In Matthew 7:15-23 Jesus tells us to watch out for false prophets and He says we can tell them by their fruit. Something we should all watch out for. But what I really find terrifying is what he tells us next. In the last half of this passage Jesus gives us a glimpse into the Day of Judgment and what He says cuts me to the very sole. He says that on that day not everyone who says to Him “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven.
I’ve read this passage many times before and it finally dawned on me that those who are addressing Him aren’t just saying “Lord”, but are addressing Him as “Lord. Lord.” It’s as if they are stuttering His name, because they are in shock over the fact that not only doesn’t He know them, but He tells them to depart from Him. They so shocked that they repeat His name as if to say “Lord. It’s me! Lord, you know me!
I took some time to look throughout scripture to note other places when a persons name is repeated. I probably missed a few, but here are some:
1. Just before Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac The Angel of The Lord calls out to him “Abraham! Abraham! (Ge 22:11)
2. When Jacob is afraid to go to Egypt and God reassures him saying He’ll be with him He calls to him "Jacob. Jacob." (Ge 46:1-3).
3. When God calls out to Moses from the burning bush, he says “Moses! Moses!” (Ex3:3-5)
4. When God calls out to Samuel while he is sleeping he calls "Samuel, Samuel". (1Sa 3:10)
5. When King David finds out that his son Absalom, who had rebelled against him, is dead he laments “My son! My son! Absalom, my son.” (2Sa 18:33)
6. Elisha upon seeing the chariot of fire cries “My Father! My Father! The chariots of Israel!” (2Ki 2:12)
7. When Martha is all uptight because her sister isn’t helping her, Jesus says “Martha, Martha…” (Luke 10:41)
8. Knowing that Peter would say in front of everyone that he would die for Jesus, Christ says “Simon, Simon. Satan will have you and sift you like wheat…” (Luke 22:31)
9. As Jesus is looking at the city on the hill, he laments “Jerusalem. Jerusalem". (Matthew 23:37)
10. As Christ hangs on the cross he cries out “My God, My God” (Matthew 27:46)
11. Christ stops Saul of Tarsus in his tracks on the road to Damascus and he calls out to him “Saul. Saul. Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 26:14)
My point in all of this is that when I find names repeated in the bible it indicates a deeply intimate relationship. So I have to say that those who come to Jesus saying “Lord. Lord.” Not only know Jesus by His title “Lord”, but also seem to think they know Him intimately. The false prophets he tells us to avoid and the people coming to Him saying “Lord, Lord” are members of the congregation! Do you see why this terrifies me?
Thinking it through I believe that true justification comes from sustained faith and trust in Christ alone and not placing out trust solely in one moment in time where we carried out some simple “act” be it reciting the sinners prayer or even, dare I say, in baptism alone. If I place my trust in my baptism and don’t place my trust in Jesus and strive every day to obey him, then I will never bear fruit. Yes, publicly accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior and being baptized for the remission of sins is necessary, but it can’t end there. If it does end there, then I think you have displayed just enough faith to send you to hell for all eternity.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
A Tree and Its Fruit
Please read the following scripture and meditate especially on the second paragraph. As I have said before, it is for me the most terrifying scripture in the bible. Why do I find it so terrifying especially if I consider myself a member of the Lord's church? It has to do with genuine faith.
Matthew 7:15-23
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Matthew 7:15-23
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Merely in the Flesh
Jeremiah 9:25 "The days are coming", declares the LORD, "when I will punish all who are circumcised merely in the flesh"
God tells us that circumcision of the body (outward) is useless without circumcision of the heart (inward). For ancient Israel, circumcision was a sign of both repentance and faith. Some, like Abraham, received the sign after trusting God. Others, like Issaac, were cut before confessing faith. Likewise, believers on this side of the cross have signs that indicate a decision to believe and follow Christ has been made. For some it is the very point at which you make the confession, whether spoken out loud or by silently saying a "sinners prayer", that conversion occurs. Others point to baptism as the moment of conversion. I am sure there are any number of other opinions as to exactly when salvation occurs.
Now in my sixth year after first placing my trust in Christ, I have wondered about the person who professes faith, is baptized, attends church on a regular basis and for all intents and purposes "does" Christianity just fine from an outward perspective. Yet, internally, no change has occurred. There is no hunger for the Word, no fear for the one who can throw him into hell, no desire to tithe and in whom is found every desire for the world. To some, faith is wrapped up in their own checklist of good works. I know Christianity isn't a checklist. For some when they say they've become a Christian it means they've stopped drinkning, stopped swearing, etc. Rather, true conversion is signified by an immediate inward change that manifests itself by the fruit of the spirit. No, I am not saying that one must become sinless, but that is contrasted by the person whose lifestyle is one thing when they are around "church folk" and something completely different around non-church folk. My point is this; regardless of timing, these signs bring no lasting benefits unless the recipient is inwardly converted.
I raise this topic as a lead in for the next posting I am working on. Read Matthew 7:15-23. It is, for me, the most terrifying scripture in the entire Bible.
God tells us that circumcision of the body (outward) is useless without circumcision of the heart (inward). For ancient Israel, circumcision was a sign of both repentance and faith. Some, like Abraham, received the sign after trusting God. Others, like Issaac, were cut before confessing faith. Likewise, believers on this side of the cross have signs that indicate a decision to believe and follow Christ has been made. For some it is the very point at which you make the confession, whether spoken out loud or by silently saying a "sinners prayer", that conversion occurs. Others point to baptism as the moment of conversion. I am sure there are any number of other opinions as to exactly when salvation occurs.
Now in my sixth year after first placing my trust in Christ, I have wondered about the person who professes faith, is baptized, attends church on a regular basis and for all intents and purposes "does" Christianity just fine from an outward perspective. Yet, internally, no change has occurred. There is no hunger for the Word, no fear for the one who can throw him into hell, no desire to tithe and in whom is found every desire for the world. To some, faith is wrapped up in their own checklist of good works. I know Christianity isn't a checklist. For some when they say they've become a Christian it means they've stopped drinkning, stopped swearing, etc. Rather, true conversion is signified by an immediate inward change that manifests itself by the fruit of the spirit. No, I am not saying that one must become sinless, but that is contrasted by the person whose lifestyle is one thing when they are around "church folk" and something completely different around non-church folk. My point is this; regardless of timing, these signs bring no lasting benefits unless the recipient is inwardly converted.
I raise this topic as a lead in for the next posting I am working on. Read Matthew 7:15-23. It is, for me, the most terrifying scripture in the entire Bible.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Opening
I chose the title for this blog to be "A Shattered Image" because of how aware I am that, as an image bearer of God, I am a fallen man and have shattered that image. My hope is to post ideas, life observations and to discuss the things of God and bring to mind that faith is so much more than just a simple profession. I do not believe that salvation comes from something as simple as an alter call, a one time reciting of a simple prayer or any other simple outward act. I absolutely think conversion includes those things, but unless my faith is genuine, unless my faith bears fruit, then my faith is dead. And a dead faith is the same as no faith at all.
I have to admit that I began this blog as the result of the death of a close colleague of mine. His death was completely sudden and as a Christian sister reminded me, death seems to put everything in perspective. I know I will die one day and I understand that it could be at any moment, yet because of my faith in Christ I do not fear death. Still, when death strikes so close and so unexpectedly it really got me thinking about my faith. Not that my faith is waivering, rather I am thinking more along the lines of the fruit that it bears and just how important that is.
God willing, in the coming days, weeks and months, we can engage in meaningful discussions and strip away the fog that our enemy clouds our eyes with and shed some light to truly understand what the Gospel is really all about.
I have to admit that I began this blog as the result of the death of a close colleague of mine. His death was completely sudden and as a Christian sister reminded me, death seems to put everything in perspective. I know I will die one day and I understand that it could be at any moment, yet because of my faith in Christ I do not fear death. Still, when death strikes so close and so unexpectedly it really got me thinking about my faith. Not that my faith is waivering, rather I am thinking more along the lines of the fruit that it bears and just how important that is.
God willing, in the coming days, weeks and months, we can engage in meaningful discussions and strip away the fog that our enemy clouds our eyes with and shed some light to truly understand what the Gospel is really all about.
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