July 6 - An Empty Profession of Faith

“‘Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter’” (Matthew 7:21).

Here Jesus is speaking of the devotedly religious who think they are saved but aren’t. The Lord will continue these warnings later about spiritual self-deception—the foolish, unprepared virgins (Matt. 25:1–12) and the goats who did not really serve Him (Matt. 25:32–33, 41–46).

Second, many fail to examine themselves (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John 1:8–9), instead gliding through life unconcerned about sins. One who has no desire to come to God for continued cleansing is likely not saved.

Third, a person can be deceived even in the midst of much religious activity. Hearing sermons, reading the Bible, and attending Bible studies are good, but such things may insulate someone from true worship.

Fourth, many attempt to rationalize their salvation, thinking that their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. But apart from God, we cannot do anything righteous (Pss. 14:1–3; 53:1–3; Rom. 3:12).

We could mention many other spiritual delusions, all of which involve failure to enter the narrow gate with repentance, submission to Christ, humility, and a desire for holiness. The important thing, however, is not to wonder about all those possibilities but to enter God’s one true way to salvation.

Is the validity of your salvation ever in doubt in your mind? Do you see yourself in any of the examples given above? Then anchor your faith today in the sure word and promises of God, and walk in the confidence of eternal life, bought and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Interesting metaphor Jesus used about that "narrow gate". He had also spoken about a camel going through the eye of a needle. There is a common story about a gateway into a certain part of Jerusalem that was called the Eye of the Needle which required people and camels to remove all baggage before they could fit through it. A little research shows that there isn't such a place and that Jesus really was using hyperbole to make His point both with the narrow vs. wide gates as well as the eye of the needle. I thought this was interesting:

'The camel and the eye of the needle'

No matter how much we do for God or how pious and holy we try to be, we can never deserve or merit salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us is the only way through that narrow gate. The broad way to destruction encompasses every religion of the world where man must prove to God that he has earned the reward of heaven/Nirvana/Happy-Hunting-Grounds/etc.. Only genuine Christianity teaches that it isn't what we must do for God but what HE has done for us by His grace. He offers salvation as a gift and we receive that gift by faith, by believing God. If that faith is genuine, it will change us forever because we will be born again into God's family and the Holy Spirit indwells us conforming us into the image of Christ. God alone sees our hearts. He knows if our faith is true or empty. All things are possible with God!

Who in just a span of a few moments, repented and believed on the Son of God...

Direct questions deserve direct answers:

John 6:25-40

²⁵When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
²⁶Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. ²⁷Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
²⁸Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
²⁹Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
³⁰So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’^[c]”
³²Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
³⁴“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
³⁵Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. ³⁷All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. ³⁸For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. ³⁹And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. ⁴⁰For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

"40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

According to Catholicism, to earn that 'raising up in the last day' you then must go to a Catholic Mass where the Catholic Priests will command that The Risen Christ come to the Catholic Altar to be eaten by the Catholic faithful in a wafer magically transmogrified into the actual flesh and blood of The Risen Christ Who must obey the Catholic Priest's command ... regardless of how degenerate the priest is before and after the magical Mass.

Which illustrates graphically how the pride of the adherent is what is fed with the magical transmogrification ceremony. The spirit is not fed when the pride of self doing is at the heart of the actions/works.

Many factors deceive people regarding salvation. First, some have a false assurance. They rely on past “decisions for Christ,” apart from the Spirit’s convicting work. But our salvation is made secure by increasing evidences of fruitfulness (2 Peter 1:3–11). Second, many fail to examine themselves (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John 1:8–9), instead gliding through life unconcerned about sins. One who has no desire to come to God for continued cleansing is likely not saved. Third, a person can be deceived even in the midst of much religious activity. Hearing sermons, reading the Bible, and attending Bible studies are good, but such things may insulate someone from true worship. Fourth, many attempt to rationalize their salvation, thinking that their good deeds outweigh their bad ones. But apart from God, we cannot do anything righteous (Pss. 14:1–3; 53:1–3; Rom. 3:12).

It’s stunning in light of the thief on the cross. Who in just a span of a few moments, repented and believed on the Son of God... Jesus said to him ‘TODAY you will be with me in PARADISE.’ And to others, who were not thieves in their day... but on paper had done everything right.. “I never knew you.”

There is no contradiction. Wholehearted-purifying faith (Acts 15:9) is what saves, being counted for righteous, (Rm. 4:5) - versus actually becoming good enough to enter Heaven as per RC theology - but which salvific faith effects obedience by the Spirit, with works of sacrificial love, and which is what the so-called "good thief" (the contrite criminal) possessed by God's grace.

Thus while salvation is obtained by faith, souls are judged by works as to whether they salvifically believed, or what kind of faith they had.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:7-10)

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

In contrast to which is those whose belief is not of the whole heart in the risen Divine Lord Jesus to save the damned and destitute sinner on His expense and credit, by His sinless shed blood, but do works yet which are not the effects of regeneration, but are motivated by desire to merit Heaven, and or the glory of men, and such may even have supernatural abilities.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:3-4)

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)

Then there are the Scriptures that warn believers as believers against having an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, drawing back unto perdition, back into bondage, making Christ of no effect, to no profit, falling from grace, etc., (Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 10:38,39; Galatians 5:1-5) thus forfeiting what faith appropriated .

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.