“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 in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'” (Matt. 7:22-23 NIV)
Fake Christians Who Have Been Fooled
Imagine believing you were saved, only to hear Jesus say on Judgment Day that you were not saved because He never knew you. That would be a shocking revelation! According to Jesus, many will hear those words.
Consider this
They may have sincerely believed they were Christians because they faithfully attended church, participated in religious activities such as baptism, attended a religious school, held positions in the church, or even served as deacons or pastors. However, none of that matters if they were merely religious; being religious is simply not enough!
Being Religious vs. Being Born Again
There are countless religious people in the world, and it can be confusing to differentiate among them. In fact, trying to do so could be a waste of time. There is a significant difference between being “religious” and being “born again.” As someone once put it: “Religion” is what man does to reach God, but “Jesus” is what God did to reach man. Jesus expressed it clearly in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In John 3:3, He said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” In other words, there is only one way to God, and that is through faith in Jesus.
Be Wise and Careful
While you don’t want to go around judging others, it is essential to exercise caution and good sense. The Bible reminds us that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” A true Christian must have a changed heart.
What the Bible says about fake Christians
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matt. 15:8)
• They follow man made rules - “And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.” (Isa. 29:13)
• They hate other believers - “Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark.” (1 John 2:9)
• They are detestable and disobedient - “They claim to know God, but they deny him by what they do. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit to do anything good.” (Titus 1:16)
• They disobey God’s commands - “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.” (1 John 2:4)
• They practice sin - “The person who practices sin belongs to the evil one, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason that the Son of God was revealed was to destroy what the Devil has been doing. No one who has been born from God practices sin, because God’s seed abides in him. Indeed, he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born from God. This is how God’s children and the Devil’s children are distinguished. No person who fails to practice righteousness and to love his brother is from God.” (1 John 3:8-10)
• They do what is evil - “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 1:11)
• They don’t obey what God says - “Why do you call me Lord but don’t do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)
• They produce bad fruits – “You will recognize them by their fruits…” (Matt. 7:16)
Therefore, make sure you are truly saved
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)
HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST
1. RECOGNIZE GOD’S PLAN—PEACE AND LIFE God loves you and wants you to experience His peace and life. The BIBLE says ... “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
2. REALIZE OUR PROBLEM—SEPARATION FROM GOD People choose to disobey God and go their own way. This results in separation from God. The BIBLE says ... “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23, NKJV
3. RESPOND TO GOD’S REMEDY—THE CROSS God sent His Son to bridge the gap. Christ did this by paying the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. The BIBLE says ... “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
4. RECEIVE CHRIST—AS LORD AND SAVIOR You cross the bridge into God’s family when you prayerfully ask Christ to come into your life. The BIBLE says ... “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12
Admit your need (I am a sinner).
Be willing to turn from your sins, and ask God to forgive you (repent).
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit (receive Christ as Lord and Savior).
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, amen
Note:
If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please let us know so that we can rejoice with you and then we will continue to lift you up in prayer.