Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Michael continues: Jesus Christ paid our debt of sin at the cross, for those who have been saved, the everlasting way is the way of the heart of Christ in us the hope of glory.
There are four types of people who attend church. The first type is those who reject outright the gospel message of salvation. Today, the most popular religion in America is the "none religious." These people claim no particular religious conviction. There are many seemingly rational excuses for not accepting the salvation message of Christ the Redeemer. These excuses are summed up in John 3:19-20, “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”
The second category is those who attend church, but there is never really a, regeneration of the spirit, transformation of the heart and a true conversion experience in real relationship with Jesus Christ. These men and women may "walk the aisle" but never come to salvation.
The third category are those who think they're saved but they're really not. Jesus said, "not everyone who calls me lord, lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven." To them, it's not about the Lord, but about themselves. 2 Timothy 3 says, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves... Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." A paraphrase of an excerpt from "The Narrow Way" by William C. Nichols says, "The deceived religious man who outwardly practices the keeping of the law but does it for himself and not for God may have a great deal of knowledge of the Word of God, but he is deceived in his own heart. Outward professions of righteousness may be an outer garment of perfection but inwardly he serves himself and not the Lord Jesus Christ. His obedience is limited to his own comfort and pleasure...he applies the promises of God to himself but not the difficult and demanding passages of Scripture. He says ‘speak to us pleasant words.’ He is a spiritual sluggard and assures himself that his soul is secure."
Matthew 15:8‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
Let’s continue with the final part of Michael’s Messaage on “Blessed Assurance” in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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