A False Sense of (Spiritual) Security

I see it all the time. People who think they're "good with God," yet are so lost. Sometimes, I literally cry as I pass by some big churches filled to the brim for certain meetings, because I KNOW what their pastors teach and thus what most of them believe. I see the fruit--and it scares me.

I know that sounds judgmental, but let's not forget that while Jesus taught us NOT to condemn, he also taught us to, "make a righteous judgement (John 7:24)," and to do so by "their fruits (Matt. 7:16, 20)." When churches teach that there's more than one way to connect with God, thus contradicting Jesus' very words (John 14:6), when they embrace gay/lesbian marriage as a "holy union" in direct contradiction to what God has revealed in scripture (Romans 1:25-27), or when they suggest that it's by works of liturgy or ceremony that we are saved or cleansed instead of by faith as Jesus and the Apostles taught (Eph. 2:8-10, etc.)--can we not conclude that they are lost or at least severely confused and in danger of hearing those words from Matthew chapter seven?

We can, and we should--or we too may be in danger of spiritual blindness and failure.

But it's not primarily large groups, denominations, or churches that we're ultimately concerned about is it? God pays no heed to any of these designations actually, it's the individual saints He is concerned about. Yet, I know of so many people who think that they're "good to go with God" based on any number of virtually irrelevant factors:

• They think that since they were baptized as a baby--they're "all set."
• They think that just because they were baptized as an adult--they're "all set."
• They think because they go to church regularly, they have eternal security.
• They sincerely believe that because they do good deeds, give to the poor, drop their bad habits, or practice certain rituals--they're in the Lamb's book of life.
• They think that since they walked the isle and repeated the "sinner's prayer" all is well in heaven and with them no matter what!

The fact is, salvation isn't based on ANY of these things--yep, even the last one. You'll never see the "sinner's prayer" in the Bible. I'm not saying it's evil, nor am I saying that we can't use it as a guide for someone who wants to sincerely turn their life over to God--we do that at MPC all the time. What we're saying is that a prayer isn't a magic incantation to forgive sin and grant eternal life.

We ought to know this from observation. How many Christians still live in unrelenting sin after "praying the prayer," being baptized, etc.? Statistics show that the rate of child abuse, drug use, sexual misconduct, divorce, etc. is virtually identical between unbelievers and professing evangelical Christians. I would argue that one reason for this is a false sense of spiritual security. Yet, John wrote that people truly born again don't remain in sin once it's pointed out (I John 3:9, 5:18). Obviously, people who "live like Hell," and believe they're going to heaven, are basing their status on the wrong thing(s).

So what is the basis for assurance? And why DO so many Christians lead less-than-productive/transformed lives? Well, that's the basis for my sermon this Sunday, so I can't tell you or I'd have to shoot you (just kidding).

 In summary, I WILL say that the short answer is this:

• Faith, as evidenced by two things--

1. The filling the the Holy Spirit, which then empowers through fruit and gifts to produce--
2. Obedience and works of service.

It's always by Faith/Trust--REAL faith which is identified by the Spirit's presence and the evidence of change. If we have this faith, we're saved. If we don't, we're not. According to scripture--it's that simple. All the other "stuff" above is at best, "frosting on the cake."

So where DO you stand? If you have this faith, you can be secure and assured of eternal life, forgiveness of sin, blessings, etc. If you don't you can as well by truly surrendering EVERYTHING to God by placing all your trust on him. How?

Did you ever walk across a frozen pond? I have. One thing you do is gingerly test each step before putting your whole weight on it. If you're smart, you don't just run across or tromp ahead until you know the ice is think and thus it's safe. Once you see that it is, you put one foot down, then the other, and eventually, you may even be jumping and leaping around in a secure sense that the pond is frozen and it's OK. God WANTS us to test the footing and get to know Him. Because, once you do, you'll put your weight on him--and let Him carry you! That total surrender of everything (job, sex, money, time, relationships--everything) is the basis of true conversion, true salvation, true rebirth.

Want that? We'd love to help. Email us--call us--text us--or come see us so we can cross that pond together!

In Jesus,
Pastor Joel