True or False Convert?

[*Light*]

Hello Family of God,

"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Psalm 8:4) 

Quite a tiny world called Earth in a cosmos of near endless celestial bodies; and yet the Omnipresent Creator presents to the inhabitants of this infinitesimal world an Unfathomable Love which surpasses all comprehension of finite man. God is too often accused of being mean-spirited by unbelievers, and this is because they do NOT know Him who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek. 18:32; 33:11; Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 13:6). However, it would be an injustice on God's part if He were to allow unrepentant sinners entrance into His Eternal Kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:14; Rev. 22:15). I find it jaw-dropping how the unregenerate believe that they have the right to redefine objective moral values and turn it on its head (Isa. 5:20; Amos. 5:7; Jn. 3:19; Rom. 7:7; 13:1-7; 2 Tim. 4:3; 2 Pet. 2:1). They also fail to realize that it is God Himself who is the transcendent anchor point and author of morality.

"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. [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 7:21-23)

I want to begin this message by pressing the issue regarding the question, "what must I do to be saved?" I will also be outlining the basics of knowing with absolute certainty about your Salvation being secured, and what precedes it. Nothing can be of more importance than the fate of ones eternal soul, and everyone "professing" to be IN Christ needs to do a spiritual inventory of themselves to determine if they are indeed authentic Christians. Scripture states that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (2 Cor. 5:11; Heb. 3:12; 10:31). How so? 

God is the LIVING GOD (Grk. "zontos theou" [present participle] -- i.e., "The Life Giving Immortal and Eternal God"), and since God is Eternal, the consequences of rejecting Him and His Son are Eternal (2 Chron. 36:16; Isa. 5:24; Matt. 10:33; 12:36-37; Lk. 12:9; Jn. 3:36; 12:48). Furthermore, the Attributes of God are Immutable; and for this reason, His Perfect Righteousness and Retribution towards unrepentant sinners are Eternal and unchanging as well (cf. Num. 23:19; Ps. 102:25-27; Isa. 46:10; Mal. 3:6; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:17; 13:8; Jas. 1:17; et al.). The Word of God COMMANDS that all believers must examine themselves to be certain that they TRULY belong to the Family of God (cf. Job 13:23; Jer. 31:19; Hag. 1:5-7; 1 Cor. 11:27-31; 2 Cor. 13:5; Gal. 6:4). Why are those who "profess" Jesus Christ as their Lord rejected by the Lord Himself in The Day of Judgment? Why are these hypocrites denied entrance into the Kingdom of God and then cast into outer darkness? Here are some of the reasons why:

• 1). These false converts are guilty of lip-service.
• 2). They have performed counterfeit miracles, or were deceived into believing that their lying signs and wonders were authentic.
• 3). They were filled with dead mens bones and all hypocrisy.
• 4). They believed that they could "achieve" Salvation through their "good" works.
• 5). The Lord Jesus Christ NEVER had a Saving Relationship with these "self-proclaimed" men and women of God.

Edited February 26, 2019 by *Light*

[*Light*]

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, [hath everlasting life] (Grk. "echei zoen aionion" i.e., "the believer possesses Eternal Life at the moment of Saving Faith"), and shall NOT come into condemnation; but is [passed from death unto life] (Grk. "alla metabebeken ek tou thanatou eis ten zoen" [perfect indicative] -- i.e., "the believer has Salvation at the moment they believe from their heart, and can never fall into condemnation from that moment on")." (John 5:24)

The one who possesses Saving Faith is assured Eternal Life upon the moment they Truly believe the spoken words of the Son of God from their HEART. The words "is passed" is in the Perfect Tense, indicating that the Genuine Believer is Eternally Secure from the Wrath of God. This is an action that has been completed by the Believer once and for all, never having to be repeated again. A stark contrast between the absolute certainty of ones Salvation at the moment he/she believes [FROM THE HEART] the Gospel Message of the Son of God (e.g., "the penitent thief on the Cross to the right of Jesus"), and the exact opposite: which is a hardened heart of unbelief at the moment he/she rejects the Words of Jesus Christ, and His Father who sent Him. This type of unbelief is irrevocable. No human can determine who permanently believes or disbelieves the saving knowledge of the Gospel [FROM THEIR HEART], but the very man or woman who believes or not. The only exception is made by God alone who searches the deepest recesses within the heart of every being with a conscience.

"He that is unjust, let him [be unjust still]: and he which is filthy, let him [be filthy still]: and he that is righteous, let him [be righteous still]: and he that is holy, let him [be holy still]." (Revelation 22:11)

The above passage is not about the Judicial Hardening of sinners (cf. Gen. 50:20; Ex. 7:3; 9:12; Deut. 2:30; Matt. 23:37; Mk. 4:11-12; Rom. 11:8; Acts 2:23; 4:28), but the finality of the rebellious and unrepentant sinner who has crossed the rubicon. The action verbs: unjust, filthy, righteous and holy, are all in the aorist imperative; which means that those who are unjust, filthy, righteous and holy, will remain that way throughout all of Eternity. Their decisions can NEVER be reversed once they have chosen (in their heart) whether to repent or not. This final and decisive act on their part will seal their fate once they have fixed their hearts regarding whom they choose to follow: that is, God or Satan.

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not [is condemned already] (Grk. "ede kekritai" [perfect passive indicative] -- i.e., "the sinner is consigned to Eternal Fire at the very moment he/she believes NOT in their HEART the message of the Son of God"), because [he hath not believed] (Grk. "hoti me pepisteuken" [perfect indicative] -- i.e., "the sinner's heart is hardened to where his/her unbelief is irrevocable") in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

There are MANY who fail to fully realize why every individual on this planet deserves the Divine Judgment of Almighty God, and why there needs to be reconciliation between man and God (Jn. 3:18-19; 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Thess. 5:9; Tit. 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9). Many are those who "profess" to be Christian that have never been rightly taught why they needed to call upon the Lord to be Saved in the first place. Apostate "Christianity" is producing False converts at breakneck speed; and false undershepherds are compromising the Truth of Scripture to obviate the need for repentance (e.g., "homosexuality condoned, or being in lockstep with heretics"). Here are several reasons why MANY "nominal believers" have failed to understand the necessity for forgiveness and establishing peace with God:

What concerns me the most in today's Christendom is the number of Christians professing to be saved, and the reality of this is many are self-deceived as a result of false teachings and hirelings in the pulpit. When I deal with people claiming to be Christian and exhibit NO fruits of the Spirit, or the understanding of the things of the Spirit of God, this sets off red flags. I find myself evangelizing not to the lost, but to those who "profess" to be Christians and display NO EVIDENCE AT ALL of ever being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, or the results and characteristics that should follow Post-Conversion. There are even those who have personally written in their Bibles the Month, day, and year they supposedly got saved. The problem arises from a lack of knowledge concerning the Message of the Gospel. They claim to be saved because:

• 1). They repeated a rote prayer that their Pastor recited.
• 2). They became very emotional to the point of tears during an altar call.
• 3). They attend church every Sunday, or even several times per week.
• 4). They have an intellectual assent of the Scripture, but not saving faith.
• 5). They do "good" works.
• 6). They "keep" the commandments.
• 7). They prayed to God to save them from Eternal Punishment, and that's it.
• 8). They were baptized when they were a child.

Edited February 26, 2019 by *Light*

[*Light*]

Here is a short list of signs indicating a high probability that the one "professing" to be Christian is not saved:

• NO broken and contrite spirit.
• NO understanding of the seriousness of sin before the MOST Just and Holy God.
• NO desire to forsake and repent of their sins.
• NO fruit of the Spirit at all.
• NO evidence of good works.
• NO understanding regarding the things of the Spirit of God.
• Their prayers are NOT answered.
• A life completely devoid of faithful obedience to the Lord.
• NO hatred of sin.
• NO desire to please the Lord.
• An unbroken pattern of sinning accompanied by NO Victory over sin.
• Lacking Faith in God (most likely because they have never established a saving relationship with God to begin with).

Characteristics of a child of GOD:

• 1). Continual Obedience.
• 2). An increase of hatred towards sin, and an ever-growing sorrow and mourning for ones own sin when committed.
• 3). A Desire to Please the Lord.
• 4). Humility
• 5). Divine Love towards your brothers and sisters in Christ, and a love towards the lost and their need for Salvation.
• 6). A Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness and Holy Living.
• 7). Possessing an understanding concerning the things of the Spirit of God.
• 8). Answered prayers.
• 9). Confessing Jesus Christ in front of others about His Person and Divine Accomplishment.
• 10). Fruits of the Spirit (lit., "THE Fruit of the Spirit" -- i.e., "the nine inextricably linked characteristics as a cluster of one who has TRULY been born from above"; cf. Gal. 5:22-23).
• 11). Laying UP treasures in Heaven above.
• 12). Delighting in Serving the Lord as a Labor of Love.

Edited February 26, 2019 by *Light*

[*Light*]

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Mark 8:34)

The sheer number of self-deceived men and women who think they are saved is astounding, and it grieves my heart knowing that there will be MANY who will go away into Eternal Punishment as a result. Satan knows that his time is almost up, so he has sown tares among the wheat to lead others who seek to understand what it means to be a Christian so that they may fall into the pit together with them. The apostates in Christendom masquerade as prophets, apostles, and Pastors, who deceive others and are deceived themselves. This wicked generation seeks after external evidence of the miraculous due to the lack of faith in that which is unseen. Temporal blessings such as wealth, health, and even to be your own god seems to be the norm in apostate Christianity today (cf. Prov. 11:28; Eccles. 5:10; Matt. 6:19-21; 16:26; Mk. 4:18-19; Lk. 12:15; Acts 8:20; 2 Cor. 4:18; Col. 3:2; 1 Tim. 6:9-10,17; Heb. 13:5; Jas. 5:1-20; 1 Jn. 2:16). The devil is a counterfeiter, and he comes with all lying signs and wonders to deceive the non-elect. 

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

What made you decide to become a Christian? Is it to solve your life problems? To have your best life now? Sadly, it isn't what I can do for the Lord Jesus Christ, but what can God do for ME? This is completely antithetical to taking up ones Cross and to deny oneself; that is, to DIE to SELF. As the apostle Peter said, "Thy money perish with thee."

Professing to be in Christ and acting and living like the rest of the unbelieving world, or even worse; it is tantamount to a Judas Kiss. Such false converts display NO evidence of being born-again as they are completely devoid of any Divine Love, and mistreat those who are to be our mission field (i.e., the sexually immoral, thieves, etc.) with utter disdain and contempt. Such false converts expose themselves as hypocrites not knowing that they themselves were in the same category as the rest of the unbelieving world of sinners before they supposedly came to the Throne of Grace. 

You may want to ask yourself this question? Did you TRULY come before the Throne of Grace as one who was spiritually bankrupt? Did you approach the Eternal Throne of God stripped of all your pride and ego? (Lk. 9:23-24; 14:33; Jn. 3:30; 12:24; Rom. 6:8,11-14; 8:12-13; 12:1-2; Gal. 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; Eph. 4:22-23; Phil. 3:8; Col. 3:5; Tit. 2:12; 1 Pet. 4:1-2). Did you come to Him knowing that you are a wretched and depraved sinner who deserves the penalty of Eternal Punishment? If not, then don't tell me that you are a Christian, and it doesn't matter even if you claim to have been saved on such an such month or day. You will only be deceiving yourself! 

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" (Matthew 5:28-30)

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." (Matthew 23:27-28)

Repentance and Contrition must take first priority on everyone's bucket list; because the ramifications of an unrepentant heart will result in the worst type of torment and horror that one can possibly imagine. Those who sow to the flesh will reap a resurrected body of spiritual ruin and corruption at the Resurrection of the dead (e.g., "pornography, drunkenness, drug addiction, etc.). God shall Judge the secrets of all men and women by Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:16), and this body of spiritual ruin will have no restraints at all from evil; for such wickedness will be amplified in the body suited for dishonor, corruption, and decay. These permanent features of the body of everlasting corruption shall be retained for all of Eternity.

"He that [covereth his sins] shall not prosper: but whoso [confesseth and forsaketh them] shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

Had they have came before the Lord with a broken and contrite spirit, then they would NOW understand that lost sinners are also in need of forgiveness and repentance through the Grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. All I ever hear from these tares are hateful and spiteful speech such as, "these scumbags will rot in hell on a skewer as the the bovine excrement that they are. I hope they burn the hottest in the worse possible torment imaginable". So much for the "love" of Christ dwelling in these "Christians". Their pride and arrogance will only lead them to a greater damnation if not repented of such wickedness; for God resists the proud but gives Grace to the Humble (Ps. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; 29:23; Matt. 23:14; Jas. 4:6-7; 1 Pet. 5:5-6). The main reason why professing Christians cannot overcome sin in their lives is because they DO NOT possess the Holy Spirit.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)

In Closing:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and [he that humbleth] (Grk. "tapeinon" [present participle] -- i.e., "a lifestyle of humility") himself shall be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)

Those who attempt to establish their own righteousness are full of pride; and these are the ones who have the most sins hiding in their hearts, but God knows the hearts of all men and women better than they themselves know their own hearts. For those who are saved, it is the power of God at work in all Genuine Converts: because no one can achieve Victory over sin and immorality in their lives without the Imputed Righteousness of Christ (cf. Rom. 6:14,22; 8:13; 13:14; 1 Cor. 6:11; 15:57; 2 Cor. 5:17; 7:1; Gal. 5:16,24; Eph. 2:10; 5:18; Phil. 4:13; Heb. 4:16; 2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Jn. 3:6-10; 5:4).

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:11-14)

The Grace of God leads to a forsaking of ones lifestyle of sin and worldliness because of the Sacrificial Love demonstrated by God towards us first (1 Jn. 4;19). We Love God because He first Loved us, and because we Love God, we will keep His Commandments out of Gratitude for a debt that can never be repaid (Jn. 14:21). His Commandments are to live a godly life dominated and led by the Holy Spirit, and to reciprocate Divine Love towards God first and foremost. We are also commanded to give this greatest type of Love towards our fellow Christians in return; even the lost in anticipation that they may come to the knowledge of the Truth and be Saved (cf. Prov. 24:17; 25:21-22; Matt. 5:44-46; Lk. 6:27,35; Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 13:4-8; 1 Tim. 2:4; Jas. 2:1; 1 Pet. 3:9; 1 Jn. 4:7; Jude 1:16). This isn't Salvation by works, these are the results of someone who has TRULY been born-again.

[*Light*]

It pains me everyday to wake up early in the morning only to discover that there is a 30 minute segment devoted to the Oscars, and this is considered "Breaking News." I pity these actress and actresses who glory in their Academy "Awards" achievements as a result of having squandered countless hours, days, months and even years to see their "dreams" and lifelong pursuit of fame fulfilled; and their reward is a small idol which can neither hear or speak. It is no big surprise that one of Satan's ploys is to prime the pump of the film industry to distract people away from coming to the knowledge of the Truth, and ONLY this is what can set them free. 

"From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of [ETERNAL LIFE]. And [WE BELIEVE AND ARE SURE] that thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:66-69)

"And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:6-8)

God Bless!

[Jim_Alaska]

Light,

Thank you for posting this, it was very edifying. If I may I would like to suggest that if you have something such as this that takes multiple posts to complete that you consider making it a devotion and posting it in that section of this message board. It not only makes for easier reading, but also allows you to make one post out of it. Another reason is that once you post it in the general forums it gets moved down with time and eventually disappears from sight.

Here is the address for posting sermons and devotionals: https://onlinebaptist.com/blogs/

[mbkjpreacher]

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
(James 2:18-19 KJV)
 

Can we rightfully say that there are so many professing Christians but are not real Christians just because they believe in God intellectually and believe in the Savior yet do not have saving faith?  They just have faith like demons.