What do you believe about Jesus? Do you know Him as your Lord and Savior? Do you have a relationship with Him or are you just “doing” Christianity or religion? Are you happy sinning and feel no remorse for it? Do you make excuses for your sins or take pride in them? These are important questions and in your heart lies the answers to them. The world is rapidly changing, and in this change I believe that God is beginning to reveal the false believers from the true believers. There is no doubt that we are being tested during this time and what or who you run to for shelter and strength, can reveal where your heart is, Jesus or this world. Let’s take a look at a very important passage where Jesus is describing to us two “believers” who couldn’t be more different from each other, but on the outside look very much the same.
Not Everyone Is Who They Say They Are
In Jesus’ sermon on the Mount of Olives, He tells us that not everyone who says to Him, “Lord, Lord” will enter into the kingdom of Heaven. But only those who do the will of the Father. So what is the will of God?
Simply, it is believing in Jesus, the Son whom God sent; truly trusting in Him alone, for your eternal salvation (
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind
- Love your neighbor as yourself
In verses 22-23, Jesus is defining people who may perform great things or display what appears to be great faith in His name but inwardly have no true faith in Him; they lack the Holy Spirit inside. The miraculous signs and works can very well be genuine in the sense that there is spiritual power behind them; that power may not be of God; it could be demonic. What is unfortunate is this type of person is in a state of self-delusion. They are the “believer” who might even look the most faithful when in public, but they are overtaken by sin and have no repentance or desire to stop. Their obedience to God is likely non-existent, and they might even outwardly live a sinful and worldly life — trying to cover for it by saying things like “It’s okay, I can do this because Jesus loves me” or “It’s no big deal because I’m under God’s grace”.
It’s important to understand that all believers still sin; however, the believer who is Spirit-in-dwelt does not take delight in their sin, and sin is not the master of their life. While a sin might feel good at first, the Holy Spirit convicts the true believer, and that sin becomes less and less enjoyable. The false believer will run to sin at any chance, but the true believer instinctively runs away from it as much as possible. While it is possible to be a true believer and live in sin for a season, the Holy Spirit will act to help them back on the right path at some point, and that true believer will very much want to be back on the path with the Lord. God does not let His children stray too far for too long; He rightly disciplines those whom He loves.
Jesus says that on that day, speaking of the day of judgment, He will look at them and say “I never knew you, depart from me you lawbreakers”; there is no second chance on that day. You can say you know Jesus all you want, but if you have not truly trusted in Him and allowed Him to take residence in your heart and life, then you don’t know Him, and He for sure doesn’t know you.
The Same House, Two Different Foundations
Jesus breaks it down again for us in an easy-to-understand parable.
House number one here is a believer whose foundation is real and solid. It is built upon Jesus Christ (the Rock), it is built upon the Word of God (the Bible), and it is built upon the absolute truth of God. All the trials in life, God uses to test the foundation. It’s this foundation that will stand the tests and will prove that this person is a true, Spirit-in-dwelt follower of Jesus Christ. They have a fire and passion for God that manifests in their desire to soak up His every word and live holy. They have love for others, even loving people whom they didn’t love before, in fact, couldn’t love on their own. They have self-control that allows them to deny themselves more often than not. They are genuinely remorseful for their sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is on display in their day-to-day living (
House number two is the false believer; the house looks the same, but the foundation is fake. Their foundation is built upon their love of sin, it is built upon lack of conviction and remorse, and it is built upon their own pride. This type of “believer” not only loves their sin, they are likely public with it, may even make plans to sin, and might even get others to join in. When the trials of life come and they will, this person is swept away as their foundation crumbles almost immediately, having nothing to firmly hold on to. When that happens, they are the ones who say things like “I’m no longer a Christian, I was, but not anymore”, but the reality is, they never were to begin with. Their faith was all an illusion in which they created themselves through their desire to put their sin over love for God.
You’re going to find these false believers gravitating to false teachers, who will tickle their ears with words that sound sweet to them. Teachers who rarely use Jesus’ name in their sermons, rarely use Scripture in their sermons, and often tell their congregation things which affirm their sins rather than the things that will help convict them of their sins. These false believers don’t care about reading and studying the Bible; they are not concerned with self-sacrifice for others and God. They love “number one,” and “number one” in their eyes is themselves. Oh, but how much they love to taste the things of Christianity, yet unwilling to truly partake. Their pride has deceived them into thinking that they are in true discipleship.
What Is Your Foundation?
The Apostle Paul said this:
He said we must examine ourselves to see if we are in faith, in other words, test the foundation upon which your life now stands. It’s true that some of these false believers will never know that they are such, for such is their destiny, based on God’s foreknowledge. I heard a great pastor, by the name of Jack Hibbs, say something to the effect of, “if you believe that you believe, then you probably aren’t saved”. If that troubles you and you are concerned that your foundation is not truly built on Jesus, then my friend, you still have hope. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and place your full trust in Him as your Lord and Savior.
Salvation isn’t a feeling or emotion; it’s a knowable fact. The Bible states in
The time to test your foundation is now, while you still have the chance. If you don’t really know Jesus and are ready to accept His gift of salvation, then do so now. If you’d life, here is a prayer, the prayer itself doesn’t save you, but it is an outward expression of the change that has just happened in your heart.
Lord Jesus, I understand that I’m a sinner and nothing I can do on my own will bring me forgiveness and salvation. I’m tired of running, I’m tired of ignoring Your call. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day, as You promised. I am sorry that I have sinned against You and I ask, Lord Jesus, that You forgive me. I give my life to You from this day forward. Thank You for loving me so much that You took my sin punishment on the cross so that I could find eternal life in You. You are my risen Lord and Savior. In Your name, I pray. Amen.