What do I think about those who claim to be followers of Christ outwardly while admonishing others who claim to believe in Jesus?
I do not condemn anyone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord. I may not agree with modern dogma and man-made religious ideals; see Romans 9:3-33. While I do agree with all those who profess that Jesus is Lord, see Romans 10:8-11 (NIV), and especially since they are sealed with the holy spirit (bought with a price, owned by the Father, and legally belong to Christ), see Ephesians 1:13 (NIV). Again, in Romans 8:16-17 (NIV) we see our position in the family as adopted heirs according to promise. Bottom line is, all those who call upon the name of the Lord, believe and trust in Him shall be saved. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are a child of God today and tomorrow. We also need to constantly remind ourselves that there is not a verse anywhere in the scriptures saying we ARE saved, our salvation is a work in progress; Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV) reminds us of continuing to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us.
What I do not agree with is the idol worship of the Bible. It is as if without the Bible salvation cannot be obtained, or with the Bible people have all they need to know about God at their fingertips. Far too many have replaced the Holy Spirit’s leading and counsel by claiming that only the Bible is the source that can teach us and lead us to be disciples of Christ. See John 15:26-27 (NIV).
In the end, none of us understand anything; we simply claim to understand and fail to acknowledge that anything we do understand that knowledge is not something we learned by study, attending Sunday school or church—it is the knowledge and understanding of the Holy Spirit that we like to steal, and claim as our own. All we should understand concerning the gospel is to simply believe, and that belief is without conditions, with no games, with no gimmicks, with no sacrifice, with no works, with no form of pride, with no false humility, and with no hiding your true self.
As it states in Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” We should grasp that we are free in Christ, and that doing things to look righteous, feel good about oneself, desire to be accepted, needed, believed, trusted, and knowledgeable, is not believing on and trusting in Christ Jesus; it is all faithless, religious, and selfish deception that comes from the evil one.
Preaching in all its forms should only concern the gospel, not about how to live a good Christian life; that is, God’s responsibility, not ours or a preacher’s responsibility. Our behavior is to be different than the world and culture around us: We are to be examples for others, so others can see the light of Christ shine in and through us. Everything we do should be inspired, nudged, and revealed by the Holy Spirit, and not by our own whims, desires, choices, or religious piousness, simply to prove we are a true believer and follower of Christ.
We are not perfect, or righteous, nor should we be self-righteous; Philippians 1:11 (NIV) puts it this way: “May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Well, that’s what I have to say today. Everything in our world is upside down. what was wrong yesterday is right today, and what was right yesterday is wrong today. No matter what the season is, we as followers of Christ should always allow others to see Him in us so we can be a witness for Him and His coming kingdom.
Wrapping it up I’ll leave you with this sermon by Pastor John McArthur
God bless and keep you safe.
Mike
23 June 2022
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