DISCIPLE {follower} – John 13:35: CHILD OF GOD (Rom. 8:16-17; 1 John 3:1; Eph. 5:8); FRUIT-BEARING (Gal. 5:22-23); SALT (Matt. 5:13); LIGHTS (Matt. 5:14-16)
‘Or’
HYPOCRITE {phony} – Mark 7:6: CHILD OF DEVIL (John 8:44); DOUBLE-MINDED (James 1:8); DECEIVER (2 John 1:7); OUTWARD MASK (Matt. 23:27); RELIGIOUS, BUT NO RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST (2 Timothy 3:5).
Matthew 16:13-16 (NIV) – 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
In Matthew 16:13, 15 Jesus asked his disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” and “Who do you (disciples) say I am?”
Who do those closest to you (spouse, children, siblings, and relatives) say that you are? Do they say you are a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ? Or, do they say that you are a hypocrite (phony)? How about other people such as co-workers, neighbors and friends? Are you compromising in order to please people? Are you one way with some people and another way with others? Jesus says, “Everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny them before my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:33; 2 Tim. 2:12).
There is also another category – those who are “admirers (spectators),” who have heard about Jesus at Sunday school or Christmas and Easter services, but have not committed their life to Him. Instead they have become admirers of well-known men/women. Some churches have even become mega buildings full of admirers who attend services because of so-called “superstar preachers” with itchy ear sermons (2 Tim. 4:3). After service they leave without any conviction and continue living any kind of way, because they are only admirers of the man/woman preaching another gospel with no power or conviction (Gal. 1:8).
Do you know someone who has become a religious churchgoer? It’s tragic that some actually believe that just going to church, having one’s name on a church membership roll, serving on a few ministries, or preaching anything is enough to go to heaven. However, they will be shocked to hear, when they stand before God as stated in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!” Make no mistake about it!! Satan is real; demons are real; hell is real, and many will go there for real if they don’t accept, believe, and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior – serving Him and only Him and stop playing church!
Christianity is not a religion; it’s about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and following him. Disciples (followers) who spend time with Jesus in prayer and reading the word of God know and understand that there is no salvation without total surrender, no life without death, no forgiveness without repentance, and no believing without yielding (Luke 9:23). At least twenty times in the New Testament, Jesus Christ issued a compelling and challenging invitation, “Follow me.” Jesus states in John 14:21 that, “whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” If you are not walking with the Lord daily, denying self, and following His commandments then you are not a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ. His disciples are committed and obedient to Him, not hypocrites or admirers of people living any kind of way, mocking God, and worshipping false prophets/preachers (Matt. 7:15; Matt. 24:11; 2 Cor. 11:14).
We are living in perilous times, continually hearing how some preachers have become entangled in the snares by the god of this world – pride, fame, drugs, adultery, homosexuality, divorce, and fornication (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -1 John 2:16). Because of this some churches have succumbed to seducing, controlling spirits and ungodly music (Amos 5:21 MSG). In fact, 2 Timothy 3:5, 7-8 tells us that there will be people who have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. They are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth—since they will actually resist the truth. Then it goes on to say in verse 13, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
The signs are prevalent as stated in Matthew 24:3-14 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and the day is rapidly approaching when every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 14:11). Judgment has already begun in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17), and God is shaking everything that can be shaken, allowing time for repentance; for He is a holy and just God, but will not be mocked. There’s no time to be playing church!! Flesh is on parade in churches more concerned about having large crowds with itchy ear preachers, seeking personal gain by requesting 3 or 4 offerings from the people (Matt. 7:15; Matt. 24:11; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Cor. 11:14; Amos 5:21). There’s no burden for lost souls or those who are bound and oppressed by the enemy. It’s a rarity to find and hear preachers or televangelists who exalt Jesus Christ (and not themselves), preaching on sin, repentance, hell, salvation, holiness, the cross, the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-7; Gal. 1:8).
Take a moment and ask yourself, who do people say you are? Do they say that you are a disciple (follower) of Jesus Christ, hypocrite (phony) who is playing church, or an admirer (spectator)? Every one of us has an appointment and will stand before God one day (Heb. 9:27) to give account of every idle word spoken (Matt. 12:36). Do you know what you will hear when you stand before God? Will it be…“Depart from me, I never knew you!” (Matt. 7:23) or “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23)
God loves you and doesn’t want anyone to perish (John 3:16-17; 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, do you desire to be a child of God? Or, are you a prodigal who wants to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ (Luke 15:10)? If so, please go to the “Salvation” tab, located on this Blog, and know for sure what words you will hear when you stand before God.
Amen!
H. L. Green
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