Did Jesus care?

 

Jesus was on the cross next to two thieves, yet he only told one of them “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Imagine hanging on a cross near death, yet you hear the other person being told they would be with the Lord in paradise. Do you feel sorry for that thief? Jesus certainly did, since He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do,” (verse 34). That statement includes the second thief.

 

This article was sparked by a call I received this week. My mom was upset with the news that her sister’s husband died (my uncle Eric). I called my aunt Pat and expressed my condolences, but I found myself struggling with ways to offer comfort as I know the fate of those who do not care to follow the Lord – just as that thief.

 

Just as the Lord does not desire any to perish (II Pet. 3:9), we as His children should feel the same. That being said, many people will act like the harsh thief and refuse to turn to the Lord. Should we really feel sorry for someone who neglected such an opportunity? The answer is both yes and no.

 

It is terrible that anyone would choose the world’s broad way over the Lord’s narrow way. The unrepentant thief “got what was coming to him.” However, just because the faithful get to go to heaven does not mean they are getting what they deserve. No one deserves heaven. It was made possible by mercy and grace (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5). Even though we have loved ones that refuse to follow Jesus and leave this world unprepared, we still feel sorry for them.

 

My uncle went to Home Depot and bought some tile. He laid the second tile when he said he felt tired and needed to sit down. That was the last breath he took. We never know when we shall spend our last moments upon this earth. Let us do all we can to make sure we are prepared and have compassion on the lost. If you are not right with the Lord, take care of it immediately. Jesus does care! 

 

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Are you really a faithful Christian?

 

We should not be surprised when we hear people claim they are faithful Christians regardless of their personal conduct. In the four gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Jesus encountered many Pharisees and other religious people who claimed to have God’s approval. Like when Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

 

Jesus knew that they called Him Lord because they thought that would be enough. This is precisely what many religious people do today. They say, “I believe in Jesus Christ and have been baptized for the remission of my sins” but they do not worship God with His people, nor do they worship His way (Heb. 10:25; John 4:24).

 

In order to truly be a faithful Christian, one must walk in the light (I John 1:7). This does not mean we just walk around and say “God knows my heart.” If we are knowingly committing sin, God knows that our heart is not right (Acts 8:21). Just because we know that something is wrong does not mean we are automatically forgiven. As Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish,” (Luke 13:3).

 

James had something to add when he wrote, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin,” (James 4:17). Just as sin is held against us even if we know an activity is wrong, we will also be held accountable for the good works we knew we should do but did not. In both cases, God knows their heart. This just means that they need to repent and turn back to the Lord.

 

People have a knack for justifying not doing what the Lord demands. They tweak things to fit into what they personally want to do. This is nothing more than selfish living. To learn what Jesus thinks of that kind of thinking, just read Matthew 23. 

 

                                                                                           Chuck                                                                                     

Can I really write that?

 

Some people will disagree with the first article because they feel that Christians should not do the things listed and, if they do, these people were never Christians in the first place. Such circular thinking is absurd. Read the verses and notice how they were all addressed to Jesus’ followers (during His time on the earth) or Christians (after His death). However, let’s pursue this line a thought some more.

 

Christians are constantly being warned in the word of God to take heed lest they fall (I Cor. 10:12; Heb. 3:12). Why warn God’s people of something that cannot happen? If Christians are being warned of things, then they are obviously susceptible. We also have passages that tell us that Christian can and have fallen away (I Tim. 4:1; II Pet. 2:20-22). Even Jesus spoke of such with the parable of the sower in Matthew 13.

 

So what should Christian do to make sure they do not fall away? The apostle Paul told the saints at Corinth to examine themselves regularly to confirm that they are in the faith (II Cor. 13:5). We do that by looking into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). The word of the Lord is designed to instruct, correct and chastise (II Tim. 3:16-17).

 

Then what should a Christian do when he/she sees another Christian fall away? First, remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5. If you want to help a brother, make sure you do not have sin in your own life. Next, help them come back (James 5:19-20). This is the wrong time to say “it is not our business”. We are all obligated to look out for the spiritual wellbeing of our brothers and sisters.

 

The hardest thing about all of this is seeing someone who needs help but thinks they are fine. The first article points out many of those possible scenarios. People can think they are alive spiritually when they are actually dead (I Tim. 5:6).

 

Each of us should go back over the first article and make sure we have not fallen victim to self-deception. As we stated already – “Take heed lest you fall.”  If we think it cannot happen, it will!

                                                                               

        Chuck

You cannot be a faithful Christian without repenting 

 

“Christian” is one of those terms used so loosely today that we have people claiming to faithful Christians when they are anything but. This is not new. There were individuals in Sardis that called themselves something they were not (Rev. 3:1). The fact is, one cannot be a Christian and walk in sin. Repent means “to turn away from”. To help make things perfectly clear, a person is not a faithful Christian if they do any of these things:

 

1. Marry someone unlawfully (Matt. 14:4; 5:32; 19:9).

 

2. Are a female preacher (I Cor. 14:34-35; I Tim. 2:11-12).

 

3. Are a member of a man-made religious organization – i.e., a denomination (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Rom. 16:16).

 

4. Wear a special title as a religious leader (Matt. 23:7-10; I Cor. 1:12-13; Acts 10:25-26).

 

5. Refuse to belong to a local church that is Christ’s (I Pet. 5:1-2; I Cor. 11:17-18; Acts 9:26).

 

6. Try to follow the gospel and, at the same time, follow the law of Moses (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 8:7-8; 9:16-17). 

 

7. Worship God based on what they like rather than seeing what God has authorized/instructed (John 4:24; Matt. 15:1-9; Col. 3:17).

 

8. Conform to the world via immodest dress, corrupt speech and sexual immorality (I Tim. 2:9; Eph. 5:4; Gal. 5:19).

 

9. Keep returning to the passing pleasures of sin with drugs, gambling, drinking and the like (I Cor. 9:27; I Pet. 4:3; Gal. 5:21).

 

10. Go through life trying to serve two masters (Matt. 6:24; I John 2:15-16).

 

11. Put their earthly family ahead of the Lord (Matt. 10:37; 6:33).

 

12. Serve as an elder in a church when not married or not meeting other qualifications (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

 

13. Claim to love the Lord yet hate their brother (I John 4:7-8, 20).

 

14. Get married but refused to leave their father and mother (Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:22-33).

 

15. Act kindly toward some people but have prejudices toward others (Gal. 2:11-13; Gal. 3:27-28).

 

16.  One who has accepted the world’s standard for entertainment when it ungodly (Rom. 12:1-2).

 

Many people are fooling themselves by saying they are Christians when they do not live Christ-like lives (I Pet. 2:21). Christians may sin from time to time, but they are required to repent (I John 1:8-10).  Remember, repenting means “to turn away from”. We all need to think about that.

 

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Can you be a Christian and go to any church?

 

I am certain that most religious people believe Christians can go to any church they choose. What does the Bible, God’s preserved word, say? In a literal sense, anyone can do anything THEY want. Let’s rephrase the question to better seek the will of God: Can one be a faithful Christian and go to any church they want?

 

There are many questions that need to be answered. When we find the answers to these questions, then we will have found the answer to our original question.

 

1. What does the Bible teach about becoming a Christian? (Rom. 10:17; John 8:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; 22:16)

 

2. If a “church” does not teach what the Bible clearly states for question #1, then why would a Christian want to assemble with that “church”? (II John 9-10; I John 4:1)

 

3. Has the Lord specified which church a Christian must be of? (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; Rom. 16:16).

 

4. If the answer to question #3 is no, then would it really matter which church one was a member of? (Rom. 4:15)

 

5. However, if the Lord is being specific, then does this not answer the question given in the title? (Acts 2:47).

 

Allow me to be direct as we conclude this article. Jesus adds those who obey the gospel to His church, not some man-made organization. Becoming a Christian and picking any “church” you want is NOT authorized by the Lord. To make sure you are pleasing the Lord, study to show yourself approved (II Tim. 2:15). If you need further help identifying a church that is faithful to the Lord, do not hesitate to let us know.    

                                                                                         

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