Make Up Your Mind

​Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. See also Luke 12:8-9

These are strong words from Jesus. I have a question-do you call yourself a Christian? If so; do you believe He means what he says in this verse? There's reasons why I'm asking.

There's a lot of people on the internet with websites, Youtube and other forms of independent channels, who want to promote their videos, articles and what they have to say, and call themselves Christian. But, when you listen/watch their work-you'll find them putting images of Buddhism- people in the lotus position, doing Yoga, also Muslims in their prayer positions, and other religions into them. This is done to try to appease everybody-and still promote yourself as a Christian at the same time. This is the Rick Warren and Joel Osteen, style of Christianity- where you can do and believe anything, and still call yourself Christian.

Many of these people have no problem talking about "spiritual awareness", or "enlightenment", or "transcendence" (whatever they really mean-you could go in many directions with these terms, and they know it). These are terms used by people who want to please everybody, but have no backbone. They will change their narrative when they see people turn up their noses, and their lips against them. They can't take the rejection that would come if they make a bold, open stand for Christ. These people avoid the Bible, but have learned to be excellent "orator's"- humanistic philosopher's. They are modern day "Plato's and Socrates'", and the people love them, and flock to hear them. They walk back and forth on the stage, no bible in sight, and make up a story as they go along-the crowds love it.

Over the years, I've listened to people do this many times in my own life, when I was in ministry as a prayer chairman, and involved in mainstream churches. I quickly learned the art of double talk that most people have, both in and out of mainline church groups. But, the bottom line is-who is Jesus Christ to you.

Many of these people will avoid answering this, and the answers you do get will reveal where they really stand, and if they are really in the faith-or not.

Jesus tells of several things that will reveal a true believer in Him:
1. We will know them by their fruit-what comes out of their mouth, and what they do-on a consistant basis. 
Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. See also Mat 12:33-35; Jud 1:12

2. Their doctrine will be clear, and bold:
Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

3. A true believer will be willing to suffer for their stand, and walk in Christ:
2Ti 2:10  Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 
2Ti 2:11  It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 
2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 
2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 

There's a lot I don't know in this world. But, there's one thing I do know. Jesus is who He says He is, and God's word is all truth, and there is no lie in Him.

When Jesus says he will be ashamed of me on the day of Judgment, if I am ashamed of Him in this life-I need to heed what he says. I have no desire to see a look of shame on His face, when I stand and give an account of my life to God. He's already forgiven, and covered untold numbers of my sins, which I will be eternally grateful for.

There's a verse in James, that should make an impact on your spirit:

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 
What does this say to you? I'll tell you what it says to me.

Jesus Christ is the only God the devils pay attention to. If this is so-Who is Jesus Christ, to you?

Consider this:
Thou believest that there is one God. That is very well, but can that alone save you? Even the demons believe that also. See Mat_8:29. Evil spirits confessed Christ, but this confession of faith did not save them. B.W. Johnson comm.
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And tremble; at the wrath of God, which they now feel, and at the thought of future torments, which they expect, Mar_5:7 and which is more than some men do; and yet these shall not be saved, their damnation is certain and inevitable, 2Pe_2:4 wherefore it follows, that a bare historical faith will not profit, and cannot save any; a man may have all faith of this kind, and be damned; and therefore it is not to be boasted of, nor trusted to. John Gill comm.

So, how can anyone be saved? Peter gives the answer:
Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
Act 2:39  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 

Now, I'll ask again, to all who read this-who is Jesus Christ, to you?

Make up your mind. If Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh, which He is; you need to come to grips with this truth, decide if you are going to surrender your life to Him, open your heart, and let Him in, and repent of your sins. Then, be willing to stand for him openly, and without compromise. Or, get off the fence, and stop calling yourself a Christian-when even the demons know if your lying.

Get off the fence, stop calling yourself a Christian, when your mouth and your actions speak otherwise. It's time to take off the masks, and get real.
Lorna Couillard