As I have been praying for the Church lately these two phrases
keep coming to me, "Those who call themselves by Your name." and
"Those who You call by Your name." In Revelation chapters 2 and 3
Jesus refers to those who refer to themselves as Christians but are not. This
afternoon as I was awakening from a nap my wife was watching a Christian
interview show and the host made a statement about another Christian leader
that tweeted "Marriage is between one man and one woman." when the
Supreme Court redefined marriage; and they got lots of hateful responses from “Christians”.
In my 43 years of being a Christian I have know many people who
called themselves Christians but their lifestyle and public behavior did not
reflect common Christian values. I once was and have know many who were quite
Christians, those who rarely told anyone they were a Christian.
The fact is that there are many who call themselves Christian
but are not, Jesus said it would be this way and that those who claim to be
Christian and are not will be surprised when they are rejected by Christ, see
Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:31-46.
How can this be?
There are many
"Christians" that just let others tell them what to believe based on
the other's credentials as a leader. They do not read and study the Bible for
themselves so that if the one they believe is not teaching the true life and
doctrine of the Word of GOD then they do not know that they are believing a
lie. Also there are some who are wolfs in sheep's clothing. some who are false
prophets and those who purposely teach false doctrine. Jesus and the Apostles
made reference to this fact.
That is why we
as a believer in Christ, a Christian, one who is called by His name must know
what the Bible says, what Jesus says!
Those who believe that they are a
Christian because they prayed asking Jesus to forgive them for being a sinner
do not understand what the Bible teaches. Repentance that the Bible teaches is
not just about forgiveness of our sins but it also requires that we change our
life to stop living like the world. That is why GOD gives us His Spirit, Holy
Spirit, because just as we were not able to change our life on our own before
we became a Christian; we are not able to change our life after we become a
Christian, we have to follow Holy Spirit and GOD's Word.
Repentance is not just about stopping
to live like the world but also starting to live for Christ! This also requires
that we follow the Word of GOD and Holy Spirit to ensure that we are truly
serving GOD as He formed us and called us to do.
The following was posted by Richard Dresselhaus on facebook
3-30-2018
An about face. That’s what marching bands do when they
reverse direction.
And…that’s the
meaning of the word repentance – an about face.
But…the problem
is this – people confess their sins…but don’t reverse direction. That is not
repentance.
John the Baptist said: “Repent, for the kingdom of
heaven has come near.” Then he told the crowd to produce the fruit of repentance
– an about face.
Yes…true
repentance does have an emotional side – sometimes accompanied even with tears.
But…it can’t stop there. Those emotions need to lead to action – an about face.
And…repentance
is a continual discipline in the believer’s life. Conviction is followed by the
decision to reverse direction.
Ask yourself if
there are areas in your life that call for repentance.
It’s God’s way
of producing change.
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