Daily Archives: February 20, 2015

Weekly Devotional 2-23-15 A False Sense of Security

Weekly Devotional 2-23-15 A False Sense of Security

Over the years I have talked with many who have been in the church most of their lives, from a youth to their present age. Many of these have not only been in the church, but have been actively engaged in its activities. Both are good things, but there is a danger of both. Some have been lulled into a false sense of security. They believe that they are right with God because of their long church membership or because of their many activities. Wasn’t this the situation with Nicodemus? He had moved up in the ranks of Judaism until he had become a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and a member of the Sanhedrin (see John 3:1-10). “This certainly should have been pleasing to God; he should have been able to stand righteous before God.” So he believed. But, he was not righteous. Jesus told him that unless he became born again, born of the Holy Spirit, he could neither see (understand) or enter the kingdom of heaven (John 3:3…5).

It is the same with Christ’s church. A person may have a great resume because of his long duration in the church and because of his many activities, but these things do not automatically qualify him for the kingdom of heaven. He must be born again by the Spirit of God. Man’s only qualifier is to believe what God has said regarding sin, and that without God’s mercy he is eternally lost, and accept that God has provided the only means possible by which he can be made right, through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice.

Those who have spent nearly their whole lives in church, and have worked vigorously doing the things of the church but have not come to saving faith in Christ are just as lost as the person who has never walked through the doors of a church building. Satan has blinded their eyes causing them to believe that because of their many works and being members of the church they have been and are saved. However, Paul, the Lord’s apostle, said “8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV).

For by grace—by the unmerited favor of God a person is saved; Through faith—trusting in the work of Christ for salvation; Not of yourselves—saved not because of self-worthiness; The gift of God—salvation is freely given; Not of works—salvation cannot be earned or purchased by self-effort.

On the first Pentecost following the ascension of Jesus back into heaven, many of the Jews who heard Peter’s message concerning His death, burial and resurrection, asked him what they must do. To which he replied, “38 Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39 NKJV). They had been born into Judaism and at the age of thirteen they became responsible to live by and fulfill all of the Laws (the Torah’s) command. This is a life-long obligation, yet, when they heard Peter’s message they were pricked (convicted) in their heart that by following the Law they could not stand righteous before Holy God. Thus their question, what must we do?

This is what must happen in the life of those who have been reared in the church from their youth. At some point they must realize that church membership and a long term involvement with its activities does not qualify a person as being righteous before God. They must be born again, born from above, by the work of the Holy Spirit (see John 3:1-8; Ephesians 2:1-5).

God Bless

stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man

www.gbchurch.us www.foundationscounseling.org

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