simply trying to scare you, you are sadly mistaken.
Let’s see what the Word of God, the Bible has to stay about this matter of being a true believer. I have listed both the King James translation as well as the New American Standard Bible.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has this to say of those who approach Him, convinced they are Christians:
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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. (KJV)
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. (NASB)
Matthew 7:22-23
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Do you comprehend what Jesus is saying here? If He doesn’t know you, you are done! No excuses. No second chances.
We read this in the Gospel of John.
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If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV)
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. (NASB)
John 15:6
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If you don’t continually remain in Jesus, He will cast you into the fire, that’s eternal separation and damnation people.
The book of Romans has this to say.
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Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (KJV)
Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. (NASB)
Romans 11:22
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There is so much more I could share but I pray I have made my point.
[box type=”info”] This isn’t meant to drive you away from God in fear, but LORD willing, I pray the Holy Spirit would light a fire in you that you would have a holy fear and reverence for God the Father and have a new found passion and desire to know Jesus and remain/abide in Him. Out of this intimate relationship with Jesus will then flow your desire to love like Jesus, fellowship with other Christians, be part of Bible studies, serve in Church ministries, go on mission trips and have the courage, boldness and love to share the Gospel with others.[/box]
Am I making any sense here or are you utterly clueless because you are entrenched deep in deception?
I pray that the Holy Spirit is convicting you even as you read these words.
This isn’t about me, though everything I have written here applies to me, as much as it applies to you!
I don’t care if you are a Pastor or a worship leader or a youth leader or whatever, all of this applies to you, as much as it does to each and every Christian out there.
In the end, I cannot coerce you or convince you with fine arguments, only the Holy Spirit can speak to you, if you don’t try to silence Him with your self-righteousness and arrogance but humble yourself to listen to Him.
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On that last day, when you stand before Jesus, will He turn to you and welcome you into His presence, to enjoy eternity with Him in heaven
or
will He turn to you and say that He doesn’t know you, that He never knew you and turn you away from His presence and condemn you to eternal separation from Him?
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My prayer for you, for us, is that we will humble ourselves and yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit and be true followers of Jesus, not just people who practice Christianity as a religion and simply wear it as a label.
You can fool everyone around you but you can’t fool God.
God bless you.
Thank Sri 🙂