People debate a lot of issues, and in most instances it doesn’t really matter who is right and who is wrong. However, when it comes to the subject of salvation we better be sure we get it right–most don’t.
I thought about this the other day while reading an article entitled “Sincerity Doesn’t Count”, by Jim Elliff. He said:
Suppose we have an altercation about the straightness of a wall.
“It’s not straight,” I say. “It is straight,” you say. Our argument goes through stages: firmness, pleading, tears—but no resolve comes out of our attempts to convince. What should we do?
There is only one way to solve this difference of opinion—the plumb must be dropped. OK, I know that there are more sophisticated ways, but this is a proven one. And I don’t mean that we should drop a piece of fruit. The plumb-bob is a weight suspended by a string. It usually has a point on the end. As many of you already know, the plumb or plummet is a sure-fire way to settle an argument about straightness. When you suspend the plumb next to the wall, the alignment of the string tells the truth.
The Bible is such a plumb. Put it up against your life and you find out the truth about yourself.
“But I know I’m a Christian. I can just feel it.” Well, it really doesn’t matter what you feel or how sincere you are. It’s the Bible that reveals the truth about us. “But my pastor told me I was a Christian.” Doesn’t solve it. “But I’ve always gone to church. Surely I’m a Christian.” Nope, not enough.
At the end of the day, it’s not what you think you are that counts, but what God says a true Christian is.
In other words, you can be deceived.
He is right! This is exactly what the Apostle Paul had on his mind when he wrote these words: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived—.1 Cor. 6:9.
Why did he say, “Be not deceived”? He said that because some of them were or might have been deceived. Had that not been the case it would have made no sense for Paul to make that statement. Their lifestyle betrayed them. Their practice did not match their profession. Their conduct did not measure up to their confession. They claimed to be Christians but there was no evidence that they were. And, sadly they were oblivious to the obvious. It’s true that salvation doesn’t make us perfect, but it does make us different. The moment we receive Christ we become “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”(2 Cor. 5:17). So, what’s new about you? Can others notice a difference in your attitude and actions?
Being sincere and satisfied about your beliefs are not good enough. It’s a matter of facts, not feelings. So, what’s the truth concerning your relationship with God? Only the Bible gives you the right answer. You can know beyond any shadow of doubt that you are saved (1 John 5:13) and you have great cause for concern if you don’t (Rom.8:16).
