Michael continues that false prophets teach primarily for their own ungodly gain. They con and scam religious people who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness. They also teach for their own prestige and for the honor and praise of others. They preach their own slant on the interpretation of the Word by twisting the truth to their own ends. The Apostle Paul warned true believers, "beware of the dogs, beware of the false prophets. By their fruit you will know them." Even though they claim to have done mighty works in the Lord’s name, they don't realize that a works-based merit system is contrary to the true word of God. The real question is not "do you know Jesus?" The real question is, "Does Jesus know you." To the false prophets Jesus will say, "I never knew you." From the ultimate perspective, the real question is not whether others are saved, but rather, "are you yourself saved?" When God reveals the heart of a true man and woman of God, then we who have been “born again” of God's Spirit can be "yoked together with likeminded believers."
True believers bless those who persecute them, knowing the reality of Hell. They gladly go the second mile to serve others from a heart of the love of God that they may come to a “saving” knowledge of Jesus Christ. American Evangelist Billy Graham said that most Christians in America are “American Christians” and not “Christian Americans”. They are citizens of America first, and citizens of Heaven second. True believing Christians represent heaven (as Ambassadors of Christ in Heaven), the country of their true citizenship. For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ and him crucified. Reconciliation is only at the foot of the cross where Jesus paid our debt of sin. For He who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Repentance is the prerequisite for salvation. The Bible says that the human heart is deceitful above all things. Repentance is to turn from myself and unto the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a 180 degree turn. I have found the enemy and he is me. Jesus Christ is the One who rescues us from our insidious preoccupation with self.
In the fourth response category are those of us who have accepted the gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. These are Christians who have confessed that Jesus is Lord and have believed that God has raised Him from the dead; having the dedication, devotion and desire to be a true disciple (student/follower) all the days of their life. We who have been “born again” (transformed from the inside out) of God's Spirit, knowing whom we have believed and are persuaded that He is able to keep that (spiritual deposit) which he's committed unto us against that day of righteous judgement. Those who are “truly saved” may have been in categories one through three, but have finally come to God's throne of grace with a contrite heart of meekness and humility. Where sin abounded, grace has abounded all the more. As the Apostle Paul said, "For I was crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me."
May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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