Interesting observations by John MacArthur
The Bible makes it clear that those who are Genuinley Saved are righteous and Holy. They still sin, but with decreasing freuency. A true believer hates his sin (Romans 7:15-25) and repents of it. Hungering and thirsting for what is right, he obeys God, loves his brother, and hates the evil world system. No one can be a Christian and continue living the way he did before he came into a saving relationship with Christ.
True salvation does not come from water baptism, Church membership, religious activity, or spiritual pilimage. Salvation comes only by faith in Jesus Christ, which results in obedience from the heart. Faith is an inward reality that produces outward obedience. John MacArthur
I post the above offerings of John MacAthur as reminder, that just because one has been a church goer all his life it does not necessarily mean that he is actually a Christian. Many people attend church on a regular basis, have knowledge about the churches true head, Jesus Christ but do not have a relationship with Him.
Jesus Himself said “22 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:22-27). A Christian is a doer not just a hearer. Doing, is proof that God indwells us.
Steve