Today we will begin to look at how we deceive ourselves. So many people who line our church pews every Sunday think they are saved, when they are not truly in line with what the Bible describes as true salvation.
In Matthew 7:22-23, we see an example of this kind of person. Jesus is describing them in these two verses.
Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name, have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
The day in verse 22 Jesus is talking about is the day of judgment. We all will stand before Jesus one day and give an account for the life we have lived. I can think of no greater tragedy than to live your life thinking you were going to heaven, and find out at a time when nothing can be done about it, that you didn’t make it.
We need to examine ourselves and see if we line up with what scriptures say are the mark of a true believer. It is a real mark of maturity when you face yourself, and realize you have a need. A greater mark of maturity is to repent and do something about it.
The immature person feels they have it all together. They have said a prayer, they go to church, put a little money in the offering, and feel all is well. Everything seems to be going well, so they think to themselves, “life is good, and I am good.” That is not what Revelation 3:17 says.
Revelation 3:17 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
This person has allowed his ignorance of the word, and the lack of a real relationship with God, to blind him to the truth. He is lost and deceived! When we do not know we cannot obey the word, this equals NO truth!
When we are rightly related to God we will be rightly related to his word. It will be our mirror to reveal to us areas we need to change. God’s word is truth, and it is what we will be judged by. We need to make sure we are devouring His word, and make the application needed.
James 1:21 “ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
The engrafted word means the implanted word. When something is planted correctly, watered, fertilized, and pruned, it will not only grow, but it will bear fruit. There will be a changed life that will point people to Jesus just by being around them.
So, pull out that mirror, and look deep and long. What do you see? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that is not pleasing to him. Trust me, he will bring it to your mind. If he doesn’t there are a couple of reasons I can think of to quiet the Holy Spirit. One, you are not truly looking for answers, you are just going through the exercise. You need to remove distractions and ask again, seriously. Two, you are not really saved. How do I know that? Because none of us are perfect and if the Holy Spirit lives in you he will tell you the truth.
Are you allowing the word to be engrafted in you?
Are you bearing fruit? If so what kind and how much fruit?
John 15:4-5 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Get your spiritual mirror down and put it to work!
