Who Are We?
A major problem facing all Pastors, and consequently the Church remains, "Who is a true Christian?" Without this being defined, we have no idea who is saved, and of course who is not. In terms of denominations, there is not always a clear definable difference for the layman. As a Pastor, generally there is a clear definable difference. Some are more difficult, yet the differences doctrinally exist.
There is no question that ALL who do NOT believe in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone as their Lord and Saviour will NOT go to heaven. John tells us in:
(John 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Our Bible (The KJB) tells us without a doubt that the unbeliever will burn in Hell (“…the wrath of God…”) There is no question in my mind that the state of the CHURCH is at the brink of apostasy. We see so many churches springing up without a doctrine, or a doctrine that comes from the “mind of man.”
I have read an article which states that our former President Bush has an “Universalistic” view of religion (regardless of our denomination or doctrine, “we all seek the same God in our beliefs.” That is not what the Bible teaches.) I do believe, however, a lot of churches teach this doctrine. The consequence: the membership doesn't go to church anymore. Paul teaches us in:
(Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
If they “Ain't” there, then they “Ain't” hearing; and consequently, they are not gaining faith, or knowledge to bolster their faith.
Some say that Our God of Abraham is the same god of Mohammed, which is Allah. If you look up "ALLAH" in Daniel Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, you will find Webster didn't understand either. (Do understand JEHOVAH and Allah are NOT the same. There is only one God, GOD JEHOVAH as defined in the King James Bible.) This is a lack of our understanding of the Muslim and other “Universalistic” religions.
The real problem isn't the churches; it is the secularism of the world we live in. Our world is much more glamorous than our churches. It is so much more enjoyable “to live in sin than to live right with God.” The devil daily creates video games, “Discovery Channel Documentation,” on the fallacies of the Christian faith. All are designed to pull Christians, children, and the lost from the church.
The apostasy of the church is we are no longer preaching “on those sins,” and are hard pressed to call the Dallas Cowboys or other secular past times “Tools of the devil.” We will preach against drugs, “alkyhall,” smoking, living together without matrimony, (all the obvious sins,) but to defame sports or other past times as “Tools of the devil!” To the world, it is profane.
So my title, “Who Are We?” still remains. Are you a:
1. Biblical Christian,
2. Just a once in awhile with guilt Christian,
3. When you have nothing else to do Christian, or
4. I go to church Christian?
God tells us in His Word:
(Romans 10:9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Have you confessed Jesus? Do you believe that God hath raised Him from the grave? If so, repent and follow Him. Put these sins out of your life. Get within the Will of God and go to Church faithfully.
Bro John R. E Chastain
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