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Merely claiming to be Christian does NOT A TRUE CHRISTIAN make………
The only Truth is that we believe that Jesus came to earth; God in the flesh, in the form of man to die for us and save us from our sins. There is only one God, who is a tri-part being: God, who is the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the essence of the Christian faith; our foundation: Jesus was born, was crucified and rose on the third day.
Throughout history there have been minor, even insignificant variations in denominational doctrinal practices and beliefs, but today there are grave and ominous differences that fail to reflect any sort of Biblical Truth. So unfortunately today, churches are filled with lost souls. This is what the Bible refers to as the Apostate Church, and the notion is expressed in the form of warning:
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2Timothy 4:3-4)
1). The Apostate Church (Churches that change the Word of God to suit their own delusions)
These modern-day organizations instill a complete and utter lack of Biblical understanding and are utterly void of the fear of God, yet are among the most predominate forms of the confused church. Those who believe that these are ligament churches are sorely mistaken. Our God is a God of correction; He never affirms sin. He forgives sin only when someone approaches His Throne in all Truth, with a sincere and repentant heart; knowing that their good works cannot make up for their sin. Still, these so-called churches will affirm ungodliness and encourage their congregants to continue happily, ignorantly in their delusions.
“But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,” (Romans 1:28-29)
These are lost souls in danger of the judgment and God’s coming Wrath against all ungodliness and every wicked soul:
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)
“For many will come in My name saying, ‘I am He;’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginning of sorrows” (Mark 13:6-8)
2). The Name Only Christian, or Carnal Believer
The Bible says that even the demons believe and tremble, which should reveal to us that mere ‘head knowledge’ is not all there is to the Christian faith:
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19)
A carnal believer knows that God is real, but keeps Him completely out of their decisions, fail to pray, read the Word or consider Him in any aspect of their lives. But, because they once said a prayer, believe they can continue to live any way they want. This is the attitude God used His Apostles to warn us against:
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity with God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-8)
This is someone who does not stop to think of God; what He would say about their sinfulness is of no concern whatsoever, that is until something goes wrong. There are varying levels of carnality. We all abide in some level of worldliness, which is the flesh just by being in the world, but the key is to fight the draw of worldliness on purpose, and purposefully follow God. We can make that change if we get out of our own way and let God do what He wants to within us:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:6-9)
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (Galatians 5:17)
But, there is no excuse to continue ignoring God. We cannot make this change on our own, but if we surrender to His Holy Spirits Leading, which is inside of every believer, we will be enabled:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become brand new.” (2Corinthians 5:17)
It would appear that carnality is a test of the heart:
“6)And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” 7)Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8)And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oi, for our lamps are going out.’ 9)But the wise answered saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10)And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11)Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!” 12)But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” (Matthew 25:6-12)
ALSO SEE: Remainder of Matthew 25, a chapter that forces us to examine our own hearts, so we are then enabled to make sure we are following the Truth……
The carnal believer is sadly, not saved, or at the very least, in danger of continuing in that countenance before GOD; true salvation is always possible.
3). The Stagnating, Perpetually Immature Believer or Baby Christian
This is someone who is not progressing. For those having difficulty understanding God for a lack of reading His Word or some sort of mental block/chronic emotional turmoil; there is likely also a condition of stagnation and frustration. This is someone who is greatly troubled and likely dealing with emotional problems. This is not an advisable countenance before the Lord, however, God is Merciful. But, only He knows the heart of every one of us. Therefore, He knows if someone is truly ‘scarcely saved’ or if he/she is merely pretending in order to get His sympathy. And, for the one who is living this way, there is no satisfaction in life, only confusion and turmoil, regardless of the underlying cause for their struggles:
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (1Peter 4:17-19)
In the above verse, Peter was exhorting his church to not allow themselves to remain conformed to this world, chastising them toward spiritual growth and development. For he was quite familiar with God’s Grace and Mercy; knowing that if we press into Him, He is there to help us. And Paul instructed the Roman church likewise:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
Providing these believers are not mocking God, they are saved, due to His Great Mercy and the Blood of our LORD JESUS!
4). The Maturing Believer
Selflessness, faith and humility are major keys to spiritual growth:
This is someone who truly wants to grow and learn, and works with Gods Spirit in order to do so. It’s not that anyone can ever get to the point of complete maturity, but this one who is striving to reach that pinnacle. This is someone on a journey with God, and walks with Him through faith in Christ in humility and repentance:
“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23-24)
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (1Peter 2:2-3)
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:9-10)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christs have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)
ALSO SEE: 1Samuel 2:26, 2Peter 3:18, Hebrews 6:1, Jeremiah 12:2, Luke 17:5
The maturing believer has gone beyond salvation to enjoy spiritual growth! Hallelujah!
5). The New Age Believer
This craze both marks and sparks the developing, modern-day Kumbaya era; previewed in the 1960’s, which reveals the set up for the religion of the One World Order, in which Satan will control for 7 years, while believers in Christ Jesus will be enjoying everlasting life in Heaven:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1Thessalonians 4:16-17)
This category would include any false teaching that claims to be Christianity. Generally speaking, they teach that we are the ones with all the power and control, rather than acknowledging the Trinity of God, and His Sovereignty. The easiest and fastest way to detect this lie is to compare what they say to what the Bible says. But, do this with suspicion in mind, for they are good at twisting the truth into many varying half-truths. And it can be that these partial or half-truths are what draw in the lost into this despicable fallacy. Those in secular society are prone to falling for this lie. This is someone who needs to come to the Throne in fear of the LORD and not put it off, for the clock is ticking, and the end of time as we know it, is near:
“Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)
The new ager is sadly, not saved, because they do not seek Truth:
“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him; to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
NKJV
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Linzy is a children's author, Christian writer, including Bible Prophecy reporting. Her portfolio includes, poetry and short stories for all ages.