What shall we say then, many, most, some, a few? And what moniker shall we give them? Christian, believer, saved, born-again. The differences are becoming more and more difficult to tell for some, who is truly a child of God, and who is simply professing Him with their lips. Much of this comes from the inability to see the fruits of the Spirit in them, they attend church, but are they worshipping, they read the Scriptures, occasionally, and then only sparingly, yet they do not apply them, they feel saved, yet these expressions are rarely if ever vocalized in such a way that shows a heart for the lost, or Christ.
At first glance, the untrained eye would say that this person is a Christian, they speak the right words, they have on the proper attire, sometimes even sporting a chain with a cross on it hanging from their neck, they attend a church, all in all, they fit the part. Yet when one speaks to them, they offer little more than an invitation to their church, they prefer conversations about the obvious, when asked, they can no more speak of the path they are supposedly on than that of the weather on a distant planet. So then, which will you choose, is it many, some, the majority, or just a few, who is truly saved and who is not.
Our actions and words are the only determining factor we can give to the outside world for the proof of our salvation, if they see a man who is consumed with the things of the world, a man whose main goals in this life seem to center around self, then they are not seeing Christ. If they hear words of the world, all the innocuous chatter that reverberates daily and constantly from the lips of those who do not know Christ as Savior, then they will of course assume, and possibly rightly so, that you are just like them. This is the lie that many have come to believe, and I think I can say that word many with confidence, that it is the inner man that is all that is necessary for a relationship with the Lord, no outward signs need be visible. At best, cordiality and politeness are the outward signs of a supposed born-again believer, no other works are necessary.
The man of God can see through these deceits, he sees church attendance in these as nothing more than a formality that must be observed, he hears their words in the assembly, but can hear no true abiding faith in them, he sees them for what they are, the lost pretending to be part of the flock. Their determination is not to destroy the congregation, for they actually believe themselves to be a part of the fold, instead, they have been so deceived that they have actually come to believe that they are a part of the elect, that they also have been chosen. When questioned about even the most basic tenets of thier faith in Christ they claim to have, they become combative, questioning your right to question them, if this course is continued upon, you will be seen as judgmental, contentious, perhaps even overly conservative, judgmental instead of using righteous judgement. (John 7:24)
The man of God who is willing to bring these issues up to others is rarely welcomed for much longer, yet every intent of his heart is for nothing more than to reach these for Christ who have falsely believed they have found Him. An unrepentant murderer on death row is easier to speak to about the grace and mercy of Christ than these individuals, for they have become self-righteous in their own eyes. So, what shall we say then? Let the Word of Almighty God answer. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” (Matt. 7:13) “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matt. 7:14)
The Lord God always keeps a remnant for Himself, even in the most depraved, sinful, and perilous times. “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) He will find some with lamps full, wide awake and waiting, but not many. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” (Matt. 15:8) How many? “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matt. 7:22) Be sure my friends, be very, very sure, your eternal soul hangs in the balance.
