There are many people who say they are Christians, they live good lives, go to church every week, who are trusting in their own goodness to please Christ for their salvation. These good people have never been broken over their sinful nature. Because they are depending on their own goodness, they walk in pride, refusing to hear truth, while looking down their noses at those who require Biblical answers for everything. Notice that they only show goodness when they are being flattered. When challenged to rethink their beliefs, they become ravenous wolves, at the very least covert aggressors against those that are the object of their hatred.
The people described in Matthew 7 are convinced they are good and will enter heaven. They have an elevated view of themselves, but lack the power of the Holy Spirit because they have never admitted they are not good people, they think they are worthy of salvation without Christ. They tack Christ onto the end of their good life, even using terminology from the Word, while not understanding what they say.
God said: Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
I have witnessed many people who call themselves believers who are embarrassed at the mention of Christ in any gathering. They shrink from the side of those who desire to bring Biblical truth to discussions. They even use intimidation to silence the one who desires to get at the truth of Scripture. These people surround themselves with other superficial individuals, who say glowing words about God, but are incensed at the prospect of being challenged to obey His commands. They will say we should obey Christ while in the middle of disobeying Him. Words are enough for superficial believers, any in-depth discussion about the meaning of those words or the context from which they come, is met with disdain. Their desire is to keep everything as superficial and happy as possible, making sure they are the center of attention.
These same people elevate the "educated" and "prominent" while negating and mocking those who are not "accomplished" but swim against the tide of modern Christianity. These phony believers surround themselves with those who appear in style, beautiful people who do all the popular things in life.
Those who have been born again, love to speak of the Lord, they are excited about the prospect of meeting another like minded believer who uses the Bible as the filter for everything. True believers pay little attention to the latest clothing or activity fads. Their mind is so completely full of Christ, that all else is of little value to them.
Here is the way of salvation that Christ spoke of in the following passages. I hope that all those people who have been walking superficially will pray and seek the face of God while reading these passages. May He open the hearts and minds of many.
The following quote is from gotQuestions?org.
"As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).
"The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12, 13 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ."
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html#ixzz2yyeWNMEo
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