Are YOU a believer?

Are YOU a believer?  You might say, "Well yes, of course I am."  Are you sure.  Consider this.

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says these words to the crowd he is speaking to.  "Not everyone who says to me  Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?  And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me you workers of lawlessness."


Some of the people Jesus is speaking to are religious people.  Maybe even religious leaders.  They believe they are right with God because of their works.  Because they said the right words and practiced the right rituals.  However, Jesus suggests in the previous verses that the path is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction and those who enter it are many(Matthew 7:13-14).  He suggests that some of those "many will be people who thought that they were going to heaven only to find that their actions were worthless because they were not motivated by love for God, but love for their own goodness.  They were self-righteous acts.

You might even ask what right I have to ask such a question and risk causing someone to doubt.
In time, we will discuss that, as well as what truly makes you right before God and how you can be assured of  your salvation.

There are many who are unsure of their spiritual state before God and there are many who are dreadfully self-deceived about their Christianity.  My goal is not to create unnecessary doubt.  However, if there is any question in your spirit as to your standing before God at this time, I would suggest that you pray a lot about it and dig in the word to see what it says.  Follow along as I flesh out various responses to this question and provide tools to help us better understand the wonderful Gospel that saves us, sanctifies us, and assures us that we are in right standing before God.

Even if you think you are fine, isn't it worth a little contemplation to examine the status of your heart in relation to what the word teaches.

This is not a question you can afford to get wrong.

More tomorrow.

Love,

Josh