Are you a Christian ?

[revbrad]

Matthew 7

13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 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?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

[B-A-C]

Saying you believe in Jesus is nice. It is a requirement to get to heaven. ( John 14:6; Acts 4:12; ) But it's not all that is required.
If you're not bearing fruit, into the fire you go. ( Matt 7:19; )
If you're not loving your neighbor, into the fire you go. ( Matt 5:22; )
If you are a practicing homosexual, or adulterer you aren't going to heaven. ( Rom 1:27-32; 1 Cor 6:9; )
If you aren't using your time and talents to further the kingdom of God ( Matt 25:14-30 ); Guess where you end up? Matt 25:30; )

Many churches believe God is love, Jesus loves us, all you have to do is believe in him. They are in for a rude awakening. (Matt 7:22-23; )
The simple fact is God doesn't love everyone and everything. ( Mal 1:3; Rom 9:13; Prov 6:16-19; )
In fact some things are an abomination to him. ( Lev 18:22; Deut 22:5; Deut 27:15; Prov 6:16; etc... ) King James lists at least 40 things that are an abomination to God.
If we aren't practicing the things Jesus did, guess where you end up? ( Matt 25:31-46; )

I feel like Jeremiah or Elijah here, preaching nothing but doom and fire and brimstone. But the fact is, most people aren't going to make it to heaven. ( Matt 7:13-14; )
Even many people who think they are Christians won't make it. ( Matt 7:22-23; )

Don't get me wrong. God does love the world. ( John 3:16; ) and it's His desire that we all become saved. ( 2 Pet 3:9; )
Jesus loves sinners so much that he died for them. ( Rom 5:8; )
There is mercy, there is grace, there is forgiveness. Yes there is all these things for believers who repent and live for Christ. But what does living for Christ mean?
Simply saying we believe in him? Demons believe in him. (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; Jas 2:19; )
God loves the lost, Jesus loves sinners and Christians who follow him and his teachings. ( John 14:15; John 14:21; John 15:10; 1 Jn 5:3; )
But he does not love hypocrites. Anyone saying they believe in God and doesn't show love to others is a hypocrite. ( 1 Jn 3:10; 1 Jn 4:20; )
Anyone who tries to fool people by looking righteous and Godly on the outside, but isn't practicing these things in their heart is a hypocrite.

Matt 23:23; "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
Matt 23:24; "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
Matt 23:25; "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
Matt 23:26; "You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.
Matt 23:27; "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.
Matt 23:28; "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Jesus called these people, vipers, snakes, sons of hell. ( Matt 23:15; ) He asked them how they will escape hell. ( Matt 23:33; )

 

[paganmystic]

AWESOME BAC

I see you have not been slack in my absence. LOL .
The Gospel (this being the 1st-4 books of the NT), gives full direction on how we have to believe and act and live to be in his shoes. We have to be on that path first before we can lead others. We, those whose belief is sincere and practiced in life know this because of Jesus' own testimony,
*Matt 12:49-50 Jesus made it clear and there is no middle ground on this it HAS TO BE a part of our life before we share it
*Matt 5:15-20 Teaching About the Law pay particular attention to vs 19-20. Its in the Gospel for a reason it pertains to ALL who choose to follow Jesus.
This is supported also by Matt 12:33-37 Your Life Shows What You Are and is also defined in Luke 6:43-45 So the responsiblity is on each of us, that's it.

The Gospel it the only true and accurrate lifestyle guide we have. With the Letters of the Apostles our guide to effectives witnessing, witnessing to others about how our life, which has attracted you is made complete with Jesus in it. NOT repent or die, although that is a part of it it is not the selling points... they become the obvious consequence.

 

[amadeus2]

We certainly cannot recognize the followers of Jesus because the label of Christian is attached to them by written or spoke word, can we? Only by their fruits can they be known. The devils, who are way off on the other side recognize them and, of course, so do other real followers of Jesus. It is the lukewarm ones that cannot tell up from down, right from wrong, white from black, or good from evil. A real follower cannot be recognized because he preacher's collar or even because stands he behind a pulpit at service times.

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." Matt 13:15-16

Are your eyes and ears included? Are mine? Or... are we among those who have become so lukewarm that God will have to spit us out of His mouth? God help us all!

 

[Tommy061]

Good post most who profess Christ today honor Him ith their lips, but their heart is far from Him, they love their fun and games, and have never come to a true saving faith!
The Good Shepherd!
1Pe 2:25 For you were as sheep going astray, but now you are turned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
We were all once going astray, following the god of this age, and all the false ways coming out of the church system today.
But now we have turned to the shepherd (Jesus Christ) who is the overseer of our souls, which comes from an obedient faith and strong commitment to stay on the narrow road that leads to life.
Our great shepherd came to do many wonderful and powerful things for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness or simply do what is right, by obeying His word, and walking a pure and upright life in the power of the spirit!
But this great privilege God has given to the truly repented soul, to follow the great shepherd and overseer of our souls, came with a very high price, that Jesus paid on our behalf, and offered Himself as a spotless, and unblemished sin offering, to take away the sins of the world, and cleanse and purge our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9-14.
Now many think they are right with God, and following Jesus on the narrow road, and think they are IN Christ, but have never crucified their flesh with Christ in repentance as commanded, and have never touched the blood of Christ by pleading for mercy before the mercy seat of God, they came into the kingdom still defiled, accepting the provision that Jesus took their place, and also their wrath on the cross for them.
But in reality nothing happened, except maybe a few tears shed, and a willingness to not disobey God in the future that soon becomes a broken promise as they are still carnal sold under sin, and cannot figure out why they are still falling in and out of vile sins and rebellion to God!
Psa 23:3 He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Has your soul been restored? Have you come to the Lord on His terms to get your soul restored? If not then the path of righteousness will be difficult to find, and His great and Holy name will be mocked as you try and follow Him in your flesh, apart from the spirit, and be led away from the good shepherd into the hands of the wolves desperately waiting for more gullible souls they can devour with their great swelling words of emptiness, promising you liberty, while you are still a slave to sin, and your carnal ways!
Tommy

 

[Chad]

Excellent thread @rizen1

Also great post @B-A-C

We also need to keep something in mind: every believer is at a different stage of spiritual growth and understanding of Scripture. Lets pray but not judge.

 

[Tommy061]

Chad,

Yes, but it depends what do you mean by different stages, its not about sinning less and less, such as less fornication, lying, cheating and stealing, or less porn, but IF you have truly crucified your flesh with Christ then the vile sins stop(repentance)2 Cor 7-10-11, then you can now grow in grace, wisdom, and love for His truth, cleansed and pure of mind and heart to receive with meekness the implanted word of God! See James 1-21-22! Not rebelling against God less and less...