Monday, July 7, 2014

Three Blind Mice

Matthew 7:22              Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’               


Three things are mentioned that may create a false sense of security?

Christians are not to rely on the right language, denomination or orthodoxy to provide for their salvation.  We are to remember that by simply calling Jesus Lord does not guarantee anything. When we trust our self-understanding, our doctrines of faith, our mechanics of worship and our application of His truth;  we have replaced His sacrifice with our own.

Be careful to not confuse zealous and fervent emotions for an intellectual and spiritual faith in God. There is an element of the self which will come out in some people. Faith based solely on an emotional response to scripture, is not saving faith. Do not confuse God’s truth with natural emotional responses. God’s Word, applied to us by the Holy Spirit enlightens the mind, changes the heart and calls into action our body in response. The emotions are last. 

Lastly, we are not to rely on words or actions which appear to be scriptural. A man may preach the true Gospel yet not fully understand nor accept them in his own heart and mind. He may be allowed by God to do miraculous deeds yet still not have the Gospel message imprinted in his heart. For God uses the foolish things of this world to reveal himself to mankind. Paul writes "some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodness...The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached." (Phil. 1:17-18)
 
Only when our faith is centered on Him, His Sonship and His sacrifice for our sins can we find trust and assurance in knowing our place will be with Him in heaven. 

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