Many people claim to be a Christian today. Could this be true? Let's compare the claim it to the scriptures... 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!" We often hear this verse but what does it mean exactly? Well, let's look at some additional text. 1 Corinthians 15:3 tells us, "Christ died for our sins" This is True. 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us why..."And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" So when we put it all together we see that Christ died for our sins so that we might die to self and live for Him, therefore if we claim to know Him the evidence is we are no longer the same, we are a new creation that seeks to please The Lord.
Therefore, Matthew 7:21-23 starts to make sense, "“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. Away from me, you who practice lawlessness" Even though many did much activity in the name of The Lord, their hearts were never changed, the evidence is in the last verse..."away from me, you who practice lawlessness" they were still living a lifestyle to please themselves and not The Lord.
It's not easy giving up your life but it is what it takes if you truly want eternal life, this is why Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
What does it take then to enter this narrow gate? 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us, "godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret..." Brokenness over being a sinner against a Holy God leads to repentance, a turning from your sin, turning to Jesus Christ as the mediator of your soul, and this, God tells us through His Word, you will never regret.
Unless you have been broken of your sinful condition, confessed it to God, repented, placed your faith in Jesus Christ, and are now living for Him and not yourselves (meaning following God's will, for example reading your Bible, going to church, putting others above yourself, keeping yourself from being polluted by the worlds ungodly ways such as worldly music, movies, clubs and bars, and more) then you really are not a Christian "Christ Follower"
If this is you believe it or not is a good realization...as you can still turn to Jesus before it's too late and you hear those devasting words "Depart from me, I never knew you"
Do not be deceived, Jesus Himself said, "small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it"
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