Are you a real Christian or just a church-goer? Please don't think they are the same. Remember this eternal truth from the Lord:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven
, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mt. 7:21).
Nowhere in the Bible does it say that a Christian is one who gets dressed up, goes inside a building commonly called a "church" and sits through a sermon! Many that will go to Hell do this every week, but don't possess an obedient faith in Christ needed to enter God's Kingdom.
So how does the Bible describe the real Christian between initial and final salvation? Is his life now, because of grace, one in which he can sit back, relax, pursue the pleasures of this world and even start to live again according to the sinful nature with no possible hindrance to his personal entrance into the kingdom of God? According to the Bible, the Christian in this life now is:
Then there is the rampant problem of divorce and remarriage which has resulted with multitudes of illegitimate marriages, with both parties being adulterous (Mt. 5:32; 19:9; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:2,3; etc.). Even many pastors, elders and worship leaders in local congregations are adulterous, according to those Scriptures, with no fear of going to an eternal Hell, in spite of the clarity of Scripture (1 Cor. 6:9,10; Eph. 5:5-7; Rev. 21:8; etc.)
What the world needs today are spiritual leaders who, like John the Baptist, will fearlessly declare God's truths without concern of repercussions. Rather than thinking of their own ministries they are to be guards over the eternal souls entrusted to them. But very few seem to be this God fearing. Folks, this is serious! We, our loved ones and friends will be affected throughout all eternity by what we are doing now in this short life. Paul shed his blood at least nine different times and spent years in prison in his battle for eternity. In our day, professing "Christians" spend years of their lives in front of TV as they view things that can spiritually defile them and their loved ones!
In closing remember the following, as you assess yourself spiritually:
He replied, "My mother and brothers are those who hear God's word and put it into practice" (Lk. 8:21).
The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4).
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5:28,29).
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life (Rom 2:7).
The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:8,9).
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