I just want to share with you today a conversation a friend and I were having. We were talking about those who say they are saved yet do the exact same things they did before their “conversion”. The works that come forth from them are the same sinful things they did before with no desire for the things of God.
This seems to be contrary to what the Bible says. It says in 2Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Steven Curtis Chapman even wrote a song concerning this. This lyrics to the song go like this, “What about the change, what about the difference, what about the grace, what about forgiveness, I want to live a life that’s showing I’m undergoing the change.”
That seems to be the litmus test. If you are not changed, you are not saved.
I know that there are things that God has to work out of us, but there is a desire for that stuff to be out of us. We desire the holiness of God to be evident in our lives. How does someone get in this situation. I submit to you that they never were a christian to begin with. They never saw themselves as wretched before a holy, righteous God. Therefore they saw no need to repent of the sins that seperate them from Him. If you are reading this and you find yourself in this situation I will provide you with the gospel so that you can be sure that you are right with God.
The Bible says that we are sinners. We have violated the Laws which God gave us. These are called the Ten Commandments. We are to use these as a mirror to see if we are in line with His standards. The thing is, none of us are. For example, How many lies have you told in your life? Quite a few I’m sure. The Bible says we are liars. Have you ever stolen anything regardless of value? If you have, then you are a thief. Have you ever committed adultery? No? Listen to what Jesus said. He said,”If you look at a woman to lust after her you have committed adultery with her in your heart. Just the thought of doing something is as bad as actually doing it, in God’s eyes. God sees the intents of your heart.
If you were to die in that state, God would give you justice for breaking His laws. He is Pure, Holy, and Just in all His ways. You would end up in hell on the day of judgment. The Bible says that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire. It also states that no thief, no adulterer will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is some hard stuff. But 2000 years ago God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life. A life that was pleasing and acceptable to God. He took upon Himself the punishment meant for us, the punishment He didn’t deserve. If you would repent, meaning turn from your sinning, and put your trust in Jesus to save you, you will be saved. Do that today because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
One Comment, Comment or Ping
Tony Cathey from False Doctrine and Heresy Exposed
You get the whole “Lip Service” effect in the church world today. People put their faith in recitation of biblical words and phrases and puts a tic on the chalkboard marking the person as saved. But you are right. What about the change? What if that person didn’t really feel the drawing of the Lord. John 6:44 says:
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
So if we are not truly promoting the true Gospel, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do His Work, we are actually doing a Disservice to the work of God and “saving” people under false pretenses.
Sep 7th, 2008
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