I just started this day with prayer and a hot cup of Door County Chocolate Cherry Coffee. I have to run into work for a short time, so I need to get this written and off I will run.
Sometimes I watch people who are what we affectionately call "Wannabes". These are people who like to portray an image just to be accepted or recognized by a certain group of people. For instance Harley Davidson Motorcycle Riders will dress out in all of their Harley memorabilia and I very seldom see someone dressed in their gear without owning a Harley. They are proud of what they drive.
But then there are those who wear the big cowboy hats and talk like they have ridden the range, been on cattle drives and carried a six shooter for survival. Not all, but some of these folks talk cowboy and to say it nicely they are "all hat and have no cattle."
I know that cowboy hats are also a sign of country western music and I certainly do not want to offend those wearing cowboy hats, but you get the point. I have witnessed some folks who talk about "the war" but have never been in the military. They are phony as phony can be.
Unfortunately many churches have a lot of people who attend just to identify as a church member but really aren't Christians at all. They are Bible carrying, note taking, amen yelling, people who have never surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. They are all Bible and no heart. What you see on Sunday, is not what you would see in them on Monday. This isn't really their fault because in many instances they are led to believe that church membership is what gets you into heaven as a family member of Jesus. Churches have refrained from holding them accountable to the Gospel message because of a desire to not be confrontational. Here is the truth. You can carry 5 Bibles, and get baptized but unless, you are born again. /////////
John 3:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
You Must Be Born Again
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
John 14:6 New International Version (NIV)
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 7:21-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 “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. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Scripture is very clear on having the spiritual credentials to be a Christian, saved by grace.
Where do you stand, saved through and through or just a "wannabe"? You can change your ID card with a prayer.
Marty
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 7:21-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 “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. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.
Scripture is very clear on having the spiritual credentials to be a Christian, saved by grace.
Where do you stand, saved through and through or just a "wannabe"? You can change your ID card with a prayer.
Marty
No comments:
Post a Comment