For the past week, I have been especially sensitive to what some Christians have been professing to believe. I have been shocked at what they have spoken and written. If you must know, I am referring to the push of homosexual ministers, the approval and practice of witchcraft, use of psychics and mediums, and living together before marriage. (There are many more, but these are the fastest growing in the church today.) I will admit, I was angry at first and then God spoke to my heart and I began to weep.
What has become of Christianity? Are there as many Christians in the eyes of God as there are professing Christians?
Jesus makes a bold statement regarding this very issue:
"Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord', shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven, many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Matthew 7:21-23.
Jesus says that only those who do the will of His Father will enter into heaven. What is the will of His Father?
Consider the following:
Then Jesus said to them, "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:40.
Believing in Jesus goes far beyond acknowledging his existence; it is believing everything about Him-from who He claimed to be to what He taught. Most people have no problem with the lighter and more acceptable things like, love your neighbor as yourself, God is love, God is a forgiving God and the like. The problem arises when faced with the justice and holiness of God and the lifestyle He requires…this is where the true test of Christianity comes in.
Then Jesus said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:34b-38.
This doesn't sound as fluffy and sweet does it? However, as we understand the character of God, it makes perfect sense. God is holy and pure and nothing unholy and impure can stand before Him. Yet in His great love for us, He provided one who can make us holy--His Son, Jesus Christ.
So what does it mean to deny our self, take up our cross and follow Him? It means setting aside our own thoughts and beliefs and replacing them with Godly thoughts and His will for living and in return, we have the privileges of God's kingdom. Sound conditional and narrow minded? That's because it is. Jesus said the road that leads to life is narrow and there are few who go by it. (Matt 7:13-14.)
Being a Christian isn't a religion, it isn't man trying to satisfy the deepest needs of his heart or trying to look good in front of others by following rules and regulations. It is a way of life; it is who we become. As the Bible says, the one who professes faith in Christ has their life hidden in Him and because of this, our desires change to match His desires. As a result, our desire to sin and our approval of the sinful behavior of others will cease. If not, we need to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith.
This brings me to the heart of this message and the questions that came to mind for every one of us who claim to believe in Jesus and call ourselves Christians (Including all Christian denominations). Please do not confuse disapproval with condemnation. These are two different issues.
1) Do you practice or approve of sex outside of marriage?
2) Do you believe abortion is okay with God?
3) Do you believe that everyone will go to heaven as long as they are a good person?
4) Do you practice or approve of homosexual behavior?
6) Do you believe it is okay to get drunk all the time?
7) Do you believe that it is okay to follow astrology or utilize a Medium?
8) Do you pride yourself in being open-minded at the expense of the word of God?
9) Do you believe that people are basically good?
These are just a few to get us started. There are many more, but this should suffice.
If the answer is yes to anyone of these, we must reconsider our claims. To be fair, new believers or those who do not read the Bible, may not be aware that these things mentioned are in direct violation of God's holiness and His word.
I am not saying everyone has to believe this, but for those who profess Christianity, Jesus requires much from us; remember His words: "It is better to tie a rock around your neck and sink, than to lead those who want to know Me astray. His message is clear; we are either for him or against him. There is no in between. Which side will we chose? (Matt.12:30.)
This may sound like a harsh message and in a sense it is; it is a call to Christians to repent and turn away from the teaching of the world system. Jesus said; to love the world is to be an enemy of God. If there is any question as to what sin might be, here is an example of the many we find in Scripture:
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, heresies, envy, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" Galatians 5:19-21
The key word here is practice. It denotes a lifestyle, not the occasional slip that leads to repentance, but it is an outright rebellion to this truth with no remorse and a lot of justification.
This in no way implies that Christians should shun non-Christians and it does not mean look down on them. God's standard for living is based on His love and desire to protect us from the consequences of sin (Many of which I have experienced in time past). The good news is, there is total forgiveness for the one who repents from the heart.
We must ask ourselves two remaining questions:
1) Would God consider me a Believer, or will He say, depart from me, I never knew you?
2) If necessary, are we willing to make a change?
Jesus said go and sin no more. Period.
The time is now; take a moment. Share your sorrow with God for living with one foot in Christ and one in the world. He is waiting with open arms. It is God's grace that saves us as we put our trust in Jesus and our good deeds are evidence of that trust. (Ephesians 2:8-10.)
Father,
Forgive me for the times I compromise--I want to be safe in your arms and be a good example to those who are watching my life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
(C) Teresa Ortiz
