WHEN YOU KNOCK ON HEAVENS GATE WILL CHRIST OPEN IT FOR YOU?
By Bibleman
“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.†(Lk. 13:24)
It is very important that we conduct a regular and personal examination of ourselves by the Word of God. The Bible says that there is only one true faith to believe in and to live by. Are you striving to enter in at the strait gate or are you content to be on a broad path that leads to destruction? The Bible talks about some of those broad paths or types of faith that a professing Christian walks in but that do not lead to the strait gate but only to the gates of hell (Mt. 7:13,14). Many professing Christians, the Bible says, will knock on the gate to heaven asking the Lord to open it for them but He will not (Lk. 13:25). They will find out at that day that they were merely servants of sin who had no abiding relationship with Christ (Mt. 7:21-23; Lk. 13:25-27). Even many born again Christians today are walking on avenues of sin. The strait and narrow path is not an easy path to follow. It has many obstacles in its path that the Christian must overcome. Those obstacles that hinder you, block your path, and make your journey difficult, are from the devil and they must be overcome as you faithfully and arduously continue towards heavens gate. A true saving faith in Christ is a faith that: believes and obeys the truth, keeps the commandments of God, is fruitful in good works, is transforming and sanctifying, is surrendered to the Lordship and will of God in all things, applies the word of God to everyday situations, is a code for righteous and holy conduct, and is a way of life that pleases and honors God. The Bible talks about many who believe in Christ yet their faith is not sufficient to get them to heaven. Perhaps they made a decision for Christ but have failed to live a righteous life or obey the gospel. In this study we will examine from the Bible the difference between having a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ or a faith that is lacking or that is completely unacceptable to God. Faith in this study is defined as the various lifestyles of professing Christians. Unfortunately, there are many today who claim to be saved, yet at the last day they will be turned away from the gates of heaven because they had no saving faith in Christ.
A REPROBATE FAITH
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.†(2 Cor. 13:5)
A reprobate is someone who claims to be a Christian yet lives like an unsaved person. They may say that they are saved but their lifestyle is completely out of the will of God. Concerning a reprobate the Bible says: “They profess to know God, but in works deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate†(Tit. 1:16). In 2 Timothy, chapter 3, a reprobate is described as someone who has a form of godliness but is unholy, disobedient, covetous, and one who loves worldly pleasures more than God. Those that have a reprobate faith have a defiled mind and heart. They cannot please God because they resist the truth, walk in darkness, and bring forth no good fruit (Rom. 1:18-32). Those who persist in their unrighteous and disobedient ways will receive the judgment of God which may include indignation, tribulation, anguish and death (Rom. 1:32; 2:8,9; Col. 3:5,6). The kind of lifestyles that reprobates live will certainly send them to hell if they do not repent (1 Cor. 6:9,10). The Bible says that a reprobate must repent and deny their ungodly way of life, forsake their love for worldly things and believe in the truth of the gospel. A Christian is to live soberly, righteously and godly in this world (Tit.. 2:12).
A COUNTERFEIT FAITH
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if we receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted…†(2 Cor. 11:4)
If you believe in or accept another gospel or another Jesus you have been beguiled by the enemy of your soul. Only the true gospel and the true Jesus can save. The devil has many counterfeit gospels he uses to trap people. His fake ministers and deceitful workers may appear to be true ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Believing in something that is not true or right is like having a vain or worthless faith (1 Cor. 15:14-17). Avoid listening to false teachers and check every doctrine you hear with the word of God to see if it is true or not (Acts 17:11). If it doesn’t conform to the teachings of Christ and the truth of the Bible and its doctrines of holiness, you must get out of it (2 Cor. 6:17; 1 Tim. 6:3-5; Rev. 18:4). In the last days the Bible tells us that many will turn away from the true faith and give heed to seducing spirits, doctrines of devils, and ear-tickling fables (1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Tim. 4:3,4). A massive falling away from the true faith will occur just prior to the arrival of the antichrist (2 Thes. 1:3). Our faith must be fully in Christ alone and the true doctrines of the Bible and not in Mary, dead saints, religious works, or false doctrines (1 Tim. 2:5). Jesus said to beware of false gospels and false prophets because they only lead you onto a path of destruction (Matt. 7:13-20). A departure from the true faith to accept the sugar-coated lies of the enemy will only set you on a path leading to destruction and damnation (2 Thes. 2:10-12). Turn from the counterfeits and receive the love of the truth and choose the path of sanctification and walk in the righteousness of Christ (2 Thes. 2:10-17). Salvation is not found in false doctrines or religions but only in a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 4:10-16; 1 Jn. 1:7).
A MATERIALISTIC FAITH
“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.†(1 Tim. 6:10)
There are many today in the church that believe and teach that the wealth and riches one accumulates is a sign that they are godly people. We live in a church era that places high values on material wealth yet is virtually bankrupt spiritually (Rev. 3:14-18). Material riches, however, can be a great hindrance to the one who wants to follow Christ. The rich young man who claimed he kept the commandments found that his material wealth was an idol that he was unwilling to give up to follow Christ (Mt. 19:16-22). Few rich men can be saved because they choose their material wealth over Christ. One cannot serve both God and material wealth because where your treasure is there your heart is also. For this reason the Lord gave a commandment for us not to store up wealth and material riches in this life (Mt. 6:19-24). A selfish and covetous lifestyle does not secure a place in heaven for your soul as the very successful rich man in Luke found out (Lk. 12:15-21). As citizens of heaven we should be storing up wealth in heaven by our good deeds done here for others rather than storing up material wealth on this earth for ourselves (Mt. 6:20). Those who are rich must be very active in helping others in need and never trust in their riches but in the one true God (1 Tim. 17-19). We are to be content when our needs are supplied by God for there are many harmful snares and traps that destroy the souls of them that want to be rich (1 Tim. 6:8,9). If we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness the Lord promises to provide for us the things that we have need of according to His will (Mt. 6:31-34). Christians are commanded to separate from those who have the wrong views about wealth and prosperity and flee away from such teachings and embrace the ways of true godliness and righteousness. By doing this the Christian will be able to avoid the materialistic trap of the enemy by fighting the good fight of faith where he can lay hold of eternal life (1 Tim. 6:5-12).
AN INSECURE FAITH
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.†(Jn. 12:42,43)
Those who have an insecure faith are those who are ashamed of the gospel. They love the praises of men more than the praise of God. These people claim to believe in Christ but are too ashamed to admit their faith. They are fearful of receiving ridicule and persecution by their friends and family for being a Christian. This kind of faith is not pleasing to God for it denies Christ before men. This kind of faith is weak and shallow. People with this kind of faith seek recognition from men rather than living a life that honors Christ before others. Those who have a Christ-denying kind of faith will also be denied entrance into heaven by Christ himself (Lk. 12:8,9). If you are a Christian you should never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ “for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth†(Rom. 1:16).
A DIVIDED FAITH
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.†(2 Cor. 6:14-17)
Are your loyalties divided between God and something else? Belial means the things of Satan. The things of Satan are wicked, worldly, idolatrous, unprofitable, and evil to a Christian and he should have no part in them. Today there are many people including church pastors that are both Christians and Masons. Can you serve God and Freemasonry at the same time (Josh. 24:15,16,20)? How about God and mammon (Mt. 6:24)? Can you be a Protestant and a Catholic at the same time? Can you serve Christ and Satan at the same time? Can a Christian love God as well as the world and the things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15)? Absolutely not! You have to make a decision as to who you want to serve (Josh. 24:15). There are Christians who attend séances, practice yoga, read horoscopes, take part in secret rituals, go to night clubs, play slot machines at the casinos, and who have fellowships with those who walk in darkness. Christians are to separate themselves from evil and darkness and rebuke other Christians who stray onto a wrong path (1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2). We are to avoid all the things that are of the devil and remain faithful to God (1 Thes. 5:22; 1 Jn. 3:10). The Lord is calling those who have a divided faith to repent and come clean (Josh. 24:23). If Christians do not separate themselves from the things of Satan they commit spiritual adultery being unfaithful to God. As the Lord divorced Himself for a time from ancient Israel because of her spiritual adulteries so also he will do to those today who commit adultery against Him (Jer. 3:8,20; Rev. 3:5). If you have a divided faith you must come out of Babylon and forsake the things of Belial. If you don’t the Lord will divorce Himself from you and you will become subject to curses and hardships (Josh. 24:20). If you become faithful to the Lord alone He will revoke His bill of divorcement that he has against you for your unfaithfulness to Him and he will forgive you, heal you, and receive you back!
AN UNROOTED FAITH
“But he that receiveth the seed into stoney places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended†(Matt. 13:20,21)
Those who have a shallow, un-rooted faith in Christ are those who eagerly and gladly receive the word of God but when trials and persecutions come they are offended by them. These are very immature in the faith and if not careful will turn away from the Lord when things get a little rough. We must be careful to never allow any situation, trial or circumstance to cause us to turn away from the Lord and go back to a life of sin. Trials should cause us to get on our knees and seek the Lord even more rather than turn from him for He is the one who can bring us out of them. The Lord is a strong tower and refuge for those who trust in him (Ps. 9:9; 37:39; Nah. 1:7). Every true Christian is subject to many trials and troubles but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Ps. 34:19). God cares for his people and He will help those who place their trust in Him and walk uprightly (Ps. 46:1,2; 86:11,12; 1 Pet. 5:7). Don’t allow the devil to steal God’s word from your heart. Avoid any false teachers, false doctrines, or worldly philosophies that may uproot your faith in Christ (Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:16; 1 Pet. 5:8,9). Allow your faith to grow and be rooted and built up in Christ through the inspired word of God (Rom. 10:17; Col. 2:7; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Tit. 2:13; 2:2). Stand fast in the faith and never allow anything or anyone to uproot you and lead you down a wrong path (Mt. 13:21,22; 1 Cor. 16:13; Col. 1:23; 2 Tim. 1:13). In this life Christians will face persecution and troubles from evil men but those who endure in the faith unto the end will be saved (Matt. 10:22; Acts 14:22).
CARNAL FAITH
“For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men.†(1 Cor. 3:3)
If Paul knew your spiritual condition, today, would he say you also were carnal? A carnal Christian is one who professes belief in Christ yet walks like an unregenerated person who does not have the Holy Spirit. A carnal Christian walks to please his sinful desires and pleasures without regard to God’s moral and spiritual laws (Rom. 8:7) Such a life lived by professing Christians is unacceptable to God (Rom. 8:8). The carnal, worldly-minded path only leads to death and destruction (Rom. 8:6). Many Christians who are immature in the faith have such a walk because they have not been coached or counseled in the right way. Yet others avoid the truth by listening to teachers who have itchy ears only feeding them what they want to hear (2 Tim. 4:1-4). Paul knew what it was like to be a carnal believer. Inwardly he himself delighted in the law of God but his old fleshly desires brought him into captivity to the law of sin (Rom. 7:22,23). The sin nature has to be conquered because it is enmity against God and does not want to abide in righteousness. The only solution is a heart and life that is regenerated by the Spirit of God. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ is the only thing that can set us free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1-4). The Spirit-filled life enables us to mortify our fleshly desires and walk in the ways of righteousness (Rom. 8:4, 13). Any who have not the Spirit of Christ in them are not true Christians but are yet carnal and under the power of the old sin nature (Rom. 8:8-14). The old sin nature is to be crucified and buried with Christ when we are baptized into Him. Then we are to rise up in Christ a new person who is freed from the old ways of sin and who now walks according to the will of God (Rom. 6:1-18). Becoming freed from our former life of sin we are to now walk in righteousness bearing the fruits of holiness (Rom. 6:18-23). As Christians we are not to walk in a way that is immoral, immodest or unchaste. We are to surrender our hearts and lives to the Lordship of Christ and strive to be conformed to His image (Rom. 13:14).
AN EMPTY AND FOOLISH FAITH
“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.†(Mt. 25:10-13)
The parable of the ten virgins shows us the difference between those Christians who are ready to meet Christ and those who are not. There are many important lessons that we can learn from this parable of wisdom. First, you cannot expect others to help you find your way back to Christ at the last moment (Mt. 25:9). As a Christian believer you need to be ready to meet Christ at any time. If you waste the opportunities given to you to prepare your soul for eternity until its too late the gate of heaven will not open for you to enter (Mt. 25:10,11). Secondly, you need to keep watch and guard your heart against the cares of this world (Lk. 21:34). If you get entangled with the affairs of this world when your invitation comes to the marriage banquet you will not have time to get ready. If you do not have on your wedding garment which is the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness you will not be welcome at the marriage banquet in heaven (Isa. 61:10; Mt. 22:12). Is your lamp full of saving faith that ignites a passion in your soul to shine brightly or is your lamp empty? Is all the darkness expelled from your life as you walk in the light of Christ? Are you allowing the light of Christ to burn brightly within you to expel the darkness around you? The five foolish virgins were walking in darkness and unprepared to meet Christ. As a result they were forever locked out of heaven (Mt. 25:10-13). A foolish Christian the Bible says is one who is void of spiritual understanding, sound judgment, and moral discretion. Those who profess to believe in Christ should never walk in a foolish way that is sinful, scandalous, dishonoring, imprudent, slanderous, malicious, offensive and immoral (Prov. 12:23; 15:2,14; 24:7-9). The foolish way is a self-seeking way that serves ones own fleshly lusts and worldly pleasures (Tit. 3:3; 1 Tim. 6:9; 1 Pet. 2:15,16). A foolish person is more interested in telling jokes and laughing than having a sincere and penitent walk with God (Ecc. 7:4; Eph. 5:4). Those who have no oil in their lamps are not God-fearing people but are those who disregard the wisdom and godly instruction that comes from God’s word (Prov. 1:7). Rather than placing their trust in the Lord they trust in the perverted ways of their own heart (Prov. 12:15; 28:26). If your lamp is empty wake up now and rise up from your darkened way of life through repentance and Christ will give you light (Eph. 5:14). If you want your lamp to be full of oil then you need to walk circumspectly and be wise in redeeming your time. Keep your soul vigilant, watchful and ready to meet the bridegroom (Eph. 5:15,16). Guard your heart against evil desires and the sinful pleasures of this world. Do not live in a way that is unwise and foolish but rather understand what the will of the Lord is and how to walk in the light (Eph. 5:17; 1 Jn. 1:5-7). Do not waste any more of the time you need to prepare for the everlasting marriage banquet in heaven. When Christ gives his heavenly wedding invitation will you be ready to go? Will you have oil in your lamp and the right wedding garments on? Will the door to the heavenly wedding banquet be opened for you or remain locked (Mt. 25:1-13; 13:32-37)?
GOAT FAITH
“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:†(Mt. 25:32-41)
From this analogy of scripture it is clear that the goats have absolutely no saving faith. The sheep are the only ones in this group that have saving faith. As we read through the story we find that the sheep are the righteous Christians who are doing good works and helping those in need. The goats are those who claim to know Christ but have not done any good deeds to prove that they are genuine. According to the dictionary a goatish person is one who is carnal, lustful, immodest, unprincipled, stubborn, self-willed, impure, promiscuous, lawless, and immoral having a “license to sin†mentality. A sheepish person, on the other hand, is one who is moral, pure, meek, modest, humble, chaste, docile, harmless, law-abiding, principled, obedient, and good-natured. Sheep Christians the Bible says are those that hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and they will not follow another (Jn. 10:1-16). As born again believers we are to walk on a different path than we did when we were living in sin and unsaved. The sinful desires we once had are to be abandoned and the righteous way of life that is pleasing to God is to be taken up (Rom. Chap. 6). There are many today who call themselves Christians but they live the way they want to rather than to please the Lord. Some feel they can do that because their priest will forgive them of all their sins each week. Others believe that since they are saved it doesn’t matter how they live because they cannot lose their salvation. Christians who live life the way they want to without regard to God’s holy laws and principles for right conduct will find out one day that they were not on the path that leads to eternal life. The Lord will separate the sheep from the goats at the last day. A goat is a stubborn, rebellious, self-willed, and disobedient animal that never seems to do right or be able to please its owner. At the end of the age the angels will gather up all that offend and do iniquity and cast them into a furnace of fire (Mt. 41,42; Rom. 2:8,9). Only the righteous who keep the commandments of God will have right to the tree of life and be able to enter into the gates of the Holy City(Mt. 13:43; 1 Jn. 3:3-10; Rev. 22:11-15).
UNHOLY CHARISMATIC FAITH
“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 I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity†(Matt. 7:22,23).
Here is a very large group of Charismatic ministers and people who claim to know the Lord and seem to have done many wonderful works in His name yet the Lord calls them workers of iniquity. Good works separated from holiness cannot get us into heaven. Such are those who appear to be righteous and do good works but live a life that is disobedient and sinful. Our heart must be right before God. Many popular Charismatic ministers today may seem to do wonderful works but their real motivation is to be rich and popular. Those with this kind of ministry and way of life will be rejected by Christ at the last day. God demands that His people be obedient to His word and walk in holiness. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian will be saved…only those that do the will of God (Mt. 7:21).
AN EASY BELIEVISM FAITH
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.†(Rom. 6:1-4)
There are many today who have accepted Christ as their Savior but not as their Lord. They believe that all that is required of them is to accept Christ and they cannot ever lose their salvation. They use grace like a license that permits them to go on in the ways of sin. Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christ saves people in their sins. This type of faith only produces carnal Christians who have never been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and who have no true commitment to Christ. They believe that the righteousness of Christ has been automatically imputed to them and there is no need for obedience or holiness. They do not walk on that strait and narrow path that leads to life. They do not conform themselves to the image of Christ. They seem to have no desire to please God or seek His will for their life. Because they have not submitted to the Lordship of Christ they have never truly repented of all their sins. The Lord even said of such “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say (Lk. 6:46)?†The Lord said that those who have an “Easy Believism†kind of faith is like a man who builds his house upon sand and when the storms come the house will fall and the devastation will be great (Lk. 6:49). If you want to avoid disaster and destruction you must build upon a solid foundation. Let your faith become rooted deep and laid upon solid rock. The only way you can do this is to follow and obey Christ who is the Rock (Lk.6:47,48; 1 Cor. 10:4). Repent and surrender your life to the Lordship of Christ and become anchored in the Rock that can save!
AN UNPROFITABLE FAITH
“And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.†(Mt. 25:30)
In this parable our Lord is describing the difference between those Christians who are faithful stewards of the gifts and resources that He has given to them and those who are not faithful stewards. We know that these servants were all Christians because the parable starts off describing the talents that the Lord has given to three servants that he has called (Mt. 25:14). The first two servants have used their talents wisely and have been faithful with that which was entrusted to them by the Lord. The Lord tells them that he is pleased with them because of their faithfulness and that he will reward them by giving them more talents and making them ruler over many things. Not only will they be made ruler over many other things but they are welcomed to enter into the joy and presence of the Lord (Mt. 25:14-23)! The third servant, however, that had been given one talent did not do anything with his talent. Instead of being a good and faithful steward of what God had given to him he simply hid his talent and did not use it to glorify God. The Lord called him a wicked, slothful, and unprofitable servant. Because the unfaithful steward did nothing with what the Lord had given to him He took it away from him and cast him into outer darkness (Mt. 25:24-30). Are you doing anything to glorify God with the special gifts and resources He has bestowed upon you? Are you a good and faithful steward of everything that God has given to you? Do you use your special God-given gifts, abilities and resources to bless others and bring glory to God or is it hidden within you causing you to be unprofitable? Are you using the gifts, skills, and resources the Lord has blessed you with to win souls for Christ and increase His Kingdom assets and build treasure for yourself in heaven? If you don’t use what the Lord has given to you He can take it away from you and give it to someone who will be faithful and productive. Christians are to be the salt of the earth (those who have high moral standards and godly character) and they are to let their light shine before others that they may see their good works to the glory of God (Mt. 5:13-16). Those servants called and empowered by God who are neither faithful nor fruitful risk losing everything including their salvation (Mt. 24:42-51; 25:28-30).
A DEAD FAITH
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone…For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.†(Jam. 2:17,26)
Those who do no good deeds or produce any good fruit are those who have a dead faith. Such people claim to know Christ but show forth no actions to prove it. People who have a dead faith show little love or concern for others and they do not reach out to help those in need. Those who are truly born again seek to obey God and live a life that pleases Him. Faith without actions is like a devils faith…they believe but do not serve God. King Agrippa was one such man who believed but had no actions to prove he had any saving faith (Acts 26:27). Faith and works go together to accomplish the will of God. Our faith is shown to be effective in our lives when we are actively doing good deeds as Christians. Those who love the Lord show it by their actions. Their faith leads them to be rich in good works. Good deeds present in the life of a Christian is evidence that he has faith in Christ. If the love of God is present in the heart of a believer he will be moved to witness to the lost, lead believers into deeper levels of holiness and help relieve the needs of those around them. A Christian who is not fruitful in good works cannot glorify God. The Bible says that Christ will prune away all the dead and unproductive branches of the vine and cast them into the fire to be burned (Jn. 15:1-10).
A LUKEWARM FAITH
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.†(Rev. 3:15,16)
Many believers today have a lukewarm faith. They have one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom of God. They are not totally surrendered to the Lord or serve Him with all their heart. They may be good at times but worldly pleasures and personal idols will hinder their walk with God (Matt. 13:22). This kind of faith is unacceptable to God. The Lord wants His people to love and serve Him with all their heart (Matt. 22:37). Demas was just such person for he left his ministry with Paul because he loved the world (2 Tim. 4:10). The danger with this kind of faith is that you could end up loving the things of the world more than God and lose your soul (Mt. 19:20-22; Lk. 16:13). As Christians we are commanded not to love the world or the things of the world. The love of the Father is not in the hearts of those who love the things of the world. We cannot love both God and the things of the world. Jesus counsels those who have a lukewarm faith to repent and fully surrender their heart and life to him as Lord and Savior (Rev. 3:19,20). A choice has to be made…do you want to serve God and do His will…or will you forsake Him like Demas and the rich young man for the things of the world?
A WITHERED FAITH
“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them into the fire, and they are burned.†(Jn. 15:6)
When you make a decision to accept Christ as your Lord and Savior and are born again you become a branch that is attached to the true vine which is Christ (Jn. 15:1-5) It is God the Father who is the one who prunes the vine. The father cuts off all the branches that no longer bear fruit and purges the ones that need to bring forth more fruit. We abide in Christ when we obey His words and keep His commandments. When we obey Christ we show that we love Him and that we are fruitful disciples who glorify God. If we go and pursue our own interests and fail to study the word of God and live a life that pleases God we will become a branch that needs a lot of pruning and purging. Our sinful ways and rebelliousness will need to be purged out because they infect our spiritual health. Not only will we need to be purged of the leaven of unrighteousness but we will need to receive the life-giving sap and nourishment of the word of God that comes from the vine. If we fail to allow the Father to prune out the sin in our lives that infect us with sickness and fail to receive the abiding nourishment of the vine we will become a withered branch that is dying spiritually and no longer bearing fruit. A withered and dying branch is no longer useful to the vine but must be pruned off of the vine permanently and cast into the fire to be burned (Jn. 15:1-6). If your faith in Christ becomes withered you are in danger of being pruned from the body of Christ and cast into hell fire. If you want a saving faith you have to remain a healthy branch in the vine. Obedience to the word of God is what purifies and purges away the sins that make you a sickened and withered branch to the vine. Allow your life to be pruned by the word of God. Let go of all that would contaminate and pollute your soul before it withers and kills your life in Christ and tap into the spiritual life-giving sap of the vine that you may glorify God and bear much fruit for Christ.
A SAVING FAITH
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls…As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy for I am holy…Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. (1 Pet. 1:9,14,15,22,23)
According to the above verse our faith in God is not just something we believe intellectually but is our way of life. Our faith in Christ is what develops moral and spiritual values in us. The simple belief of the existence of God and of his character and doctrines is called speculative faith. Justifying or saving faith involves three important elements which are: [1. Believing in the existence, power and benevolence of a supreme being we call God and in His Son Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for us on the cross. 2. A changed life that is reborn through repentance and that is obedient and fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ 3. Placing your complete trust and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ.] If you have saving faith in Christ it should move you to be loyal and faithful to Him. It should move you to live an obedient and righteous way of life according to the instructions of the Bible. It should move you in a way that pleases and glorifies God. It should move you to want to be fruitful in doing good works that bless people and glorify God. It should move you to lay aside the sins that hinder your relationship with Christ. It should move you to have compassion towards those who are needy and a passion to win the lost for Christ. As Christian believers we have a duty and an obligation to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow man. Our covenant relationship with God requires us to be true and faithful to Him. According to the Bible if we do not remain true and faithful to God and obey Him we fall into sin and onto wrong paths that lead away from saving faith.
Obtaining salvation or saving faith is like finding the pearl of great price (Mt. 13:45,46)! Such a pearl is very hard and difficult to find. To find such a pearl the seeker must work hard in seeking for it and be willing to make personal sacrifices. The pearl seeker knows that the pearl of great price is more valuable than anything else in this world and he is willing to give up all he has to secure it. Yes to obtain such a treasure is going to cost you everything. The pearl seeker knows that once he finds the pearl of great price he has gained entrance into the kingdom of God becoming a citizen of heaven! Every pearl seeker must overcome the obstacles of his treasure hunt which are the world, the flesh, and the devil. These enemies do not want you to find the greatest treasure that God has to offer man. Are you willing to pay the price of what it is going to cost you to obtain the pearl of great price (Lk. 14:33)? Are you willing to forsake all you have like the Apostles did (Mt. 19:27)? Are you willing to count all things a loss to know Christ as Paul did (Phil. 3:8)? Are you willing take up your cross and be crucified to the world (Gal. 6:14; 1 Jn. 2:17)? Are you willing to crucify your old sin nature along with its ungodly passions, desires, and pleasures (Gal. 5:24)? Are you willing to lay aside your selfish ambitions to embrace the will of God (Mt. 7:21; Lk. 12:15-21; 1 Pet. 4:2? Are you willing to leave your home and family in order to inherit eternal life (Mt. 19:29)? Are you willing to sacrifice even your own life like Stephen and many other saints have already done (Acts 7:52-60)?
Is Christ your prophet, priest and King? Do you hunger and thirst for His righteousness and purity (Mt. 5:6; 1 Jn. 3:3)? Has Christ completely changed your heart and life (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23,24)? Do you fully and completely trust in the Lord (Mt. 15:22-28)? Have you put on the Lord Jesus Christ…do others see Christ-like attitudes in you such as love, patience, and forgiveness (Rom. 13:14)? Are you committed to love and serve Christ with all your heart and mind (Mt 22:37)? Do you walk in a worthy way before God and please Him by being active in doing good deeds and in being fruitful (Col. 1:10; Mt. 12:35; 13:8)? Do you have an obedient and abiding relationship with Christ (1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Jn. 1:6,7; 3:6-10; Jn. 15:1-12)? Are you bearing much good fruit for Christ and glorifying your Father in heaven (Jn. 15:1-8)? Have you turned from all your worldly idols and pleasures in true repentance to serve God wholeheartedly (1 Thes. 1:9)? Obedient acts of righteousness glorify God and honor Christ (Mt. 5:16). A true Christian is a good and faithful steward of all that God gives to him (Mt. 25:23). One who has a true saving faith places Christ Lord over every area of his life (Lk. 6:`46-49). His life will be characterized by love and fruitfulness (Mt. 13:23; 25:33-46). Christians seek to please God by their conduct and obedience to the gospel (Eph. 4:1; Rom. 6:13-18; Phil. 1:11). Turn to the word of God and perfect that which is lacking in your faith (1 Thes 3:10). If you are out of the will of God, repent and surrender your life to Christ…He is inviting you to come to Him so He can purify your heart and life and give you an inheritance in the kingdom of God (Acts 20:32; Rev. 3:20,21)! Until the time of your departure from this life fight the good fight and keep the true faith! Like the apostle Paul, all who keep the true faith will receive from Christ a crown of righteousness when He appears on the last day (2 Tim 4:6-8)!
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